Conservation Hut to Empress Falls
Download & Print Map and Notes1 Hr
145 m
Hard track
Conservation Hut
(0km) Conservation Hut → Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks
320 m
8 mins
2m
-75m
Moderate 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
Queen Victoria Lookout
(0.32km) Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks → Empress Lookout
60 m
2 mins
0m
-18m
Easy track
Empress Lookout
(0.38km) Empress Lookout → Empress Falls Crossing
180 m
6 mins
16m
-34m
Hard 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
(0.56km) Empress Falls Crossing → Lodore Falls
70 m
2 mins
0m
-9m
Hard track
Lodore Falls
Sylvia Falls
Maps for the Conservation Hut to Empress Falls 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 to Empress Falls bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Conservation Hut to Empress Falls
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 | 1.1 km | ||
Time | 1 Hr | ||
. | |||
Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
Quality of track | Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) | ||
Signs | Clearly signposted (1/6) | ||
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
350m of this walk has short steep hills and another 110m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (90m) is very steep.
Quality of track
Around 500m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 55m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
This whole walk, 560m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 380m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 180m requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 470m of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 85m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 290m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 270m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Similar walks
Other Nearby walks
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Conservation Hut to Empress Falls walk starts and ends at the Conservation Hut (gps: -33.720216, 150.3629)Your transport options to Conservation Hut 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
Short URL = http://wild.tl/chtef
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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