Witches Leap Circuit
Dharug & Gundungurra Country

30 min to 2 h

1.2 km
circuit

↑ 92 m
↓ -92 m

Hard track
A great circuit walk near Scenic World, Katoomba. This walk heads into a temperate rain forest, following a shrouded trail through Witches Leap, a small creek crossing, before emerging near Katoomba Kiosk. The kiosk is a good spot to stop for a coffee before heading back along the flat trail to Scenic World. Special features of this walk include the great views from Juliet's Balcony. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharug & Gundungurra people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Entrance to Scenic World. | Photo by admin, 2008.
following the wooden footbridge. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Mist from Vaniman's Lookout 1940 Wallace Green. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Vanimans Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Looking through the trees to the Katoomba Falls. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Climbing down metal staircases. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Juliets Balcony view. | Photo by admin, 2008.
wandering through the forest. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Crossing the creek that flows from Witches Leap to Veras Grotto. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Following the Witches Leap track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
What a rest area. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Parkland at Katoomba Kiosk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Katoomba Kiosk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Following the hardened dirt track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
heading up to the scenic world main entrance. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Downloads GPX PDF

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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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.7285118,150.3007652)
Mode Bus Car (Free parking available)
DirectionsFrom Great Western Highway, A32
  • Turn on to Parke Street, BMD then drive for 105 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Bathurst Road, BMD and drive for another 165 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Gang Gang Street, BMD and drive for another 105 m
  • Turn right onto Lurline Street, BMD and drive for another 1.4 km
  • Turn right onto Goyder Avenue and drive for another 140 m
  • Turn left onto Katoomba Street and drive for another 10 m
  • Keep right onto Katoomba Falls Road and drive for another 325 m
  • Continue onto Katoomba Falls Road, BMD and drive for another 390 m
  • Turn left onto Cliff Drive, BMD and drive for another 360 m
  • Turn left and drive for another 120 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the Scenic World main entrance, this walk follows the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' signs down the concrete steps and around to the back of the building, where it comes to a wooden footbridge that curves around behind the main car park. At the end of the footbridge, this walk comes to an intersection with the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.
From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track down the gentle hill, winding down some wooden steps as the track bends around to the right. It then arrives at the signposted intersection of the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' and the track to the base of the Scenic Railway.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After 45 m find the "Scenic World" (9 m on your left).
Scenic World
Scenic World

Scenic World is one of the most renowned tourist attractions of Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. Located on the cliffs of the Jamison Valley , visitors can enjoy a ride on the Scenic Railway (the world's steepest incline railway) or the Scenic Cableway, into the Jamison Valley, and explore the Scenic Walkway from the base. Alternatively, the Scenic Skyway offers a bird's eye view over the valley, with a glass floor to enhance the experience. Scenic World also features a revolving restaurant, a cafe and a kiosk, in addition to the documentary theatre and souvenir shop. Rides can be purchased, starting from $16 for adults and $10 for children, and combination or family passes are available.
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Scenic World is one of the most renowned tourist attractions of Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. Located on the cliffs of the Jamison Valley , visitors can enjoy a ride on the Scenic Railway (the world's steepest incline railway) or the Scenic Cableway, into the Jamison Valley, and explore the Scenic Walkway from the base. Alternatively, the Scenic Skyway offers a bird's eye view over the valley, with a glass floor to enhance the experience. Scenic World also features a revolving restaurant, a cafe and a kiosk, in addition to the documentary theatre and souvenir shop. Rides can be purchased, starting from $16 for adults and $10 for children, and combination or family passes are available.

Then pass the toilet (20 m on your left).
Then pass a seat (25 m on your left).
After another 100 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right).
Then cross the bridge (about 75 m long)
Then pass the car park (50 m on your left).
After another 75 m turn right.
After another 45 m turn right.
After another 25 m find the "Vaniman's Lookout" (on your left).
Vaniman's Lookout
Vaniman's Lookout

Vaniman's Lookout is a fenced, long and narrow lookout on the cliff edge, opposite Reids Plateau. The view looks directly over the Three Sisters across the Kedumba Valley, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout was considered one of the finest views on the Three Sisters in the 1900's. The lookout was named after Chester Melvin Vaniman in 1905, a well-know adventurer and artist from the USA, who visited the Blue Mountains in 1903.
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Vaniman's Lookout is a fenced, long and narrow lookout on the cliff edge, opposite Reids Plateau. The view looks directly over the Three Sisters across the Kedumba Valley, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout was considered one of the finest views on the Three Sisters in the 1900's. The lookout was named after Chester Melvin Vaniman in 1905, a well-know adventurer and artist from the USA, who visited the Blue Mountains in 1903.

After another 115 m pass a seat (on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Juliets Balcony. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 60 m continue straight.
After another 10 m pass the "Plant Life on the Edge" (15 m on your right).
After another 195 m find the "Cliffside lookout" (30 m on your right).
Cliffside lookout
Cliffside lookout

This unnamed, fenced lookout is perched on the cliff's edge on Reids Plateau. The lookout has a bench seat and overlooks the Witches Leap area. The view is mostly of the surrounding trees, with glimpses of cliffs on the other side of the valley. There is a nice view of Witches Leap waterfall.
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This unnamed, fenced lookout is perched on the cliff's edge on Reids Plateau. The lookout has a bench seat and overlooks the Witches Leap area. The view is mostly of the surrounding trees, with glimpses of cliffs on the other side of the valley. There is a nice view of Witches Leap waterfall.

After another 55 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 55 m come to the viewpoint (5 m on your left).
After another 25 m pass a seat (10 m on your right)., has a backrest.
Turn left.
After another 20 m continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Katoomba Falls Kiosk. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 20 m continue straight.
After another 40 m pass the "Blue Mountains National Park" (on your right).
Then pass the pay phone (55 m on your right).
After another 80 m continue straight.
After another 45 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long)
After another 15 m pass the "Witches Leap" (20 m on your left).
After another 55 m continue straight.
After another 50 m cross the bridge (about 75 m long)
After another 65 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Juliets Balcony.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 25 m come to "Juilets Balcony".
Juilets Balcony
Juilets Balcony

Juliets Balcony is a spectacular lookout, perched on top of a rock buttress near Orphan Rock, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout provides sweeping views of the start of the Kedumba Valley, from Katoomba Falls to the Three Sisters. The lookout is accessed by a staircase, off the Furber Steps track. The fenceline continues along the lookout, forming a long, fenced balcony.
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Juliets Balcony is a spectacular lookout, perched on top of a rock buttress near Orphan Rock, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout provides sweeping views of the start of the Kedumba Valley, from Katoomba Falls to the Three Sisters. The lookout is accessed by a staircase, off the Furber Steps track. The fenceline continues along the lookout, forming a long, fenced balcony.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Katoomba Falls Kiosk.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the Katoomba Falls Reserve at the start.
After another 35 m come to the end.
About 15 m past the end is a car park.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 55 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Witches Leap Circuit


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 1.2 km
Time 30 min to 2 h
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 Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 410 m apart with the largest gap of 1.1 km.

Seat: There are 4 on route, on average they are 245 m apart with the largest gap of 430 m.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
45 m[toilet]
Seat
50 m[seat]
Toilet
145 m[toilet]
Seat
370 m[seat]
Seat
710 m[seat]
Seat
790 m[seat]
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