Govetts Leap Loop

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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 (-33.6338594,150.2843986)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train
Directions From Great Western Highway, A32
Turn on to then drive for 15 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the top of the station steps, this walk heads towards the Great Western Highway and Gardners Inn. The walk turns right down a flight of stairs, then turns left across the Great Western Highway at the pedestrian crossing.
From the intersection, this walk heads up the Great Western Highway, keeping the Gardners Inn to the right. This walk turns right after the petrol station, turning onto Gardiners Cres. The walk continues down Gardiners Cres to take the first left onto Inconstant St. The walk then takes the first right onto Wills St, which later becomes Robertson Lane. Robertson Lane tends right into Gipps Lane, which is followed to the intersection with Dell St/Wills St (unsignposted, road changes name near this intersection).
From the intersection, this walk heads up the road, leaving Gipps St behind on the left and passing a wooden house (also on the left). The walk passes Cleopatra St on the left before coming to the signposted intersection with the Pope's Glen track on the right, near 49 Dell St.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long) Then head down the steps (about 10 m long)
	Turn left. After another 30 m turn left.
	After another 65 m turn right. After another 130 m continue straight.
	After another 55 m turn left. After another 70 m continue straight.
	After another 450 m turn left.
	After another 280 m veer right.
	After another 410 m continue straight. After another 265 m cross the bridge (about 9 m long) After another 170 m continue straight. After another 740 m cross the bridge (about 8 m long) After another 380 m cross the bridge (about 9 m long)
	After another 170 m turn sharp right.
	After another 15 m continue straight.
	After another 305 m continue straight. After another 165 m come to the "Rodriguez Lookout". Then find the "Horseshoe Falls Lookout" (25 m on your left). Horseshoe Falls Lookout Horseshoe Falls Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small fenced lookout. There are views down to Horseshoe Falls and across the Grose Valley.
	Continue straight.
	After another 155 m continue straight.
	After another 20 m (Laws Lookout) turn right. After another 55 m come to the "Laws Lookout". After another 65 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
	After another 40 m turn right.
	After another 8 m veer right. After another 20 m come to the viewpoint (6 m on your left).
	Veer left. After another 6 m pass the sign (on your right).
	After another 9 m continue straight. After another 15 m pass the water tap (7 m on your right). Then come to the "Govetts Leap Lookout" (9 m on your left). Then pass the sign. After another 8 m find the "Govetts Leap Lookout" (6 m on your right). Govetts Leap Lookout Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first European man to have enjoyed this view, William Govett, as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. Govetts Leap Lookout offers wonderful views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The word `leap` is an old Scottish word meaning waterfall. The lookout is easily accessed from the car park, there are also toilets and picnic shelters nearby.
	After another 1 m continue straight. After another 245 m pass a seat (5 m on your right). After another 15 m head down the earthen steps (about 370 m long) Then pass a seat (5 m on your right)., has no backrest. After another 180 m pass the "Bridal Veil Falls" (30 m on your left). After another 10 m cross the stepping stones.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Barrow Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 4 m turn right.
	After another 570 m continue straight. After another 690 m find the "Braeside Picnic Area" (10 m on your left). Braeside Picnic Area Braeside Picnic Area, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small picnic area on the southern end of the Braeside walking track. The picnic area has a bench table and stone barbeque. The picnic area is situated next to a small weir and waterfall amongst the ferns.
	Continue straight.
	After another 460 m continue straight.
	After another 20 m continue straight.
	After another 600 m turn left.
	After another 70 m turn right.
	After another 215 m turn left.
	After another 100 m continue straight.
	After another 125 m turn right.
	After another 30 m turn left.
	After another 115 m continue straight.
	After another 190 m continue straight.
	After another 150 m continue straight. After another 30 m pass the "Jubilee Park" (15 m on your left).
	After another 85 m turn right.
	After another 55 m continue straight.
	After another 85 m turn left.
	After another 135 m turn right. After another 215 m pass the "Blackheath Bar & Bistro" (15 m on your left). W:https After another 110 m pass the "Blackheath Fish & Chips" (135 m on your left). Then pass the water tap (9 m on your left). After another 20 m pass a seat (6 m on your left).
	Turn left.
	After another 140 m turn left. After another 60 m to find the car park. Then pass the "Blackheath Kebab House" (60 m on your left). Turn left. After another 30 m pass the picnic table (on your right).
	After another 2 m turn left.
	After another 30 m turn right. After another 25 m turn left.
	After another 40 m come to the end. Then head down the steps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 55 m find the "Boyd Beach" (on your left). Boyd Beach Boyd Beach, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small sandy bank on Popes Glen Creek. The beach is a quiet spot with nice ferns and shade. The beach is a short distance from the Popes Glen track.
	After another 60 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 120 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Barrow Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Then head down the earthen steps (about 75 m long) After another 8 m come to "Barrow Lookout". Barrow Lookout Barrow Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks down to Govetts Leap falls and across the Grose Valley. The lookout is fenced and has a bench seat to rest. A seat., has a backrest. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 85 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Govetts Leap Loop

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	8.9 km
Time	2 h 45 min to 4 h 30 min

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Seat: There are 4 on route, on average they are 1.8 km apart with the largest gap of 4.4 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	4.4 km	[seat]
Seat	4.6 km	[seat]
Seat	4.8 km + 95 m	[seat]
Seat	8.6 km	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Boyd Beach
Boyd Beach, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small sandy bank on Popes Glen Creek. The beach is a quiet spot with nice ferns and shade. The beach is a short distance from the Popes Glen track.

Horseshoe Falls Lookout
Horseshoe Falls Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small fenced lookout. There are views down to Horseshoe Falls and across the Grose Valley.

Horseshoe Falls
Horseshoe Falls, Blue Mountains National Park, are sourced by Popes Glen Creek which runs over the cliff into the Grose Valley. The Horseshoe Falls seem to be named after the shape of the valley into which they drop.

Govetts Leap Lookout
Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first European man to have enjoyed this view, William Govett, as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. Govetts Leap Lookout offers wonderful views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The word `leap` is an old Scottish word meaning waterfall. The lookout is easily accessed from the car park, there are also toilets and picnic shelters nearby.

Barrow Lookout
Barrow Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks down to Govetts Leap falls and across the Grose Valley. The lookout is fenced and has a bench seat to rest.

Govetts Leap (falls)
Govetts Leap, is a waterfall in the Blue Mountains National Park. The fall is fed by Govetts Leap Brook which runs over the cliff into the Grose Valley. The falls are best viewed from Govetts Leap and Barrow Lookouts. Leap is a scots dialect word for cataract or waterfall.

Braeside Picnic Area
Braeside Picnic Area, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small picnic area on the southern end of the Braeside walking track. The picnic area has a bench table and stone barbeque. The picnic area is situated next to a small weir and waterfall amongst the ferns.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Katoomba Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Monday 28 April
  
  Mostly clear.
  
  Mostly clear. Slight chance of a shower about the Blue Mountains early this evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds.
  
  Tuesday 29 April
  
  10°C → 18°C
  Showers. Possible storm.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the early morning. High chance of showers, most likely from the late morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 23.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:30am to 2:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 5 [Moderate]
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  8°C → 12°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 7mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the north. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching between 13 and 19.
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  6°C → 12°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, medium chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 19.
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  6°C → 14°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 20.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  6°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  8°C → 16°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  9°C → 17°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Blue Mountains National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Glenbrook Causeway closed due to flooding
  Due to heavy rainfall, Glenbrook causeway is now closed. There is no access to Euroka Campground, Red Hands Cave, Nepean Lookout, or the Oaks firetrail.
  
  Closed areas: Parts of Blue Mountains National Park closed
  Many roads, fire trails and walking tracks in Blue Mountains National Park are closed due to infrastructure upgrades or damage caused by wet weather including subsidence, rockfalls, landslides and fallen trees.
  The following tracks are closed:
  Katoomba and Leura
  
  Honeymoon Bridge is closed due to rockfall risk.
  
  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. Detours will also be in place via Olympian Parade.
  
  Gordon Falls picnic area is closed due to upgrades. Detours for walking tracks are in place. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  
  Fern Bower track between Prince Henry Cliff walk and Amphitheatre track is closed due to landslides. Access to Leura Forest and Jamison Valley is via Amphitheatre track.
  
  Golden Stairs walking track is closed due to landslides and rock fall. There is no access from Glenraphael Drive to Ruined Castle, Federal Pass or Scenic World. Ruined Castle and Mt Solitary can be accessed from Federal Pass (via Furber Steps) or Kedumba Pass.
  
  Lone Lyrebird track is closed between Gordon Road and the War Memorial, due to subsidence. Detour is in place.
  
  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 closures at Jenolan Caves.
  
  Wentworth Falls and Woodford
  
  Charles Darwin walk (part of 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. No access to Roberts Pass and Vera Falls. Valley of the Waters track is closed below Sylvia Falls.
  
  Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Megalong Valley and Bells Line of Road
  
  Pulpit Rock Reserve, lookouts and walking track are closed. For more information visit the Blue Mountains City Council website. Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen is open as far as the NPWS boundary (as shown on Google maps).
  
  Govetts descent and Rodriguez Pass are closed due to rockfalls and landslides. The Grose Valley can be accessed from Blackheath via Perrys Lookdown or the Horse track.
  
  Pierces Pass road and picnic area will be closed for road maintenance from May 5th to 9th, 2025. Parking will be available at Walls Lookout carpark and all walking tracks remain open using a short access track from the Walls Lookout carpark.
  
  Adventure recreation, canyons, abseiling and rock climbing
  
  Some adventure recreation areas and routes may be closed where the access or exit road/track is mentioned above.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre.
  
  Closed areas: Burralow Creek Campground closed
  Burralow Creek campground and picnic area will be closed from 28 April to 15 May 2025 for upgrade works to Bulcamatta Falls walking track.
  The following connecting fire trails will also be closed:
  
  Paterson Range fire trail
  
  Tabaraga Ridge fire trail
  
  Burralow fire trail
  
  There will be no public access during this time including walkers, bike riders, horse riders and vehicles. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office 02 4720 6200.
  
  Closed areas: Red Hands Cave & Walking Tracks temporarily closed
  The following areas and walking tracks are closed from 1 April 2025 until further notice:
  
  Red Hands Cave
  
  Red Hands Cave walking track
  
  Campfire Creek walking track
  
  the Link walking track
  
  This is to allow for works on the elevated platform at Red Hands Cave. For your safety, please follow all signs and instructions of NPWS staff.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office (02) 4720 6200.
  
  Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 baiting program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an ongoing ground baiting program from Thursday 2 May 2024 to Monday 5 May 2025 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: Fern Bower walking track closed
  Fern Bower walking track in Blue Mountains National Park is closed until further notice due to multiple landslides. There's no access to Leura Forest and Leura Cascades via Fern Bower. Alternative access is via Amphitheatre track.
  For more information, call the NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Closed areas: Euroka walking track closed for repairs
  Euroka walking track in Blue Mountains National Park is closed for track repairs from Monday 1 February to Monday 30 June 2025.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  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: 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.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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Start	(-33.6338594,150.2843986)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train
Directions	From Great Western Highway, A32 Turn on to then drive for 15 m

Weather Forecast

Alerts