Conservation Hut, National Pass, Wentworth Pass Circuit
Download & Print Map and Notes
4 hrs
4.8 km Circuit
913 m
Hard track
Closed:
Conservation Hut
Conservation Hut is a small cafe perched above the Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains National Park. The hut was opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the local conservation movement. Rebuilt, Conservation Hut opened as a cafe in 1993, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Around the Conservation Hut is a small parking area, public toilets, picnic shelters, town water and B&B’s. For further information or bookings call (02) 4757 3827. More info.
(0km) Conservation Hut → Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks
320 m
8 mins
2m
-75m
Moderate track
From Conservation Hut, this walk follows the ‘Valley of the Waters’ sign down some timber and dirt steps passing a couple of picnic shelters. The track soon leads to the signposted intersection with the ‘Short Cut Track’ (still in view of the Conservation Hut).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Valley of the Waters’ sign down the steps, passing an information sign. After the handrail and more signs, the track passes a couple of faint tracks (on the left, leading to an old picnic area). Further down the steps, the walk comes the end of another handrail and a three-way intersection (signposted ‘Overcliff Track’ and ‘National Pass’).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘National Pass – Valley of the Waters’ sign down the timber steps. The track passes a few faint tracks (on the left, that lead to an unfenced view point). The walk continues down the steps, soon coming to an unsignposted intersection with the Lyrebird Cliff track (on a small sandstone rock platform).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the wooden steps to almost immediately come to the signposted intersection with ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Valley of the Waters’ sign down the steps, passing an information sign. After the handrail and more signs, the track passes a couple of faint tracks (on the left, leading to an old picnic area). Further down the steps, the walk comes the end of another handrail and a three-way intersection (signposted ‘Overcliff Track’ and ‘National Pass’).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘National Pass – Valley of the Waters’ sign down the timber steps. The track passes a few faint tracks (on the left, that lead to an unfenced view point). The walk continues down the steps, soon coming to an unsignposted intersection with the Lyrebird Cliff track (on a small sandstone rock platform).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the wooden steps to almost immediately come to the signposted intersection with ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ track.
(0.32km) Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks → Queen Victoria Lookout
20 m
1 mins
0m
-17m
Easy track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ sign down the steps towards the handrail. Soon the track passes a small lookout on the left and, shortly afterwards, the fence leads to the rock platform and fenced ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
Queen Victoria Lookout
The Queen Victoria Lookout is perched above the Valley of the Waters, south-west of Conservation Hut. The fenced lookout has views into the narrow section of the valley. The views are made more dramatic by the roar of the waterfalls below and the mists which frequent the area. Empress Falls are only just visible – the main views extend down Jamison Valley. Kings Tableland (left) and Sublime Point(right) dominate the views and the eastern edge of Mount Solitary and beyond is also visible.
(0.32km) Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks → Empress Lookout
60 m
2 mins
0m
-18m
Easy track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps away from ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ keeping the rock face to the right. The track soon passes under a sandstone overhang and then down more steps to come to the fenced and signposted ‘Empress Lookout’.
Empress Lookout
Empress Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout, perched on a sandstone overhang above the Valley of the Waters Creek. There is a view down to part of the Empress Falls and into the canyon. The views are filtered through the surrounding trees. It makes for a good spot to catch your breath when walking into, or out of, the Valley of the Waters.
(0.38km) Empress Lookout → Int of Valley of the Waters and Nature Tracks
90 m
4 mins
12m
-20m
Hard track
Turn right: From Empress Lookout, this walk heads down the wooden steps, keeping the handrail and valley to the left. Soon the walk heads downs a series of steep metal staircases that zigzag down the hill. At the bottom of the staircases, the walk follows the handrail through a long sandstone overhang. The track then heads down some steps to come to an intersection with the ‘Nature Track’ and a sign pointing back to ‘National Pass – Tea Rooms’.
(0.47km) Int of Valley of the Waters and Nature Tracks → Empress Falls Crossing
90 m
2 mins
4m
-14m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘National Pass – Valley of the Waters’ sign down the lower track (with the valley initially to the right). The walk heads down the steps following the handrail and, soon after the sharp right bend, the walk crosses Isabel Creek using the stepping stones. Soon, the walk heads down a timber staircase, through a sandstone overhang and winds down the stone steps. After passing a great view of Empress Falls, the track crosses the Valley of the Waters Creek in front of Empress Falls using the stepping stones. (These creeks may not be passable after rain)
Empress Falls
Empress Falls is a spectacular waterfall in the Valley of the Waters. The Valley of the Water Creek comes out of the slot in the cliff and tumbles down a series of cliffs to a sandy pool. The fall is the site of the last abseil in a popular canyon, making a great site for walkers in the area. Stepping stones help walkers cross below the falls. There is a small overhang next to the falls, giving the area shade and offering a great place to rest.
(0.56km) Empress Falls Crossing → Lodore Falls
70 m
2 mins
0m
-9m
Hard track
Continue straight: From in front of Empress Falls, this walk heads downstream along the track, keeping the creek to the left. After passing the ‘Track’ sign (pointing back up to the falls), the walk heads down the steps (with handrail). Soon the steps lead to the base of a wide cascade – Sylvia Falls.
From Sylvia Falls, this walk heads downstream along the track, keeping the creek and handrail to the left. Soon after heading down a staircase, the walk comes to a creek crossing at the base of Lodore Falls.
Lodore Falls
Lodore Falls are a lovely set of falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek. The narrow falls have a staircase on one side and stepping stones (and handrail) crossing the bottom, making it easier for walkers to appreciate this waterfall from many angles. Just beyond the handrail, the water falls over another cliff, providing a great view down the valley.
(0.63km) Lodore Falls → Top of the Slack Stairs
1.5 km
1 hr 24 mins
411m
-424m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From Lodore Falls, this walk crosses the Valley Of the Waters Creek, keeping the handrail and main valley to the right (This creek may be impassable after rain). The walk then heads down the stairs under a small overhang to soon come to an intersection with Wentworth Pass and a ‘National Pass – Conservation Hut’ sign pointing back up.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘National Pass – Wentworth Falls’ sign up the steps, keeping the valley on the right. After a series of steps (that soon bend around), the walk climbs a staircase up the side of the cliff. At the top, the walk follows the ledge through the small overhangs to then wind along a stepping-stone path along the side of the valley. Passing a sandstone bench-seat, the walk passes a couple more handrailed sections and small creeks. The walk then opens up on a large clear ledge, with great views of Mount Solitary to the right. After passing another similar open ledge, the walk leads further along the cliff. Before long, the walk comes to another handrailed section, with a timber platform that heads behind a waterfall from Den Fenella Creek. From the Den Fenella Creek waterfall, this walk heads along the path, keeping the valley views to the right. Soon the track heads along a fairly open ledge and comes to a vantage point with great views into the valley. From here, the walk continues along the base of the cliff, mostly along stepping stones. After passing a few more small creeks, the walk comes to a ‘Y’ intersection at the top of the ‘Slack Stairs’, with a sign pointing back to ‘Valley of the Waters’.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘National Pass – Wentworth Falls’ sign up the steps, keeping the valley on the right. After a series of steps (that soon bend around), the walk climbs a staircase up the side of the cliff. At the top, the walk follows the ledge through the small overhangs to then wind along a stepping-stone path along the side of the valley. Passing a sandstone bench-seat, the walk passes a couple more handrailed sections and small creeks. The walk then opens up on a large clear ledge, with great views of Mount Solitary to the right. After passing another similar open ledge, the walk leads further along the cliff. Before long, the walk comes to another handrailed section, with a timber platform that heads behind a waterfall from Den Fenella Creek. From the Den Fenella Creek waterfall, this walk heads along the path, keeping the valley views to the right. Soon the track heads along a fairly open ledge and comes to a vantage point with great views into the valley. From here, the walk continues along the base of the cliff, mostly along stepping stones. After passing a few more small creeks, the walk comes to a ‘Y’ intersection at the top of the ‘Slack Stairs’, with a sign pointing back to ‘Valley of the Waters’.
(2.11km) Top of the Slack Stairs → Int of Wentworth Pass and Lower Wentworth Falls track
170 m
20 mins
13m
-165m
Hard track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Wentworth Pass Via Slack Stairs’ sign, down steps and soon down the steep metal stairs. While descending the cliffs, there are great views of the falls and the valley. The metal stairs come to a small boulder, with a rope attached. This walk scrambles down the boulder, then continues down the rough steps until reaching the intersection of the Lower Wentworth Fall track, at the ‘Wentworth Falls / Conservation Hut’ signpost.
(2.27km) Bottom of Wentworth Falls → Int of Valley of the Waters and Wentworth Pass Tracks
1.8 km
52 mins
207m
-150m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection , this walk follows the ‘Conservation Hut’ sign along the side of the hill. Soon the track passes a sign pointing back to the falls. The track turns to the right and follows the side of the hill until coming to a short, steep, rough descent and immediate climb. The track goes downhill slightly before scrambling across the front of a small waterfall. This walk continues around the side of the hill and generally stays flat, with the occasional short, steep sections. After some time, the track crosses the Valley of the Waters Creek using a couple of small metal bridges, then climbs up to an intersection, and signs for ‘Vera Falls’ and ‘Conservation Hut’.
(4.03km) Int of Valley of the Waters and Wentworth Pass Tracks → Int of Valley of the Waters and National Pass Tracks
100 m
9 mins
114m
-21m
Moderate track
Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Conservation Hut’ arrow along the bush track that winds up the valley. The walk climbs up some rock steps as it winds past another ‘Conservation Hut’ sign and crosses the creek at the large rocks. The walk then continues along the bush track that winds up the hill and away from the falls, zigzagging steeply up the side of the valley, then climbing some rock steps to the signposted intersection of the ‘National Pass’ track.
(4.12km) Int of Valley of the Waters and National Pass Tracks → Conservation Hut
660 m
19 mins
150m
-18m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘National Pass – Conservation Hut’ sign up the steps, keeping the creek to the left. After heading under the overhang and up the timber steps, the walk crosses the Valley Of the Waters Creek in front of Lodore Falls (using the stepping stones). This creek may be impassable after rain.
Continue straight: From Lodore Falls, this walk heads upstream, up the staircase, keeping the creek on the right. The steps climb to the base of a wider cascade – Sylvia Falls. From Sylvia Falls, this walk heads up the stairs, keeping the handrail and creek to the right. The path heads up the hill, passing a ‘Track’ sign before coming to a creek crossing in front of the tall Empress Falls.
Continue straight: From the bottom of Empress Falls, this walk crosses the creek using the stepping stones, keeping the handrail on the left. On the way up the hill, the walk passes closer to Empress Falls before zigzagging up to a sandstone overhang and timber staircase. At the top of the staircase, the walk crosses Isabel Creek using the stepping stones. The track then winds up the hill, soon coming to an intersection with the ‘Nature Track’ and a sign pointing back to ‘National Pass – Valley of the Waters’. (These creeks may not be passable after rain)
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the wooden steps, following the ‘National Pass – Tea Rooms’ sign. The walk soon heads though a long rock overhang to the base of a metal staircase. The walk climbs the series of steep metal staircases zigzagging up the hill. After climbing some wooden steps, the walk comes to the fenced and signposted ‘Empress Lookout’.
Turn left: From the Empress Lookout, this walk heads up the wooden steps away from the lookout. The walk heads up the hill, soon passing under a sandstone overhang then up more steps, coming to a ‘Y’ intersection with the signposted ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ track (on the right).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ up the set of stairs to almost immediately come to a ‘Y’ intersection with the unsignposted Lyrebird Cliff track (on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the timber and dirt steps, away from the valley views. The track passes a few faint tracks (on the right, that lead to an unfenced view point). The track soon comes to a signposted intersection with the ‘Overcliff Track’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘National Pass – Tea Rooms’ sign up the steps, with the handrail on the left. After a short time, the track passes a couple of faint tracks (on the right, leading to an old picnic area). Heading up the main steps, the walk passes another handrail (and signs) then an information sign, before coming to a three-way intersection with the ‘Shortcut Track’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the steps towards the building. The walk passes a couple of picnic shelters (on the right) before coming to the road and the front of the ‘Conservation Hut’.
Continue straight: From Lodore Falls, this walk heads upstream, up the staircase, keeping the creek on the right. The steps climb to the base of a wider cascade – Sylvia Falls. From Sylvia Falls, this walk heads up the stairs, keeping the handrail and creek to the right. The path heads up the hill, passing a ‘Track’ sign before coming to a creek crossing in front of the tall Empress Falls.
Continue straight: From the bottom of Empress Falls, this walk crosses the creek using the stepping stones, keeping the handrail on the left. On the way up the hill, the walk passes closer to Empress Falls before zigzagging up to a sandstone overhang and timber staircase. At the top of the staircase, the walk crosses Isabel Creek using the stepping stones. The track then winds up the hill, soon coming to an intersection with the ‘Nature Track’ and a sign pointing back to ‘National Pass – Valley of the Waters’. (These creeks may not be passable after rain)
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the wooden steps, following the ‘National Pass – Tea Rooms’ sign. The walk soon heads though a long rock overhang to the base of a metal staircase. The walk climbs the series of steep metal staircases zigzagging up the hill. After climbing some wooden steps, the walk comes to the fenced and signposted ‘Empress Lookout’.
Turn left: From the Empress Lookout, this walk heads up the wooden steps away from the lookout. The walk heads up the hill, soon passing under a sandstone overhang then up more steps, coming to a ‘Y’ intersection with the signposted ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ track (on the right).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from ‘Queen Victoria Lookout’ up the set of stairs to almost immediately come to a ‘Y’ intersection with the unsignposted Lyrebird Cliff track (on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the timber and dirt steps, away from the valley views. The track passes a few faint tracks (on the right, that lead to an unfenced view point). The track soon comes to a signposted intersection with the ‘Overcliff Track’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘National Pass – Tea Rooms’ sign up the steps, with the handrail on the left. After a short time, the track passes a couple of faint tracks (on the right, leading to an old picnic area). Heading up the main steps, the walk passes another handrail (and signs) then an information sign, before coming to a three-way intersection with the ‘Shortcut Track’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the steps towards the building. The walk passes a couple of picnic shelters (on the right) before coming to the road and the front of the ‘Conservation Hut’.
Maps for the Conservation Hut, National Pass, Wentworth Pass Circuit 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 |
| Katoomba | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8930 KATOOMBA | 8930 |
Cross sectional view of the Conservation Hut, National Pass, Wentworth Pass Circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Conservation Hut, National Pass, Wentworth Pass Circuit
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 | 4.8 km | ||
| Time | 4 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| 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
4km of this walk has short steep hills and another 500m is very steep. The remaining (270m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
2.9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.7km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (110m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 3.4km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.4km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 4km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 760m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 2.7km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 2.1km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 2.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 2.4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Conservation Hut, National Pass, Wentworth Pass Circuit walk starts and ends at the Conservation Hut (gps: -33.720216, 150.3629)Your main transport option to Conservation Hut is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/chnpwpc
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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