Last updated: August 29, 2023
The Cliff Top Walk near Blackheath is a beautiful 3 km long walking trail that follows the edge of the escarpment between Evans Lookout and Govetts Leap Lookout.
The Grose Valley views along the way are some of the most spectacular in that part of the Blue Mountains.
Keep reading to find out more about the highlights of this enjoyable hike!
| Cliff Top Walking Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3 km (one way) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate (steep sections) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
How to Get There
The Cliff Top Walk runs between Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout. Both locations have parking facilities, so it doesn’t matter where you start the walk.
To start from the Evans Lookout, turn into Evans Lookout Road in Blackheath, which leads to two parking areas. The first is the Grand Canyon car park, and the second is the Evans Lookout car park. It’s best to try parking there as it’s where the Cliff Top Walk starts (see map location).
If you prefer to start at the other end, turn into Govetts Leap Road, which leads to the car park at the Govetts Leap Lookout (see map location).
Public transport is also an option. You can catch the train to Blackheath on the Blue Mountains train line. From the Blackheath train station, you can walk or catch a bus to Evans Lookout Rd or Govetts Leap Rd.
Cliff Top Walk Track Notes
Below is a map with the route of the Cliff Top Walk between Evans Lookout (A) and Govetts Leap Lookout (B).
The hardest part of the walk is the stretch between Barrow Lookout and Govetts Leap, where the track becomes quite steep.
Overall though, the Cliff Top Walk is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Good hiking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.
1. Evans Lookout
The Evans Lookout was named after George Evans, a local solicitor who was supposedly the first white person to discover this point in 1882.
The breathtaking views of the Grose Valley are best at sunset and sunrise on a clear day when the large sandstone cliff walls have a beautiful orange glow.
You can read more about this lookout point in our guide to the Evans Lookout, including tips for exciting walking tracks to do nearby.
At the Evans Lookout car park, you can find the start of the Cliff Top Walking Track at the signpost, where you will also find a toilet, should you need it.
From there, simply head into the bush to start this fantastic walk. The first section is an easy path that soon arrives at the Hayward Gully.
2. Hayward Gully
Hayward Gully was named after William Hayward, the first white man to ever reach the floor of the Govetts Gorge in 1847, according to the information signpost at the water crossing.
A small footbridge and a set of sandstone steps will get you to the other side of this gully.
3. Barrow Lookout
From Hayward Gully, stay on the main track, which now follows the cliff edge combined with sections through bushland scenery, before arriving at the Barrow Lookout.
This beautiful viewing point was named after Isaac Le Pipre Barrow, a government surveyor who produced detailed tourist maps of the mountains in the late 1870s.
From the Barrow Lookout, continue on the main track that crosses Govetts Leap Brook. This is where the waterfall drops almost 200 metres into Grose Valley, which makes it one of the most scenic waterfalls in the Blue Mountains.
Before crossing that creek, you will see an intersection with the Braeside walking trail, a track along Govetts Leap Brook heading back into the Blackheath town centre.
The last section of the walk to the Govetts Leap Lookout is the most challenging part, as it is quite a steep climb.
4. Govetts Leap Lookout
The Govetts Leap Lookout was named after William Govett, the first European settler to have visited this area. He discovered this beautiful spot almost two centuries ago, in June 1831.
The lookout is one of the most scenic lookout points in the Blue Mountains region. The panoramic views of the Grose Valley, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and various waterfalls, are very impressive.
The valley is home to several rivers and creeks, such as the Grose River and Govetts Creek, which you can actually see from the lookout.
You can read more about this beautiful spot in our guide to the Govetts Leap Lookout, including tips for exciting walking tracks to do nearby.
Feeling energetic?
One of the most popular walking tracks in the Blue Mountains, the 6 km long Grand Canyon walking track, starts and finishes at the Evans Lookout.
This is a highly enjoyable bushwalking trail through beautiful scenery that has been around for more than a century. Highly recommended!
