Ruined Castle Walk
Download & Print Map and Notes
5 hrs
7.9 km Return
666 m
Hard track
(0km) Golden Stairs Track carpark → Bottings Lookout
210 m
8 mins
9m
-80m
Moderate track
From the Golden Stairs car park and information sign on Glenraphael Dr[1], the walk follows the ‘Golden Stairs / To Federal Pass’ sign[2] along the narrow track. The track leads gently downhill[3] past the black and yellow ‘Warning – Sections of the Golden Stairs are unfenced and can be slippery when wet’ sign[4], with the occasional glimpse out to Malaita Point and towards the Three Sisters[5][6]. The walk soon heads down a few steep eroded sections of track[7] and passes through a couple of switchbacks. The track then leads to a fenced rock platform[8] signposted as ‘Botting’s L.O.’[9].
Botting’s Lookout
Botting’s Lookout[10] offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985)[11], a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District. More info.
(0.21km) Bottings Lookout → Bottom of Golden Staircase
430 m
19 mins
41m
-177m
Hard track
Turn right: From the lower side of Botting’s Lookout[12], this walk heads downhill along the eroded track[13]. The walk follows the steps through a narrow gully[14] then turns right to flatten out[15] and head under a small overhang between the cliff and fence (passing a ‘Caution Rockfall Hazard’ sign[16]). After about 100m of fence, the track turns right to cross a wide gully[17]. On the other side of the gully, this walk climbs down a series of metal[18] and stone[19] staircases. The walk flattens again before heading down another series of stairs. Finally, the track winds down the wide spur[20] to meet the signposted T-intersection with ‘Federal Pass’[21].
(0.64km) Bottom of Golden Staircase → Miners Campsite
2.3 km
51 mins
104m
-129m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Federal Pass – Ruined Castle’ sign[22] along the flat wide track, keeping the valley to your left. This track follows the old horse-drawn coal tram route. The track leads through a tall rainforest filled with fern trees[23] and vines[24], with the occasional lyrebird. After about 1.3km the forest opens up[25], letting in more light and exposing some distant filtered views. After wandering through the more open forest[26] for about 250m, the track passes a small campsite[27] (on the right). This walk continues for another 700m along the main track through the bracken fern forest[28] to find a larger campsite[29] (just up to the right) with a short stone wall on one side[30]).
Miners Campsite
This flat campsite beside the Federal Pass walking track about 2.2km south of the intersection at the bottom of the Golden Stairs. There is short constructed stone wall[31] left over from when there area was habited by miners. The campsite is surrounded by a tall forest, bracken ferns and some nice fern trees. There is no water or facilities.
(2.9km) Miners Campsite → Northern Ruined Castle campsite
300 m
7 mins
16m
-11m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the miners campsite[32], this walk follows the clear track south-west, keeping the valley to your left. The mostly flat track narrows a bit as it leads past a large flat area (on your right) after about 140m[33], then past a smaller campsite[34] a short distance later. The track then winds through the forest for another 100m to come to a clearing and signposted three-way intersection[35], where there is a ‘Federal Pass – Katoomba’ sign[36] pointing back along the track. (There is a campsite a few metres further on and to the the left[37].)
Northern Ruined Castle campsite
A short distance south east of the intersection[38] with the Federal Pass and the northern access track to the Ruined Castle, is a fairly large basic campsite. There are two main flat areas for camping, both with fire scares[39]. The area is surround with tall trees and ferns[40][41][42][43]. There is no water nor any other facilities.
(3.2km) Northern Ruined Castle campsite → Ruined Castle
730 m
20 mins
82m
-17m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Ruined Castle’[44] sign uphill along the eroded track and soon passes the yellow ‘Warning – Remote area indistinct route steep terrain – Exposed climbing loose surfaces – No reliable water Carry plenty Sterilise any water found on route’ sign[45]. The track winds up the wide valley getting steeper as it goes, climbing up onto the main ridgeline. Here the walk turns left (away from the view of Castle Head[46]) and follows the rocky track more gently uphill for about 220m to pass under the side of a large boulder[47]. The track continues along the narrow ridge for about 280m, with some filtered views past another large boulder to the base of the tall Ruined Castle summit[48]. Here the walk heads gently down a bit (keeping the rock wall to your left), past a crevice[49], then follows the main track to the other (southern) side of the summit. The track then heads up again to find a number of rocky pinnacles[50].
(3.93km) Ruined Castle → Northern Ruined Castle campsite
1.3 km
35 mins
78m
-145m
Experienced only
Continue straight: From near the summit of Ruined Castle[51], this walk heads south-east along the main ridgeline, initially keeping the rock wall to your left[52]. The track follows the rocky ridgeline gently downhill[53] and after about 70m the track starts to become much steeper[54]. The track winds down, flattening out for a short time[55] before continuing steeply down to a sign posted three-way intersection[56] just beyond the ‘Ruined Castle to Mount Solitary’ map[57]. There is a ‘Ruined Castle’ arrow[58] here, pointing back up the hill.
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Katoomba’ sign[59][60] along the mostly flat and clear track[61], keeping the main valley to your right. The track almost immediately passes a campsite[62] (down a steep track on your right) and continues along the flat through the ferny forest[63]. A little over 200m later, the track passes a large square boulder[64], then about 100m further, this walk comes to an intersection[65], where there is a fair amount of coal on the ground[66], a campsite down to your right[67] and the entrance to an old small coal mine[68] (behind a rock) on your left.
Continue straight: From the intersection[69], this walk heads along the main track[70] initially keeping the campsite[71] down to your right. The clear track is mostly flat and passes through a tall turpentine forest[72] for about 500m before passing another campsite[73] (on your right). Then, just a few metres further on, this walk comes to a signposted three-way intersection[74] where a sign points back along the track to ‘Mount Solitary’[75]. Now Turn left to rejoin the main walk .
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Katoomba’ sign[59][60] along the mostly flat and clear track[61], keeping the main valley to your right. The track almost immediately passes a campsite[62] (down a steep track on your right) and continues along the flat through the ferny forest[63]. A little over 200m later, the track passes a large square boulder[64], then about 100m further, this walk comes to an intersection[65], where there is a fair amount of coal on the ground[66], a campsite down to your right[67] and the entrance to an old small coal mine[68] (behind a rock) on your left.
Continue straight: From the intersection[69], this walk heads along the main track[70] initially keeping the campsite[71] down to your right. The clear track is mostly flat and passes through a tall turpentine forest[72] for about 500m before passing another campsite[73] (on your right). Then, just a few metres further on, this walk comes to a signposted three-way intersection[74] where a sign points back along the track to ‘Mount Solitary’[75]. Now Turn left to rejoin the main walk .
Maps for the Ruined Castle Walk walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Six Foot Track | 1:50 000 Map Series | Six Foot Track | NSW-six-foot-track |
| Jamison | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89302N JAMISON | NSW-89302N |
| Katoomba | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89301S KATOOMBA | NSW-89301S |
| Katoomba | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8930 KATOOMBA | 8930 |
Cross sectional view of the Ruined Castle Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Ruined Castle Walk
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 7.9 km | ||
| Time | 5 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6) | ||
| Weather | Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
2.6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.2km is very steep. The remaining (210m) has short steep hills.
Quality of track
Around 3.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 730m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
3km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 730m has minimal directional signs. The remaining (210m) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
3km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 730m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (210m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 3.2km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 730m is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 3.7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 210m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Ruined Castle Walk walk starts and ends at the Golden Stairs Track carpark (gps: -33.734348, 150.28237)Your main transport option to Golden Stairs Track carpark is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/gstrc
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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