The walking track to Asgard Swamp, Thor Head and Asgard Mine, often called the Asgard Swamp Track, is an adventurous hike through beautiful Blue Mountains scenery.
This quiet trail on the Asgard Plateau passes several interesting sights and offers great views of the Grose Valley from a number of vantage points.
| Asgard Swamp and Thor Head Walking Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 9 km (return) |
| Time: | 3-4 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep sections) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
Getting There
The trailhead for this walk is on Victoria Falls Road.
From the Great Western Highway in Mount Victoria, turn into Victoria Falls Road and drive for about 4 km. The trailhead is signposted and has enough parking space for several cars.
Victoria Falls Road is unsealed but usually in good condition. A 4WD vehicle isn’t required, but take extra care after rain as potholes can form.
Track Notes
This hike is on the Asgard Plateau in the Victoria Falls and Blackheath area of the Blue Mountains. The Ikara Head Trail is also nearby.
It is a challenging walk with steep sections and some rough parts of track. The first kilometre is especially steep, which you will notice on the return journey.
Map
The main trail to Asgard Head Lookout is about 3 km long, but the various side tracks make it a 9 km return hike. You can walk to the lookout first and explore the side trails on the way back, or visit the side trails before continuing to Asgard Head.
Only Asgard Mine is signposted. The map below can help you locate the other side trails, and we have included photos further down in the track notes.
Track highlights:
- Asgard Swamp
- Thor Head
- Asgard Mine and Kiln
- Asgard Head Lookout
Start of the Walk
After parking your car, it is time to begin the hike. It is a good idea to bring a full bottle of water and some snacks for energy, especially on a warm day.
The first part of the track follows a fire trail that heads mostly downhill. It is easy to follow, but keep in mind that this section of about 1 km will feel steep on the return walk.
After roughly 1 km, the trail crosses Asgard Brook via a makeshift footbridge, with a scenic swampy landscape on your left.
This is not the official Asgard Swamp, but it is a pleasant change in scenery. Continue for another kilometre to reach the turn-off to Asgard Swamp.
1. Asgard Swamp
In the photo below, you can see a path heading to the left. Follow this path to reach Asgard Swamp.
A good way to identify the path is by looking for a large rock about 100 metres along it. This rock does not seem to have an official name, but it is sometimes referred to as Pagoda Rock or Pyramid Rock. There is a campfire spot in front of the rock, suggesting it is a camping site.
You can climb onto the rock for a nice view of Asgard Swamp behind it. The path continues into the swamp, where you can get better views across the area.
Depending on the season, you may also see Golden Wattles blooming in the trees, which is quite a pretty sight.
Asgard Swamp may not be the most spectacular sight, but it is a worthwhile detour and a good warm-up for the rest of the hike.
2. Thor Head
From the swamp, retrace your steps to the main walking track and continue to the next highlight, Thor Head.
The turn-off to Thor Head can be a little harder to spot, but it is only a few hundred metres further along the main track. The photo below may help you recognise it.
The trail to Thor Head is short but quite steep and narrow, with uneven ground most of the way.
After about 500 metres, views of the Grose Valley begin to appear. The trail reaches a rocky platform with superb views over the valley.
From there, the track continues onto a large rocky outcrop ahead, where the views are even better.
If you walk a little further to the end of the trail, you can also enjoy views back over Asgard Swamp. It is interesting to see the swamp landscape on one side and the valley on the other.
It is not entirely clear whether the name Thor Head refers to the whole headland on the Asgard Plateau or just the pointy rocky outcrop near the end of the track.
Whatever the case, the Grose Valley views from this part of the Blue Mountains are excellent.
3. Asgard Mine and Kiln
After exploring Thor Head, retrace your steps to the main walking track and continue to the next highlight.
The turn-off to Asgard Mine is about 200 metres past the Thor Head track and is clearly signposted, so it is easy to find.
The trail is straightforward to follow but has some steeper sections. It is well maintained, with wooden steps that make the downhill parts easier.
After less than 500 metres, you will reach the entrance to a small coal mine beside a tiny waterfall. The mine entrance is completely dark, so if you want to venture inside, bring a torch.
Asgard Mine was established in the 19th century, when mining was common in the Blue Mountains.
Remnants of that era can still be found in Bell, Lithgow, Hartley Vale, Mount Victoria, the Grose Valley and Katoomba.
A short distance further down the track is the Asgard Kiln, a large oven that appears to be in excellent condition and is well worth a look.
4. Asgard Head Lookout
The final highlight of the walk is the excellent vantage point at the end of the trail.
To get there, continue along the main track. The path soon changes from a fire trail to a narrower, sometimes overgrown track, but it is still easy to follow.
The trail eventually leads to a rocky outcrop that you can climb onto for sweeping views of the Grose Valley. Take care, as there is no fencing around the platform, and the drop-offs are steep.
From the lookout, you can spot a distant Victoria Falls in the valley, with the Burra Korain headland to the east.
There are more rocky areas further to the left that provide slightly different angles of the valley.
When you have finished taking in the views, retrace your steps to Victoria Falls Road to complete this great hiking adventure!
