Jenolan Cottages to Caves
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs
4.6 km One way
103 m
Hard track
Jenolan Caves Cottages
Located 9km from Jenolan Caves by road, Jenolan Caves Cottages offers eight well presented self contained timber cottages for guests to stay in. Each is fully insulated and furnished, with lounge, kitchen, two bedrooms and linen. The is a large flat grassy area in front with often with kangaroos grazing and with a children’s playground. For more information call the Jenolan Caves on 1300 763 311. The cottages have a two night minimum stay and prices are from around $130 per night per cabin.
(0km) Jenolan Caves Cottages Administration → Jenolan Caves Cottages
540 m
11 mins
17m
-18m
Easy track
From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Cottages’ sign[3] along the driveway past the ’20’ km/h speed limit sign, initially keeping the office/house to your left[4]. The driveway leads over a small rise then heads downhill for about 300m to pass a toilet block[5]. Here the walk stays on the driveway as it bends left[6] and continues beside the clearing[7] to come beside the cottages[8].
(0.54km) Jenolan Caves Cottages → Int of 6 ft track and Mt George Firetrail
2.8 km
58 mins
42m
-232m
Hard track
Continue straight: From beside Jenolan Caves Cottages[9], this walk heads gently uphill along driveway[10] (initially keeping the cottages to your right) for about 60m to walk around the metal gate beside ‘Six Foot Track’ sign[11]. This walk continues along this mostly flat trail for 350m through tall wooded forest to a T-intersection marked with a ‘Kia-ora Hill Fire Trail’ sign[12]. This walk turns right and follows ‘Six Foot Track’ sign[13] gently down along the trail for about 300m to find a fairly large flat clearing[14]. The walk continues along the trail which generally leads downhill along the ridge line for 1.5km to where the trail moves to the side of the steep valley (on your right)[15]. The trail begins to become steeper then after 400m the trail leads particularly steeply down along the rocky trail[16] for about 600m. Here the trial flattens out on a saddle with a Y-intersection marked with a ‘Six Foot Track’ sign (pointing right) and a ‘Mt George’ sign (pointing ahead)[17].
(3.34km) Int of 6FT and Mt George trail → Int of 6FT and Carlotta Arch Track
870 m
24 mins
23m
-170m
Hard track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Six Foot Track’ sign[18] downhill along the narrowing track, keeping the steep wide valley to your right. After about 25m the track leads between two timber posts[19] and continues fairly steeply down the side of the valley with glimpses to the cave buildings for 500m where the track flattens out a bit and heads under a solid gum tree leaning over the track[20]. The track continues leading downhill for another 300m to cross a narrow saddle and along a very narrow ridge[21] where there are good views down to Blue Lake[22] (on your left). The track now leads down some timber steps for about 50m to a T-intersection[23] with a gravel path where a ‘Six Foot Track’ sign points back uphill.
(4.22km) Int of 6FT and Carlotta Arch Track → Carlotta Arch Lookout
10 m
0m
0m
Very easy
(4.23km) Top of Carlotta Arch Steps → Bottom of Carlotta Arch Steps
30 m
1 mins
1m
0m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk goes down the stairs until coming to the entrance of the cave. On the way, this walk goes under the towering Carlotta’s Arch. The lookout has great views of the valley and Blue Lake. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
Carlotta Arch
Carlotta Arch is a large and spectacular cave remnant overlooking Blue Lake. It is believed that the arch was named in honour of a daughter of a surveyor – General P.F. Adams. Adams is credited with having taken some of the earliest photos at Jenolan.
(4.23km) Carlotta Arch Lookout → Caves House
410 m
12 mins
21m
-74m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the fenced lookout near ‘Carlotta Arch’[27][28], this walk follows the ‘Caves House’ sign gently uphill along the stone path[29] with handrail. The path leads over a small rise to a view into another valley. Here the path begins to zig zag fairly steeply downhill for 150m beside the limestone cliffs[30] passing views down to Caves House[31], past a bench seat[32] to a ‘Caves House’ information sign[33]. The path continues more gently downhill for another 100m past the ‘Grand Arch’ information sign (and view of the Arch)[34] then just over 30m later to the ‘Southside Show Caves’ information sign[35]. The path continues down the side of the valley for another 80m to head down some concrete steps to the side of Jenolan Caves Road[36], opposite Caves House[37], where a ‘Six Foot Track’ sign points up the steps[38]. The official end of the Six Foot Track.
Jenolan Caves House
Jenolan Caves House, built in 1898, is a heritage-listed building which houses dining, a variety of accommodation options, and other services for visitors to the caves. Jenolan has two licensed restaurants: Trails Bistro is open from breakfast onwards and closes early evening. Trails serves a range of light meals including sandwiches, salads and hot food. Chisholm’s Restaurant is open each morning for breakfast and each evening for dinner from 6.00pm. Essential items and beautiful souvenirs may be purchased from Things Jenolan, located on the ground floor of Caves House. Don’t forget to explore one of the many caves to explore in the area. For more information, call Jenolan Caves on 1300 76 33 11.
Maps for the Jenolan Cottages to Caves 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 |
| Jenolan | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89303N JENOLAN | NSW-89303N |
| Katoomba | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8930 KATOOMBA | 8930 |
Cross sectional view of the Jenolan Cottages to Caves bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Jenolan Cottages to Caves
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 | 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 | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| 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
3.7km of this walk is very steep and another 540m has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 410m has short steep hills and the remaining 15m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
3.3km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 870m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (430m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 3.7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 970m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 3.8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 870m requires some 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 3.8km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 870m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Jenolan Cottages to Caves walk starts at the Jenolan Caves Cottages Administration (gps: -33.785898, 150.02527)Your main transport option to Jenolan Caves Cottages Administration is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
The Jenolan Cottages to Caves ends at the Caves House (gps: -33.820325, 150.02117)
Your main transport option to Caves House is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/jctc
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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