Coachwood Glen Nature Trail in Megalong Valley

Last updated: June 14, 2022

The Coachwood Glen Nature Trail is a short and unpretentious bushwalk in the Megalong Valley area of the Blue Mountains.

The trail meanders through the beautiful landscape of the Coachwood and Mountain Ash forests, and includes a few crossings of the Pulpit Hill Creek.

While this trail isn’t spectacular by any means, it’s a lovely walk to combine with other walks and sights nearby. The Mermaids Cave walk is on the same road and Mount Blackheath is also not too far away.

Coachwood Glen Nature Trail
Distance: 800 m return
Duration: 40 minutes
Grade: Easy
Dogs: On a lead
JOIN SYDNEY UNCOVERED
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive Sydney and NSW related tips and ideas straight to your mailbox!

How to Get There

Access to the Coachwood Glen Nature Trail is on Megalong Road which feeds into Megalong Valley. The trail, however, is still within the boundaries of the suburb of Blackheath.

There are two carparks from where you can start the walking trail:

  1. Roadside carpark (map location)
  2. Archway carpark (map location)

The Coachwood Glen roadside carpark is the first one you will see when driving down Megalong Road, but it only has space for two or three cars.

Coachwood Glen roadside carpark
Coachwood Glen roadside carpark

The Coachwood Glen archway carpark, 200 metres further down the road, is a bit bigger and can fit around six or seven cars.

Coachwood Glen archway carpark
Coachwood Glen archway carpark

It doesn’t matter so much where you park your car, just go for the one where there is enough space to park safely.

Coachwood Glen Nature Trail

The Coachwood Glen Nature Trail is less than 1 km long and is reasonably well signposted. It’s a relatively easy walk, suitable for kids, but the creek crossings can be a bit slippery.

Also note that there are a few intersections where things may get a bit confusing. To do the whole loop, you have to include the Mountain Ash Track, which involves two creek crossings.

Here is a map of the trail with the two carparks marked as P1 and P2:

Map of Coachwood Glen Nature Trail

About the Walk

Once you’ve parked your car at either carpark, it’s worth having a look at the information boards before you start the walk.

There you will find more information about the trail and the landscape, and you will also see a more detailed map of the walking track.

Coachwood Forest
Coachwood Forest

The trail was constructed in the 1960s by Keith Duncan, who was an active member of the Rotary Club in Blackheath for more than 50 years.

Now under the management of the Blue Mountains City Council, the Rotary club still assists with the maintenance of the track.

As you make your way through the forest dominated by Coachwood and Sassafras trees, keep an eye out for the various colorful fungi species you may spot along the way.

Pulpit Hill Creek
Pulpit Hill Creek

The trail essentially consists of two sections; the Pulpit Hill Creek Track (west of the creek) and the Mountain Ash Track (east of the creek).

From either car park, the first part of the walk is a gradual descent towards Pulpit Hill Creek. Once there, you will see signs for the Mountain Ash Track.

Mountain Ash Track

Follow those signs to cross the Pulpit Hill Creek and then continue the trail through the Mountain Ash Forest.

This section is about 200-300 metres long, and while the path may be a bit overgrown, the scenery is lovely.

Coachwood Glen and Mountain Ash intersection
Coachwood Glen and Mountain Ash intersection

You will then cross the creek a second time to get back to the other side.

It’s worth doing the Mountain Ash Track because the two creek crossings are quite exciting, even more so when there is a good amount of water flowing.

Pulpit Hill Creek crossing
Pulpit Hill Creek crossing

Once you’ve reached the carpark at the other end of the walking trail, you can either return via the road (shortest and quickest) or return via the walking trail but without the Mountain Ash Track section.

If you decide to return via the road, please be careful with cars driving past. Returning through the forest is the safer option, especially if you have children with you.

Hungry after this walk? Go and check out the Megalong Valley Tea Rooms on Megalong Road further south in the Megalong Valley. They serve breakfast and lunch with lots of outdoor seating in beautiful natural surroundings.

 

Coachwood Glen Nature Trail in Megalong Valley

 

MORE BLUE MOUNTAINS:

 
Leave a comment