Scenic Railway to Mt Solitary via the Ruined Castle

Download & Print Map and Notes

11 hrs

16.2 km Return

1345 m

Experienced only
One of the longer day-walks in the Katoomba area, this track goes from the very popular Scenic World to the fantastic lookout on top of the Ruined Castle and then on to the amazing Mt Solitary. Be prepared for a long, but amazing, day of viewing the Jamison Valley. Make sure you are back to catch the train up in time, or be prepared to walk out one of the alternate routes, either via Furber Steps or via the Golden Staircase.* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

Maps for the Scenic Railway to Mt Solitary via the Ruined Castle 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 Scenic Railway to Mt Solitary via the Ruined Castle bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Scenic Railway to Mt Solitary via the Ruined Castle

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 16.2 km
Time 11 hrs
.




Grade 5/6



Experienced only
AS 2156.1 Gradient Very steep and difficult scrambles (5/6)
Quality of track Rough unclear track (5/6)
Signs No directional signs (5/6)
Experience Required High level of bushwalking experience recommended (5/6)
Weather Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
Infrastructure No facilities provided (5/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2.7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 2.1km is very steep and a 590m section is very steep with difficult rock scrambles. The remaining 490m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.1km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 590m follows a rough unclear track and the remaining 490m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 2.4km has minimal directional signs. Whilst another 490m is clearly signposted and the remaining 200m Has no directional signs.

Experience Required

3.7km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 2.4km requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. Whilst another 2km requires no previous bushwalking experience and the remaining 200m requires a leader with a high level of bushwalking experience.

weather

6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation) and another 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety. The remaining (930m) is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 1.7km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). Whilst another 490m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and the remaining 200m has no facilities provided.

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Scenic Railway to Mt Solitary via the Ruined Castle walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Scenic Railway to Mt Solitary via the Ruined Castle walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Scenic Railway to Mt Solitary via the Ruined Castle walk starts and ends at the Scenic World (gps: -33.728585, 150.30095)
Your transport options to Scenic World are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)




Fire Danger

Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Comments

 


Short URL = http://wild.tl/srtmsvtrc


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 🙂