Last updated: November 6, 2023
A guide to 10 of the best dog-friendly walks in the Blue Mountains, from short and easy walking trails to more challenging bushwalking tracks.
The Blue Mountains region is Sydney’s most popular destination for weekend recreation activities. Sadly though, our canine friends can not always come with us when we visit the Blue Mountains to go hiking.
As a general rule of thumb, dogs cannot go inside National Parks. But since the Blue Mountains region is not all National Park, there are many walking trails, parks, and other areas where dogs are more than welcome.
We have listed our top 10 dog-friendly Blue Mountains walks in geographical order to make it easier to plan your visit. For each walk, we have included a link to the map location of the trailhead and other practical information.
1. Knapsack Viaduct
The Knapsack Bridge in Glenbrook is a large sandstone arch viaduct that was built in the 19th century to carry the Zig Zag Railway line across the Knapsack Gully.
The bridge is open to the public and can be reached via two walking trails. The first option is via the Lapstone Zig Zag Walk starting from Knapsack Street. The second option is via the Knapsack Viaduct Trail starting from Mitchells Pass.
The first option is an enjoyable bushwalk, but it is currently closed due to maintenance work. The second option is much easier as it’s mostly a flat walking path.
Once you’ve reached the top of the bridge, you have the option to venture down to the gully via a steep trail and enjoy fantastic views from underneath the bridge.
| Knapsack Viaduct | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3 km (return) |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Knapsack Street or Mitchells Pass |
2. Lennox Bridge Loop
The Lennox Bridge in Glenbrook is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries the Mitchells Pass across Lapsstone Creek.
This used to be the main road into and over the Blue Mountains, long before the Great Western Highway was built.
The stone arch bridge over Lapstone Creek was constructed in the first half of the 19th century and can still be crossed by car today. There is parking at the bridge if you don’t feel like walking and simply want to explore the area.
To turn a visit to the Lennox Bridge into a walk, head to Olivet Street in Glenbrook and do the 1.5 km loop walk along Lapstone Creek. This is a lovely walk that also happens to be off-leash for dogs.
| Lennox Bridge Loop | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1.5 km (loop) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | Off-leash |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
3. Birdwood Gully Round Walk
The Birdwood Gully Round Walk is a lovely 2.6 km loop in Springwood that is still relatively unknown. The path is easy to follow but can be a bit rough at times.
There are two entry points to the Birdwood Gully Round Walk, both on Bednal Road. However, the best and safest spot to park your car is at the Bednal Road and Lucinda Avenue intersection.
The rainforest scenery along the Birdwood Gully Round Walk is very pretty, with various caves and a couple of small waterfalls to explore.
This is a fairly easy walk, but the descent into the gully and the unavoidable climb out of it are quite steep and might be a bit too challenging for smaller dogs.
| Birdwood Gully Round Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.6 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate (steep sections) |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
4. Horseshoe Falls Walking Track
The Horseshoe Falls walking track is an exciting bushwalking trail that takes in four small but very pretty waterfalls in Hazelbrook.
There are various entry points to this walking trail, but the most obvious one is on Oaklands Road. From there, the walk is approximately 3.5 km (return) to the furthest waterfall, Burgess Falls.
Depending on how keen and energetic your dog is, you don’t have to do the entire walk to Burgess Falls. You can make this adventure as long or as short as you see fit.
It’s a lovely walking track, but do keep in mind that the trail can get very muddy, even after only mild rain, due to the location in a gully environment.
| Horseshoe Falls Walking Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3.5 km (return) |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
5. South Lawson Waterfall Circuit Walk
The South Lawson Waterfall Circuit Walk is a popular walking trail that takes in four pretty waterfalls along an easy-to-follow bushwalking path.
The official starting point of the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit Walk can be found at the corner of Honour Avenue and Livingstone Street.
Dogs tend to love this walk as there is so much to explore. But this is a real bushwalk, so it’s certainly not a walk that is suitable for all dogs.
It’s also worth noting that this walking track runs past the former Lawson golf course, which today functions as a large dog park with an off-leash section.
| South Lawson Waterfall Circuit Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.5 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate (steep sections) |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
6. Wentworth Falls Lake
Wentworth Falls Lake is a beautiful park and water reservoir that was created as a result of the damming of Jamison Creek, which flows into Jamison Valley via the Wentworth Falls waterfall.
It’s possible to walk around the entire lake, but for a shorter version, simply follow the paved walking path along the southern side of the lake.
If you want to do the entire loop, it’s about 3.5 km long and includes a bit of walking on suburban streets.
Wentworth Falls Lake is also one of our favourite picnic areas in the Blue Mountains, with excellent facilities such as BBQs, shelters, tables, a playground, toilets, and parking.
| Wentworth Falls Lake | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3.5 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
7. Minnehaha Falls Walking Track
Minnehaha Falls is a beautiful waterfall on Yosemite Creek in the (North) Katoomba area of the Blue Mountains.
Not only is the waterfall a pretty sight (and a lovely place to swim in summer), but the 3 km return bushwalking trail to get there is just as enjoyable.
The walking trail follows Yosemite Creek, with a smaller cascade waterfall and various lookout points to explore. The last stretch to the waterfall includes a steep metal staircase.
Parking is available at Minnehaha Falls Reserve at the end of Minni Ha Ha Road. That is also where you will find the starting point of the walking track to the waterfall.
| Minnehaha Falls Walking Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3 km (return) |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
8. Mermaids Cave Walk
The Mermaids Cave in Blackheath is a large sandstone rock overhang situated in a beautiful forest environment, with a small but picturesque waterfall to complete the setting.
While this is only a short walking trail (less than 1 km return), it’s an exciting little adventure for both humans and their canine friends. The cave and waterfall are pretty, but the long staircase as part of the walk is just as impressive.
Just be mindful that this staircase down to the cave is quite steep and slippery, and your dog will need to be comfortable with that challenge.
The starting point of this walk is on Megalong Road with a well-sized parking area on the opposite side.
| Mermaids Cave Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 600 m (return) |
| Grade: | Easy (but steep) |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
9. Coachwood Glen Nature Trail
If the walk to Mermaids Cave is a bit too short, drive another 2 km further on Megalong Road and do the Coachwood Glen Nature Trail.
This trail meanders through the beautiful landscape of the Coachwood and Mountain Ash Forests and includes a few crossings of Pulpit Hill Creek.
The trail consists of two sections; the Mountain Ash Track (east of the creek) and the Pulpit Hill Creek Track (west of the creek).
Both sections are easy to do and offer pleasant forest scenery.
| Coachwood Glen Nature Trail | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 800 m (return) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
10. Porters Pass Circuit
Did we save the best for last? Well, it sure is the most challenging walk on this list of dog-friendly walks in the Blue Mountains.
The Porters Pass Circuit is an adventurous 5.5 km loop that combines four different walking trails with various highlights to take in, such as the Colliers Causeway, the Centennial Grove Grotto Canyon, and Fort Rock.
This exciting walking track has multiple entry points, but a good spot to start this adventure is at the end of Burton Road in Blackheath.
And since there are multiple entry and exit points, you can choose to do parts of the walk rather than the entire loop. It’s quite a challenging hike, with various obstacles, and not every dog will be ready for that.
| Porters Pass Circuit | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 5.5 km (circuit) |
| Grade: | Moderate / hard |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Trailhead: | Map location |
