Govetts Leap Loop
Dharug & Gundungurra Country

2 h 45 min to 4 h 30 min

8.9 km
circuit

↑ 360 m
↓ -360 m

Hard track
This walk, from Blackheath Train Station, is a fantastic way to see some of the iconic areas of the Blue Mountains in the Blackheath area. The walk heads through Pope's Glen to Govetts Leap via a wonderful stroll along the creek, before breaking out to the views of the Grose Valley. The stunning views over the valley, waterfalls and bush make this a great walk with public transport access. 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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Dam next to Braeside picnic area. | Photo by admin
Photo by admin
Stepping stones one Braeside Track. | Photo by admin
Photo by admin
Top of Govetts Leap falls. | Photo by admin
Photo by admin, 2008.
Govetts Leap Lookout. | Photo by admin
Bridal Veil Falls from Govetts Leap Lookout. | Photo by admin
Sign post on Pope's Glen Creek. | Photo by admin
Pope's Glen Creek. | Photo by admin
Leaves along Pope's Glen. | Photo by admin
Pope's Glen Track. | Photo by admin
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 (-33.6338594,150.2843986)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train
DirectionsFrom Great Western Highway, A32
  • Turn on to then drive for 15 m
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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

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

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.
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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

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.
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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
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.
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

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.
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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

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.
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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.
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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
ItemFrom StartName & 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]
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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.
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