The Grand Cliff Top Walk
For outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, the Blue Mountains offer a treasure trove of hikes, enough to keep anyone occupied for years. From easy strolls to adrenaline-pumping extremes, this region offers endless exploration. Yet, despite all this variety, I’d only scratched the surface. That was until the news of the Grand Cliff Top Walk popped up in my social media feed, igniting my curiosity and sparking the idea for a hiking weekend with friends.
Opened in early 2024, the Grand Cliff Top Walk is not entirely new but a combination of pre-existing tracks that have been stitched together into one seamless trail. Although it’s promoted as a two-day experience (perhaps to encourage overnight stays), the 20-kilometer route can easily be conquered in a single day—at least, that was our plan!
Our adventure began early in the day at Wentworth Falls. Following the distinct black cockatoo emblem on the wayfinding signs, it wasn’t long before we found ourselves on the edge of a towering precipice, gazing down into the breathtaking Jamison Valley. The vastness of the view is humbling, a sheer drop of ancient sandstone cliffs leading to a sea of green treetops stretching to the horizon.
While the Grand Cliff Top Walk strives to be a unified track, it’s still a work in progress. Some sections are closed due to recent flood damage, and parts of the trail require detours onto nearby roads. Even the cockatoo symbols that guide the way seem to lose their sense of direction at times, with confusing or poorly marked sections testing our navigational skills. But for hikers, these challenges are part of the fun.
Sometimes it is the detail that makes hiking special with the native flora and fauna putting on a show.
The trail isn’t only about sweeping views of the Blue Mountains. In several parts, it descends into lush, rainforest-clad gullies, with waterfalls both near and far to admire. We were treated to the sights of Wentworth Falls, Gordon Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Katoomba Falls, Empress Falls, and the ever-serene Leura Cascades—each one offering a moment of tranquil beauty amidst the rugged bushland.
Although much of the hike allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Australian bush, the proximity to suburbia is never too far away. Emerging from stretches of dry sclerophyll forest, we would sometimes hear the unmistakable sound of “Fore!” as we passed by the Fairmont Resort and the Leura Golf Course. These reminders of civilization are even more pronounced as the hike ends, transitioning from tranquil bushland to the throng of tourists snapping selfies at the Three Sisters lookout. The paved viewing platform, large enough to land a jumbo jet, is a stark contrast to the quiet solitude we experienced earlier on the trail.
Despite a few closed sections and the occasional suburban reminder, the Grand Cliff Top Walk was a great way to spend time with friends. And it also allowed us an excuse to relax and enjoy some heard earned drinks at the end of the day.
