Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle

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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

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	At the intersection of Golden Stairs & Glenraphael Drive (-33.7344207,150.2823585)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Great Western Highway, A32 Turn on to Bathurst Road, BMD then drive for 75 m Turn right onto Bathurst Road, BMD and drive for another 145 m Turn left onto Valley Road, BMD and drive for another 1.8 km Turn slight left onto Cliff Drive, BMD and drive for another 210 m At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Cliff Drive, BMD and drive for another 770 m Turn sharp right onto Glenraphael Drive and drive for another 990 m Keep left onto Glenraphael Drive and drive for another 870 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Golden Stairs car park and information sign on Glenraphael Dr, the walk follows the 'Golden Stairs / To Federal Pass' sign along the narrow track. The track leads gently downhill past the black and yellow 'Warning - Sections of the Golden Stairs are unfenced and can be slippery when wet' sign, with the occasional glimpse out to Malaita Point and towards the Three Sisters. The walk soon heads down a few steep eroded sections of track and passes through a couple of switchbacks. The track then leads to a fenced rock platform signposted as 'Botting's L.O.'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Golden Stairs & Glenraphael Drive Start heading along Golden Stairs (a walking track). Find the Golden Stairs Car Park at the start. After 35 m pass the sign (5 m on your left). After another 150 m find the "Botting's Lookout" (5 m on your left). Botting's Lookout Botting's Lookout offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985), a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District.
	After another 500 m (at the intersection of Federal Pass & Golden Stairs) turn sharp right, to head along Federal Pass. After another 25 m pass the sign (on your right). After another 1.7 km come to the camp site (10 m on your right). Open fires are not allowed. After another 660 m find the "Miners Campsite" (10 m on your right). Miners Campsite This flat campsite beside the Federal Pass walking track about 2.2km south of the intersection at the bottom of the Golden Stairs. There is short constructed stone wall left over from when there area was habited by miners. The campsite is surrounded by a tall forest, bracken ferns and some nice fern trees. There is no water or facilities.
	The starting point of an alternate route. An alternative route linking Northern Ruined Castle campsite to Intersection South of Ruined Castle. To take the alternate route turn left here. Details below. After another 155 m (at the intersection of Ruined Castle Track & Federal Pass) veer right, to head along Ruined Castle Track. After another 115 m pass the toilet (25 m on your left). After another 155 m come to the camp site (on your right).
	After another 440 m continue straight, to head along Ruined Castle Track. After another 70 m find the "The Ruined Castle" (15 m on your left). The Ruined Castle A formation jutting out of the Jamison Valley, the Ruined Castle has great views of the Jamison Valley from Katoomba to Leura. It is also possible to see Mt Solitary to the south-east. After another 15 m pass the "The Ruined Castle" (8 m on your left).
	The alternate route finishes here. Continue straight to rejoin the main route at the 4.3 km waypoint. Details below. After another 280 m (at the intersection of Mount Solitary Walking Track & Ruined Castle Track) turn right, to head along Mount Solitary Walking Track. After another 25 m pass the sign (on your left). After another 740 m come to the camp site (6 m on your right). After another 255 m come to the camp site (on your right). After another 390 m come to the viewpoint (on your left). After another 70 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
	Continue another 140 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 5.9 km to get back to the start.

An alternative route linking Northern Ruined Castle campsite to Intersection South of Ruined Castle.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 20 m pass the sign (on your left). After another 20 m find the "Northern Ruined Castle campsite" (on your left). Northern Ruined Castle campsite A short distance south east of the intersection with the Federal Pass and the northern access track to the Ruined Castle, is a fairly large basic campsite. There are two main flat areas for camping, both with fire scares. The area is surround with tall trees and ferns. There is no water nor any other facilities. After another 540 m pass the "Ruined Castle campsite" (10 m on your left). Then pass the picnic table (15 m on your left). Then pass the shelter (20 m on your left). After another 50 m find the "Ruined Castle mine campsite" (10 m on your left). Ruined Castle mine campsite This campsite is almost due east of Ruined Castle, just off the track that leads around the base of hill. The campsite is down a short but steep bank near the site of an old mine. The are a few campsites scattered along the flat area, mostly surrounded by some tall stringy barks. There are a few fire scars and some filtered valley views. A pleasant spot to stay. There was once a water spring nearby, but this is no longer reliable, you will need to carry in your own water.
	After another 340 m come to the end. A sign. At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After 20 m pass the sign (on your left).

After another 20 m find the "Northern Ruined Castle campsite" (on your left).

Northern Ruined Castle campsite

A short distance south east of the intersection with the Federal Pass and the northern access track to the Ruined Castle, is a fairly large basic campsite. There are two main flat areas for camping, both with fire scares. The area is surround with tall trees and ferns. There is no water nor any other facilities.

After another 540 m pass the "Ruined Castle campsite" (10 m on your left).

Then pass the picnic table (15 m on your left).

Then pass the shelter (20 m on your left).

After another 50 m find the "Ruined Castle mine campsite" (10 m on your left).

Ruined Castle mine campsite

This campsite is almost due east of Ruined Castle, just off the track that leads around the base of hill. The campsite is down a short but steep bank near the site of an old mine. The are a few campsites scattered along the flat area, mostly surrounded by some tall stringy barks. There are a few fire scars and some filtered valley views. A pleasant spot to stay. There was once a water spring nearby, but this is no longer reliable, you will need to carry in your own water.

After another 340 m come to the end.

A sign.

At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	11.9 km
Time	5 h 30 min to 7 h 30 min

Quality of track	Rough unclear track (5/6)
Gradient	Very steep and difficult rock scrambles (5/6)
Signage	No directional signs (5/6)
Infrastructure	No facilities provided (5/6)
Experience Required	High level of bushwalking experience recommended (5/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There are 7 on route, on average they are 1.6 km apart with the largest gap of 6.5 km.

Shelter: There is one 3.2 km (plus an extra 550 m along side route) from the start.

Toilet: There is one 3.4 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Camp site	2.4 km	[camp site]
Campsite	3.1 km	Miners Campsite
Campsite	3.2 km + 35 m	Northern Ruined Castle campsite
Shelter	3.2 km + 550 m	[shelter]
Campsite	3.2 km + 600 m	Ruined Castle mine campsite
Toilet	3.4 km	[toilet]
Camp site	3.5 km	[camp site]
Camp site	5.1 km	[camp site]
Camp site	5.3 km	[camp site]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Botting's Lookout
Botting's Lookout offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985), a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District.

Miners Campsite
This flat campsite beside the Federal Pass walking track about 2.2km south of the intersection at the bottom of the Golden Stairs. There is short constructed stone wall left over from when there area was habited by miners. The campsite is surrounded by a tall forest, bracken ferns and some nice fern trees. There is no water or facilities.

Northern Ruined Castle campsite
A short distance south east of the intersection with the Federal Pass and the northern access track to the Ruined Castle, is a fairly large basic campsite. There are two main flat areas for camping, both with fire scares. The area is surround with tall trees and ferns. There is no water nor any other facilities.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Katoomba 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
  
  5°C → 9°C
  Showers.
  95% chance of rain
  2 → 9mm
  
  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 → 9°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  1 → 7mm
  
  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
  
  5°C → 9°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  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
  
  4°C → 10°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  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
  
  4°C → 11°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Tuesday 9 July
  
  7°C → 11°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 8mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 10 July
  
  5°C → 13°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Blue Mountains National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Parts of Blue Mountains National Park closed
  Recent heavy rains have caused localised flooding south of Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls. Rivers and Creeks may be impassable. Rockfall, landslides and tree fall could have impacted routes and also be impassable. Visitors may have to return via the route they entered and should plan accordingly.
  Many walking tracks, roads and fire trails within Blue Mountains National Park remain closed following sustained wet weather causing subsidence hazards, major landslides or infrastructure upgrades.
  The following areas are closed:
  Katoomba and Leura
  
  Honeymoon Bridge is closed due to rockfall risk.
  
  Mount Hay Road is closed from Monday 1 July until 5pm, Friday 5 July 2024 for roadworks. No access to Lockley Pylon, Fortress Ridge and Mt Hay walking tracks.
  
  Leura Falls lookout is closed from Monday 20 May 2024 for upgrade works.
  
  Fern Bower track between Prince Henry Cliff walk (Grand Cliff Top walk) and Amphitheatre track is closed due to multiple landslides.
  
  Federal pass between the Cooks Crossing (Kedumba River) and the Giant Staircase is closed due to a landslide. No access along Federal Pass from the bottom Giant Stairs to Scenic World.
  
  Ruined Castle, Golden Stairs, Solitary Loop and Federal Pass west of Scenic World are closed due to multiple landslides.
  
  Lone Lyrebird track is closed between Gordon Road and the War Memorial, due to subsidence. Detour is in place.
  
  Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Gordon Falls picnic area and Elysian Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  
  Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fern Bower track, Echo Tree and Flat Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Please use Cliff Drive as short detour.
  
  Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Leura Cascades and top of Fern Bower, due to landslide and tree fall. Pleas use Cliff Drive as a short detour.
  
  Part of Lindeman Pass is closed due to a major landslide below Gladstone lookout. Roberts Pass is closed due to rockfall and landslide hazards.
  
  Six-Foot track is affected by multiple road closures.
  
  Wentworth Falls and Woodford
  
  Valley of Waters track is closed below Sylvia Falls. There is no access to Roberts Pass, Vera Falls, Hippocrene Falls or Wentworth Falls from Valley of the Waters.
  
  Charles Darwin walk (part of the Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fletcher Street and Weeping Rock. Detours are in place to provide directions to Wentworth Falls picnic area. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  
  Part of National Pass (west of Wentworth Falls middle crossing) is closed due to a major landslide and ongoing risks.
  
  Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs are closed due to multiple landslides.
  
  Bedford Creek trail will be closed Monday to Friday from Monday 27 May to Friday 5 July 2024 due to road repairs. There will be no access from Anderson fire trail or Murphies Road to Ingar campground. There is also no exit to Woodford from Andersons fire trail. Trials and campgrounds will be open Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Ingar campground is open on Saturday night only.
  
  Blackheath, Mount Victoria and Bells Line of Road
  
  Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon walking track (including Horse track) will be closed for two weeks from Monday 24 June until Friday 5 July 2024 to allow for track works. The track will be open weekends.
  
  Williams track (Govetts descent) and Rodriguez Pass are closed due to rockfalls and landslides.
  
  Pulpit Rock Reserve, lookouts and walking track are closed. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information. Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen is open as far as the NPWS boundary (as shown on Google maps).
  
  Evans Lookout Road will be closed beyond Grand Canyon carpark from 7am Monday 24 June to Friday 28 June 2024 to allow for road repairs. There will be no vehicle access to Evans lookout during this time. Pedestrians can use the walking track to the lookout which begins at the Grand Canyon carpark toilets.
  
  Adventure recreation, canyons, abseiling and rock climbing
  Some adventure recreation areas and routes are specifically closed where the access or exit road/track is mentioned above.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local office.
  
  Closed areas: Mount Hay Road closed
  Mount Hay Road will be closed f Monday 1 July until 5pm, Friday July 2024 for roadworks.
  No access to Lockley Pylon walking track is available. There is no access to Butterbox Point and Mt Hay walking tracks.
  For more information please call the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Closed areas: Prince Henry Cliff Walk - Leura
  Prince Henry Cliff Walk (Grand Cliff Top walk) within Blue Mountains National Park is closed between Leura Cascades and Fern Bower walking track due to major tree fall. The alternative route is along Cliff Drive from Leura Cascades.   For for further information please call the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on (02) 47878877.
  
  Closed areas: Woodford-Oaks trail closure
  Woodford-Oaks trail is closed on weekdays to all cyclists and pedestrians due to heavy machinery in operation.
  The Oaks and Single tracks will be open to cyclists on weekends, and will fully reopen as soon as works are complete.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on 02 4720 6200.
  
  Closed areas: Grand Canyon walking track
  Grand Canyon walking track and canyon within the Blue Mountains National Park will be closed from Monday 24 June until COB Friday 5 July 2024 to allow for track works.
  The track and canyon will remain open on weekends. This closure may affect access to Juggler Canyon.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information please contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Safety alerts: Remote walking track conditions
  Remote routes within the Kanangra Wilderness Area including Kanangra to Katoomba (K2K) trail have been impacted by heavy fire regrowth and flood damage.
  In some places, tracks are no longer visible and are not easy to navigate, taking longer to traverse than expected. Limited to zero water sources are currently available along routes.
  If you plan to walk in the area, please ensure you have an appropriate level of experience, navigation skills and equipment including Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
  Mobile reception is limited so alternative communication methods are strongly recommended.
  For more information, contact the NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Closed areas: Glenbrook precinct closure
  The Glenbrook precinct will be closed on weekdays for major roadworks, from Monday 29 April to Tuesday 15 October 2024.
  Heavy machinery and vehicles will be in operation from Mondays to Fridays during this period. Access beyond the entry gate will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
  The closed areas (Mondays to Fridays) include:
  
  Woodford - The Oaks trail
  
  The Single track
  
  Euroka campground
  
  Red Hands Cave
  
  Red Hands Cave walking track
  
  Jack Evans track
  
  Nepean lookout
  
  Nepean River walking track
  
  Pisgah Rock
  
  Mount Portal lookout
  
  Tunnel View lookout
  
  Jellybean Pool
  
  Blue Pool
  
  Glenbrook Gorge walking track
  
  The precinct will open on weekends, with most areas accessible.
  The following areas will be open on weekends:
  
  Euroka picnic area
  
  Woodford - The Oaks trail
  
  The Single track
  
  Mt Portal and Tunnel View lookouts
  
  Jellybean Pool
  
  Blue Pool
  
  Glenbrook Gorge walking track
  
  Other sections, including Red Hands Cave and Euroka campground, will remain closed over the weekend. The precinct will fully reopen as soon as works are complete.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office 02 4720 6200.
  
  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: Waratah Native Gardens picnic area closed
  Waratah Native Gardens picnic area is closed until further notice. This includes Gorge walking track. No access to the area is permitted.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Hawkesbury-Nattai area office on 02 4720 6200.
  
  Closed areas: Six Foot track - Bowtells Bridge closure
  Bowtells swing bridge on Six Foot track is closed to protect public safety. An upgrade is being planned and the bridge is expected to reopen in May 2024. Signs and barriers are in place to prevent access onto the bridge.
  Crown Lands, which manages the bridge, is advising track users not to attempt to cross Coxs River. Any attempts to cross the river are at your own risk and are discouraged due to the potential for slips or falls, rainfall and risk of flash flooding.
  For further information visit the Six Foot track website.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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