McKeowns Valley Walk

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.8203805,150.0209901)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Great Western Highway, A32 Turn on to then drive for 105 m Turn slight left onto Jenolan Caves Road, 1 and drive for another 46 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the opposite side of the Jenolan Caves Road from Caves House, this walk follows the 'Six Foot Track' sign up the concrete steps. The walk then follows the stone footpath up the side of the valley for about 80m to pass the 'Southside Show Caves' information sign then just over 30m later to the 'Grand Arch' information sign (and view of the Arch). The walk continues fairly gently up the path for 100m (as it bends right) to find 'Caves House' information sign. The path soon starts leading much more steeply up as it begins to Zig Zag up past a seat and more views down to caves house for 150m beside the limestone cliffs. At the top of this climb the path leads over a small small rise then gently down to a fenced lookout beside 'Carlotta Arch'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 70 m find the "Jenolan Caves House" (25 m on your right). 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. After another 95 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right). After another 8 m pass the "Tickets and Guide Office" (20 m on your right). After another 255 m find the "Carlotta Arch" (50 m on your right). 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.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Bottom of Carlotta Arch Steps. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Continue straight.
	After another 15 m veer left.
	After another 30 m turn right. After another 225 m cross the ford. After another 80 m cross the ford. After another 90 m cross the ford. Then cross the ford. After another 590 m cross the ford.
	Continue another 65 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 1.5 km to get back to the start.

An optional side trip to Bottom of Carlotta Arch Steps.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 10 m head through the tunnel (about 35 m long) Then come to the cave. After another 25 m come to a gate. A cave.
	The end. "Carlotta Arch". 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. About 70 m past the end is "De Burghs Bridge". De Burghs Bridge The bridge spanning out from the Grand Arch was designed by Mr Ernest M. De Burgh, and built by the Public Works Department in 1896. The bridge allowed greater access to the caves and was built from locally cut limestone. About 110 m past the end is "Blue Lake". Blue Lake Blue Lake, or Lake Jenolan, is a small lake on the eastern side of the Grand Arch. The lake is fed by the River Styx and the Jenolan River. Blue Lake's intense colour comes from the refraction of light through limestone sediments. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 60 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 10 m head through the tunnel (about 35 m long)

Then come to the cave.

After another 25 m come to a gate.

A cave.

The end.

"Carlotta Arch".

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.

About 70 m past the end is "De Burghs Bridge".

De Burghs Bridge

The bridge spanning out from the Grand Arch was designed by Mr Ernest M. De Burgh, and built by the Public Works Department in 1896. The bridge allowed greater access to the caves and was built from locally cut limestone.

About 110 m past the end is "Blue Lake".

Blue Lake

Blue Lake, or Lake Jenolan, is a small lake on the eastern side of the Grand Arch. The lake is fed by the River Styx and the Jenolan River. Blue Lake's intense colour comes from the refraction of light through limestone sediments.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 60 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

McKeowns Valley Walk

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	3 km
Time	1 h 30 min to 3 h

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 170 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	170 m	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on 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.

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.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Jenolan Caves Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Wednesday 3 July
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers on and east of the ranges, most likely later tonight. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h.
  
  Thursday 4 July
  
  6°C → 10°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  1 → 6mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, medium chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 9 and 16.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Friday 5 July
  
  7°C → 11°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, medium chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 10 and 16.
  
  Saturday 6 July
  
  6°C → 10°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h turning easterly during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 10 and 16.
  
  Sunday 7 July
  
  5°C → 12°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, slight chance elsewhere. Patches of morning frost in the south. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 6 with daytime temperatures reaching between 11 and 16.
  
  Monday 8 July
  
  5°C → 13°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Tuesday 9 July
  
  8°C → 13°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 8mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 10 July
  
  7°C → 13°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve alerts
  Closed parks: Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve is closed until further notice due to heavy rainfall and flooding.
  Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve is closed until further notice due to heavy rainfall and flooding.
  This area will re-open as soon as it is safe.
  Access to Six Foot track is not possible via Jenolan Caves
  Remember, it’s never safe to drive, ride or walk through flood waters, so you’ll need to reschedule your visit and avoid travel through areas in this park. Check Live Traffic NSW for up-to-date information about road closures. For assistance during severe weather visit the NSW SES website. In life-threatening situations call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 baiting program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting ongoing ground baiting program from Thursday 2 May 2024 to Friday 1 November 2024 in the following areas:
  
  Abercrombie River National Park
  
  Abercrombie River State Conservation Area
  
  Kanangra-Boyd National Park
  
  Blue Mountains National Park (southern section)
  
  Wollemi National Park (Wolga
  
  Gardens of Stone National Park
  
  Jenolan Karst Conservation Area
  
  Turon National Park
  
  Marrangaroo National Park
  
  The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes.
  The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.
  Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  For more information, contact the NPWS Kanangra area office at Oberon on 02 6336 6200.
  
  Closed areas: Six Foot Track Part Closure
  Due to Jenolan Caves precinct being closed, this end of the Six Foot track will also remain closed. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information please refer to the Jenolan Caves website.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Other Journeys Discover nearby and similar journeys

Some of the information and maps on this page was generated using data from the awesome © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Please see how you can embed some widgets, access data and other stuff to that might be helpful.

Weather Forecast

Alerts