The Fortress Ridge Trail is a wonderful hike in the Blue Mountains, offering stunning panoramic views of the Grose Valley from its endpoint.
For those looking to explore further, you can extend the walk with a side trail to Fortress Rock, a spectacular lookout with scenic views of Govetts Creek and the surrounding cliff walls.
| Fortress Ridge Trail | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7.5 km (return) / 9 km (including Fortress Rock) |
| Time: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The Fortress Ridge Trail begins at the Fortress Ridge Carpark, situated about 9 kilometres along Mount Hay Road (see location on map).
Mount Hay Road can be accessed from the Great Western Highway, near Leura Mall. The final 6 kilometres of the road leading to the carpark are unsealed.
While the unsealed section can be a bit challenging depending on the conditions, we’ve found that it’s manageable with a 2WD vehicle if driven with care.
Map
In the map below:
A: Fortress Ridge Carpark
B: Fortress Ridge Lookout
C: Fortress Rock
The car park is relatively small, but since this is not the busiest hike in the Blue Mountains, you should be able to park there.
Track Notes
The Fortress Ridge Trail is mostly flat, apart from the steep fire trail at the start. Although there’s no signage, the trail is relatively easy to follow.
Some sections of the track can be slightly overgrown, and a bit of climbing is required, but overall, the walking track is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
The trail begins at the gate at the western end of the carpark, starting as a fire trail.
This fire trail is perhaps a bit uninspiring, but the walk will soon get a lot more exciting.
A few hundred metres in, the path splits into two. To reach Fortress Ridge first, continue straight ahead at this intersection.
Otherwise, if you’re heading to Fortress Rock first, take the path to the left. We recommend starting with Fortress Ridge, as it’s the longer walk.
The Fortress Ridge Trail begins as a fire trail before transitioning into a bushwalk that takes you through a variety of vegetation and scenery.
Some parts of the walk are wide and open, while others are narrow, weaving through dense vegetation.
This mix of landscapes adds to the trail’s charm, making it both exciting and enjoyable, with the stunning views at the end of the ridge serving as the ultimate reward.
Fortress Ridge Lookout
At the end of the trail, to reach the lookout platform, look for a faint path branching to the right around the rocky outcrop.
This short path leads to a rocky viewing platform that offers uninterrupted, far-reaching views.
On a clear day, you can spot several iconic Blue Mountains landmarks, including Govetts Leap, Lockleys Pylon, Du Faur Head, Mount Banks, the Blue Gum Forest, and Mount Hay.
When you’ve finished soaking in the breathtaking views at Fortress Ridge, retrace your steps back to the intersection with the trail leading to Fortress Rock.
Fortress Rock
The second walking track, leading to Fortress Rock, is much shorter than the trail to Fortress Ridge.
This is an easy walk overall, apart from the final section where the trail descends steeply to the lookout. Keep in mind that the lookout is unfenced, so exercise caution.
The views from Fortress Rock are stunning, featuring a section of the Grose Valley where Govetts Creek winds through, framed by towering cliff walls.
If you look closely, you may spot a waterfall at the base of the cliff to the west. This is an unnamed waterfall on Govetts Creek, which eventually flows into the Grose River further down the valley.
The Fortress Ridge Trail is one of several walking tracks on Mount Hay Rd. If you’re keen to do more walks nearby, check out the Lockleys Pylon Walking Track (very close by) and the Mount Hay Summit Walk (at the end of Mount Hay Rd).
