The historic Dardanelles Pass Circuit Walk is a scenic bushwalk that winds through Leura Forest and along the cliff edge overlooking the Jamison Valley.
This adventurous track has plenty to offer, from waterfalls and lush rainforests to stunning valley views and some steep climbs.
| Dardanelles Pass Circuit Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 5 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate / hard (steep sections) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
Since this is a circuit walk, you can start from multiple locations. The most logical starting point is at the junction of Merriwa Street and Cliff Drive, at the northern end of the walk.
Another option is to begin at Echo Point, where a 500-metre walk along the Three Sisters Walk leads to the top of the Giant Stairway.
We recommend parking on Merriwa Street and starting the hike from there. Echo Point is typically very busy, making parking much harder to find.
Below is a map of the walk, showing parking on Merriwa Street at the junction with Cliff Drive. You’ll find a sign across the road marking the starting point of the trail.
Find the entire route in this interactive map.
Track Notes
The Dardanelles Pass Circuit Walk is considered moderately challenging. It’s not particularly long, but it does include a couple of very steep sections.
The track passes through Leura Forest in the valley and follows the escarpment above. This means you’ll face a steep descent on one side of the walk and a steep ascent on the other.
The most challenging part is the historic Giant Stairway at the Three Sisters, which is extremely steep and features more than 900 steps.
For this reason, we recommend doing the circuit in an anticlockwise direction. This way, you’ll descend into the valley via the Giant Stairway rather than having to climb it. The ascent on the other side of the walk is much more gradual and somewhat easier.
1. Cliff Walk
At the junction of Cliff Drive and Merriwa Street, look for the sign pointing to the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Echo Point. This is where you’ll start the walk, heading into the bush via the wooden steps.
This section of the circuit follows the cliff edge towards the Three Sisters and is part of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Along the way, you’ll pass several scenic lookout points.
These lookouts, including Banksia Lookout, Honeymoon Point, and Lady Carrington Lookout, all offer fantastic views of the Jamison Valley.
2. Giant Stairway
After about 1.5 km along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, the trail connects with the Three Sisters Walk, leading to the Giant Stairway.
Opened in 1932, the 540-metre-long Giant Stairway descends more than 300 metres into the Jamison Valley, showcasing an impressive feat of engineering.
This unique structure consists of more than 900 steps, made up of steel staircases and steps cut directly into the cliff face.
The Giant Stairway was designed to connect the clifftop at Echo Point with the Federal Pass in the valley below. Access to it is through a classic archway structure.
Before heading down, you can cross the Honeymoon Bridge, which leads to a rock overhang that forms part of the first of the Three Sisters.
At the bottom of the stairway, you’ll reach an intersection with a signpost.
The path to the right leads to the Scenic World valley stations via the Federal Pass, while the path to the left takes you into Leura Forest along the Dardanelles Pass. That’s the direction you need to follow for this walk.
3. Dardanelles Pass
The Dardanelles Pass serves as a historical link between the walking tracks in the Leura area and the base of the Giant Stairway in Katoomba.
Despite having a few picnic tables and artificial shelters, Leura Forest feels like a world of its own, far removed from civilisation.
Thanks to constant runoff from the cliffs and the shelter of towering trees, water is plentiful in the valley. As a result, the forest rarely dries out, creating a pleasantly humid, subtropical environment.
4. Fern Bower
Leaving Leura Forest behind, the track continues towards three small but picturesque waterfalls along Linda Creek, with Linda Falls being the most impressive.
Lila Falls, Marguerite Cascades, and Linda Falls mark the beginning of the climb out of the valley via the Fern Bower Track. This stretch is also part of the Bridal Veil Falls Loop, a walk we highly recommend doing.
The Fern Bower area is a stunning section of the circuit, sheltered from drying winds and the summer heat.
Here, the forest becomes lush and green, with towering Sassafras and Coachwood trees providing shade for ferns to thrive on the forest floor. The area is also home to a variety of bird and mammal species.
While the ascent via Fern Bower isn’t as challenging as the Giant Stairway, it shouldn’t be underestimated. The best approach is to take your time and enjoy the beautiful bushland surroundings.
Towards the end of the climb, you’ll reach a junction with the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Turn left here, and at the next junction, turn right to return to Cliff Drive, completing the circuit!
