Mt Hay and Hay Monolith
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs
4.6 km Circuit
273 m
Hard track
(0km) Mt Hay car park → Int. Valley Trk and Hay Wall Trk
590 m
13 mins
26m
-21m
Moderate track
From the car park, this walk heads past the gap in the train track-style fencing, passing a sign for ‘Butterbox Canyon’. The track traverses the saddle to rise up onto a flat area, continuing for approximately 20m to an intersection with a track to the left.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the rocky outcrop, keeping the ridgeline above and right of the track. After approximately 300m, the track leads away from the hill on the left, heading onto a low heath area (with the hill behind). The walk continues for approximately 50m towards the Grose Valley, coming to an intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the rocky outcrop, keeping the ridgeline above and right of the track. After approximately 300m, the track leads away from the hill on the left, heading onto a low heath area (with the hill behind). The walk continues for approximately 50m towards the Grose Valley, coming to an intersection.
(0.59km) Int. Valley Trk and Hay Wall Trk → Int. Hay Wall Trk and Hay Monolith summit Trk
240 m
5 mins
9m
-18m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down hill towards a small castle of rock, Mt Hay Monolith. The walk keeps the main valley to the right of the track. The track soon heads down some rocky surfaces to continue into a saddle. The walk heads across the saddle to a small, spherical cave (to the left of the track).
Veer right: From the spherical cave, this walk keeps the rock to the left of the track, heading towards the valley. The track leads around the base of the cliffs for approximately 80m before coming to a grassy pass into the cliff (on the left).
Veer right: From the spherical cave, this walk keeps the rock to the left of the track, heading towards the valley. The track leads around the base of the cliffs for approximately 80m before coming to a grassy pass into the cliff (on the left).
(0.83km) Int. Hay Wall Trk and Hay Monolith summit Trk → Hay Monolith summit
80 m
3 mins
16m
-2m
Moderate track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up through the grassy pass in the rock, away from the valley. The track leads across the plateau through the low heath, passing a track (on the right) after approximately 50m. The walk soon comes to a flat rock with two bolts in it, where there are stunning views over the Grose Valley. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
(0.83km) Int. Hay Wall Trk and Hay Monolith summit Trk → Hay Monolith West
150 m
5 mins
14m
-25m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads around the cliffs (keeping them on the left of the track, and the Grose Valley to the right). After approximately 50m, the walk passes another track (on the left, heading up the monolith). This walk continues around the base of the cliffs and above the valley for approximately 100m, to the intersection in front of a fin-shaped rock.
(0.98km) Hay Monolith West → Hay Wall Lookout
250 m
8 mins
7m
-64m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, leaving the Hay Monolith behind and nearing the rim of the valley (on the right). The track passes a large, grey, rounded rock formation on the right, heading in the direction of the cliff edge, to a rocky point on the right of two banksia bushes, with stunning views of the valley. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
(0.98km) Hay Monolith West → Rock Flat
410 m
9 mins
34m
-13m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down over some rocky surfaces (with the cliffs to the left and valley behind). The track continues below the cliffs, passing a few small caves on the left. After a short time, this walk rounds the hillside to a spherical cave on the left of the intersection, and a saddle to the right.
Turn right: From the spherical cave, this walk traverses a grassy saddle, keeping the valley to the left of the track. The track climbs up some rocky surfaces, then heads east up the spur line, coming to the intersection in the low heath.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads across the hillside, keeping the main valley below to the left, and the hill to the right of the track. The walk reaches a rock surface and tends right towards the intersection.
Turn right: From the spherical cave, this walk traverses a grassy saddle, keeping the valley to the left of the track. The track climbs up some rocky surfaces, then heads east up the spur line, coming to the intersection in the low heath.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads across the hillside, keeping the main valley below to the left, and the hill to the right of the track. The walk reaches a rock surface and tends right towards the intersection.
(1.39km) Rock Flat → Int. Swamp View Trk and Mt Hay Trk
470 m
9 mins
9m
-21m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up onto the ridgeline, with Mt Hay to the left of the track. The track then follows the ridgeline, undulating slightly for approximately 200m before dropping down the intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the overgrown management trail up the hill, keeping the rocky outcrops on the hill to the left and the large hill, Mt Hay, directly ahead of the track. The track heads down to an unsigned intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the overgrown management trail up the hill, keeping the rocky outcrops on the hill to the left and the large hill, Mt Hay, directly ahead of the track. The track heads down to an unsigned intersection.
(1.86km) Int. Swamp View Trk and Mt Hay Trk → Mt Hay summit
1.2 km
33 mins
133m
-30m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the management trail towards Mt Hay, with the Grose valley some distance off to the left. The trail tends right for approximately 50m to a rocky surface, where the track rounds a rock outcrop on the right-hand side. The trail slowly winds down the hill and across a saddle protected by trees. The walk then turns into a single track up the hill leading to Mt Hay. The track heads up to a small knoll and continues to an informal lookout marked by a prominent rock feature on the left.
Continue straight: From the ribbed rock feature lookout, this walk heads around a rocky outcrop to lead up the hill, keeping the Grose valley some distance off to the left. The walk leads up the hill through the trees to climb two small rock surfaces – These are marked by small cairns. The track continues up the hill, passing a rock landing on the left covered by moss. The walk heads up through a grassy area where the track becomes undefined. The walk continues for approximately 100m up the hill to an area of soccer ball-sized rocks and grass. The track leads up past a knoll made by these rocks (the knoll is to the right of the track), coming to the large cairn on the summit.
Continue straight: From the ribbed rock feature lookout, this walk heads around a rocky outcrop to lead up the hill, keeping the Grose valley some distance off to the left. The walk leads up the hill through the trees to climb two small rock surfaces – These are marked by small cairns. The track continues up the hill, passing a rock landing on the left covered by moss. The walk heads up through a grassy area where the track becomes undefined. The walk continues for approximately 100m up the hill to an area of soccer ball-sized rocks and grass. The track leads up past a knoll made by these rocks (the knoll is to the right of the track), coming to the large cairn on the summit.
Mt Hay
Mt Hay, Blue Mountains National Park, is a large basalt-capped mountain, which creates a more fertile environment for different plant species. The mountain is accessed by Mt Hay Rd, with a defined bush track which leads to the top.
At the top of Mt Hay, there is a large cairn, made from basalt bricks from the surrounding prominent knoll, which is the highest point. Excellent views are gained into the Grose Valley, from the track up Mt Hay, however the summit itself does not have views, blocked by the tree canopy.
(3.07km) Mt Hay summit → Mt Hay car park
1.5 km
40 mins
48m
-146m
Hard track
Turn around: From the cairn on the summit of Mt Hay, this walk heads south down the hill. The track continues approximately 100m down the hill through an area of soccer ball-sized rocks and grass. The walk heads down the hill to lead out of the grass, passing a rock landing (on the right) which is covered in moss. The track leads down the hill to descend two small rock surfaces which are marked by cairns. The track then tends right to a ribbed rock feature on the right.
Continue straight: From the rock feature (on the right), this walk heads down the hill with the Grose valley some distance off to the right of the track. The walk continues down a single track away from Mt Hay, leading across a saddle protected by trees, then follows an overgrown management trail which tends left around a rocky outcrop (on the right). The walk then tends right for approximately 50m to continue on to the intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the overgrown management trail up the hill, keeping the rocky outcrops of the hill to the right of the track. The track climbs over a small rise to descend to the unsigned intersection with a defined track on the right.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, keeping the rocky features on the right for approximately 20m to the intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the rocky outcrops on the hill to traverse the saddle and rise up to the car park.
Continue straight: From the rock feature (on the right), this walk heads down the hill with the Grose valley some distance off to the right of the track. The walk continues down a single track away from Mt Hay, leading across a saddle protected by trees, then follows an overgrown management trail which tends left around a rocky outcrop (on the right). The walk then tends right for approximately 50m to continue on to the intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the overgrown management trail up the hill, keeping the rocky outcrops of the hill to the right of the track. The track climbs over a small rise to descend to the unsigned intersection with a defined track on the right.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, keeping the rocky features on the right for approximately 20m to the intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the rocky outcrops on the hill to traverse the saddle and rise up to the car park.
Maps for the Mt Hay and Hay Monolith 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.
| Katoomba | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89301S KATOOMBA | NSW-89301S |
| Mount Wilson | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89301N MOUNT WILSON | NSW-89301N |
| Katoomba | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8930 KATOOMBA | 8930 |
Cross sectional view of the Mt Hay and Hay Monolith bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mt Hay and Hay Monolith
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 | 4.6 km | ||
| Time | 2 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 | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
Around 3.8km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 860m is very steep.
Quality of track
Around 2.4km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely, whilst the remaining 2.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 2.4km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 2.2km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 2.4km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 4.6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 2.4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged), whilst the remaining 2.2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Mt Hay and Hay Monolith walk starts and ends at the Mt Hay car park (gps: -33.629907, 150.40203)Your main transport option to Mt Hay car park is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/mhahm
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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