Best Day Walks around Sydney and/or in the Blue Mountains

[Erica]

Hey guys,

Was hoping for some opinions on what people thought were the best day walks around Sydney (accessible by public transport, I'm based in Kingsford) or up in the Blue Mountains (will have a car for this bit). I've been in Sydney for a few years now and have found some good walks but am sure I'm missing something, and am planning on exploring the mountains a bit more in a few weekends time. Have had lots of walking experience in Tassie but don't want anything too complicated (no nav...), can be a tough walk physically though. They can be either full day or short walks.

Look forward to hearing suggestions

Erica

[kymboy]

Hi Erica
In Sydney, Lane Cove has a very accessible loop walk from the weir up to Deburgh's bridge of about 12 ks. Garigal Nat Park under the Roseville Bridge has a range of walks. Spit to Manly makes a nice stroll too. The more you look the more possibilities you'll find.
Further afield take a look at wildwalks for ideas. http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking/ge ... lking.html
Kym

[Marwood]

If you haven't already, also check out http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/ and John & Monica Chapman's Day Walks Sydney.

What kind of walks do you like (and don't like)? Your idea of "best" may not match mine .

[Erica]

Thanks! I guess it does depend a lot on preference, and I know what you mean. I quite enjoy the coastal walks and the cliffs etc, have been around the coast from Bondi south to Little Bay (in various stages) and quite enjoy the Spit-Manly walk too. Maybe I should have phrased the question, as "what are your favourite day walks and why?" hmmmm.

Thanks though, will definitely check out the websites!

Erica

[ninjapuppet]

maybe try some more of the popular day walks like
- the grand canyon walk near Blackheath
- Blue gum forest
- Wentworth falls
- Katoomba to Mt solitary

[tom_brennan]

If you're interested in the 'tough' easy stuff (!!) in the Blue Mountains, ninjapuppet's suggestions are pretty good.

Ruined Castle (http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk.php?nid=236)
is one of the best easy day walks, and you can push on to Mt Solitary (http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk.php?nid=788)
to make it harder. Grand Canyon Loop (http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk.php?nid=787)
is likewise excellent, as is the Blue Gum Forest (via Lockley Pylon) (http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk.php?nid=794)
or as a loop from Govetts Leap (http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk.php?nid=224).

These are good in winter. Other than the Grand Canyon Loop, they're not so good in summer. In summer walks like Empire Pass (http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk.php?nid=803)
or Magdala Creek (http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk.php?nid=207)
are good.

There are plenty of other excellent walks, though some require a little more navigation, or some off track component. I'd highly recommend building up your skills so you can tackle them.

[kjbeath]

My favourite for a track walk is the National Pass walk at Wentworth Falls. The way I like to do it is to start from the station then walk via Darwins walk to the falls, and across the pass and up Valley of the Waters. For a full day you can add on the nature walk and then the over or under cliff walks.

There are several good walks in Royal and Heathcote NP.

A good start is the NPA Bushwalks in the Sydney Region vol 1 and 2

[HitchHiking]

http://www.wildwalks.com is a excellent source!

[raelenejames]

I love the glow worm tunnel at Wollemi State Forest. Easy walk and lovely rainforest surrounds.

[Wolfix]

Many lovely sections of the Great North Walk can be accessed by train up the North Shore Line from Central. I recommend Mt Colah to Brooklyn for an easy daywalk. Did it with a raging hangover and it cured me completely, no vomiting at all!

[Erica]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies, have a great collection of walks to keep me going for a while!

Spent a few days up in the Blue Mountains a few weekends ago, and these are the walks (some rather short) we did:
- Lucas Rocks Track at Jenolan Caves (closed, but if you know where you're going you're ok)
- Victoria Falls Lookout to Victoria Falls and back (really enjoyed this, quite a bit hill but the falls were spectacular!)
- Evans Lookout to Neates Glen via the Grand Canyon (another fantastic walk, really really enjoyed this. Was a little disappointed that the track was closed down to Beauchamp Falls, but still a great walk).
- Poked our heads in at Govett's Leap, I went down the hill a little bit further to have a good look at the Falls, such a pretty spot, would love to do some walks around here!
- Wentworth Falls - just had a look from a lookout about 5-10mins walk. Will have to go back and explore that area more too, had to head back to Sydney.

I would really recommend the Grand Canyon walk to people, not too hard or long but spectacular.

Erica