The 7 km return walking trail from Hat Hill to Bald Head winds through pleasant bushland before arriving at a panoramic vantage point.
The scenic views of the Grose Valley from Bald Head, along with nearby iconic landmarks, make the walk well worth the effort.
| Hat Hill to Bald Head Walking Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7 km (return) |
| Duration: | 2.5 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (some steep sections) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The walking track to Bald Head from Hat Hill is located in the Blackheath area of the Blue Mountains. The walk starts at the end of Hat Hill Road, where Perrys Lookdown Road begins (see map).
A small parking area is located on the eastern side of the road. Since this is not a well-known walk, you’re unlikely to have any issues finding a spot.
Below is a map of this walk.
Track Notes
This is a moderately challenging hike with a few steep sections, but anyone with a reasonable level of fitness should be able to complete it without issues. We recommend wearing reliable hiking shoes.
It’s also worth noting that the walking track from Hat Hill to Bald Head is not officially signposted or marked. While the path is generally easy to follow, there are a few junctions where it can get a little confusing.
Hat Hill
Once you’ve parked, cross the road and start the hike next to the Blue Mountains National Park signpost.
The trail soon heads uphill towards the summit of Hat Hill. While it’s not a particularly steep climb, the path itself can be a bit challenging.
From the summit, the track continues through open terrain with distant valley views on both sides.
After a couple of kilometres, the landscape shifts to thicker vegetation with more trees, offering a pleasant change in scenery.
First Lookout
After approximately 3 km of hiking, the path reaches a rocky area where you’ll catch the first glimpses of Bald Head and the Grose Valley.
While the views from this lookout aren’t the best, it’s a great spot to take a break before starting the final stretch of the walk.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that this spot is actually the end of the main walking track, but it isn’t!
To continue to Bald Head, look for the path heading downhill on the eastern side of the rocky area. It’s not very obvious, but it’s definitely there.
Bald Head
Although short, this final stretch of the track is the toughest, with a steep descent followed by a steep climb to the top of Bald Head.
But once you reach Bald Head, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of the Grose Valley and beyond, including the impressive cliff walls surrounding the valley and several nearby landmarks.
If you look closely, you might be able to spot the following:
- Hanging Rock (to the west).
- Walls Lookout (to the north).
- Mount Banks (to the east).
If you enjoyed the walk from Hat Hill to Bald Head, you’ll likely appreciate the walking tracks to these three landmarks as well. They offer a similar experience with equally scenic views.
