Federal Pass Blue Mountains

[Trekka]

Hello all,

This Saturday I am looking to walk from Scenic World to the Three Sisters via the Federal Pass and take the skyway back to the Scenic World car park. My questions are:

1. Does the Federal Pass actually meet up with the Scenic World tracks that would lead me to the Threes Sister?

2. How long would you give this walk for a quite fit and keen hiker? Google puts it at 4.2 km from the bottom of the Scenic Railway all the way around, and up to Dardenells Pass.

Thanks in Advance,

Trekka.

[Allchin09]

Hi Trekka, and welcome to the forum!

From Scenic World take the Furber Steps down to the Federal Pass. From there you can follow the Federal Pass at the base of the cliffs all the way around the Three Sister to where it meets up with the Giant Stairway. From here, you can climb up the Stairway to the top of the Three Sisters, and your way to the start of the Skyway can be made by either road, or along the walkways which follow the cliff tops from Echo Point.

As for time, I'd say around 3 hours would give you enough time to complete the walk as well as take in the views as you go.

Sounds like it will be a nice circuit, but just be careful of the heat when climbing up those stairs, it's forecast to be 34 degrees on Saturday and 37 on Sunday!

[johnw]

Ordinarily, yes you can do it and the tracks link up. An easy circuit but be mindful that the climb back out can be strenuous for the less fit. My "standard" route would be down Furber Steps (steep) from Scenic World (short side trip to Katoomba Falls can be worthwhile), then along the Federal Pass and exit via the Giant Staircase (fairly strenuous climb which goes directly past the Three Sisters). However, last time I looked at the NPWS track closures the Giant Staircase was closed due to landslip damage. Check with NPWS for the current situation. If still closed you could make a somewhat longer circuit by continuing along the Federal Pass (or the shorter Dardenelles Pass) to Leura Forest. Then take the optional climb out to the Cliff Top track and walk back to the start (the valley track/s continues to Leura Cascades and beyond). I have done this and other variations many times. If you are fit this is easily doable a a day trip. This longer walk would probably take me 4 or 5 hours max. including short lunch and photo stops (from memory).

Oops! Alex beat me to it, but do check the current situation re closures.

[Allchin09]

Right you are John, the Giant Stairway is still closed due to the landslide...

Looks like the longer trip is your only option.

[Trekka]

Thanks for the advice to all. Have decided to do the walk in reverse from the sisters to the railway and catch the sky way back across towards lilianfels. Great day for it!!

[Trekka]

Well I ended up doing everything from Leura cascades down through Leura Forrest, and all the way up the Furber steps. Started at the Katoomba Sisters lookout and reached the Echo Point lookout after the steps in 2 hours and 50 minutes. Only stopped once for a sandwich at the '1/2 way step'.

There were so many others that seemed to have uncomfortable footware and no water. Any suggestions on a more heavily dense rainforrest walk?