The Katoomba Falls Round Walk is a family-friendly trail that leads to several lookouts, each offering stunning views of the iconic waterfall.
This beautiful segmented waterfall is situated between Echo Point and Scenic World in the Katoomba area of the Blue Mountains.
In this article, we will share the highlights and essential details of this walk.
Katoomba Falls Round Walk | |
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Distance: | 2 km (circuit) |
Duration: | 1 hour (depending on stops) |
Grade: | Moderate (some steep sections) |
Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The best way to get to the start of the Katoomba Falls Round Walk is by parking your car in the car park at Scenic World, located on the corner of Violet Street and Cliff Drive (see map location).
Another option is to park at Katoomba Falls Reserve. From there, you can cross the road and access the walk from a different point (see map location).
If you’re travelling by public transport, there are various bus stops along Scenic Drive and only a short trip from Katoomba Station.
Map
Below is a map of the walk. From the car park at Scenic World, we recommended doing the walking trail anti-clockwise for the best experience.
P: Scenic World Parking.
X: Katoomba Falls.
Track Notes
The below track notes assume you’re starting from Scenic World and are walking in an anti-clockwise manner.
It’s a fairly easy walk, but quite steep in parts. We recommend wearing reliable hiking shoes to make it easier to navigate the path.
1. Start of the Walk
The start of the Katoomba Falls Round Walk is located between the car park and the main entrance to Scenic World.
Look for the green signpost and make your way to the wooden boardwalk. This is also the starting point of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, a 7 km hike between Scenic World and the Gordon Falls Lookout in Leura.
At the first intersection at the end of the boardwalk, keep going straight towards the Scenic World Valley Stations via the Federal Pass.
As the track winds its way down, slowly getting closer to the waterfall, you’ll soon arrive at the Vaniman’s lookout with excellent views of the Three Sisters, the Valley below, and the Scenic Skyway.
2. Juliets Balcony
After another 150 metres, the track makes a sharp left turn. The next major lookout point, Juliets Balcony, can be easily missed as it’s not signposted.
It can be accessed by climbing up a small staircase leading to a rock platform and fenced-off balcony-style area.
Juliets Balcony is your first real opportunity to witness the sheer beauty of the entire Katoomba Falls waterfall.
As the panoramic views from the balcony lookout are so impressive, many visitors tend to stick around here for a while to take it all in.
3. Katoomba Falls
As you head back down from Juliets Balcony, turn right and follow the walking path heading north.
At the next intersection, turn right and head south towards Federal Pass and Scenic World Valley Stations.
At the Rainforest Lookout, turn right and follow the track until you get to the intersection with Underfalls Walk.
The Underfalls Walk is a short sidetrack that leads to a viewing platform right next to the waterfall. The views from there of both Katoomba Falls looking up and the Jamison Valley on the other side are amazing.
Arguably one of the prettiest waterfalls in the greater Blue Mountains region, Katoomba Falls forms part of the Kedumba River, which drops almost 150 metres into Jamison Valley.
Kedumba River is a 20 km long perennial river that rises at Lake Catalina in Katoomba. The river starts as a small creek flowing through parkland west of the Katoomba town centre. It then evolves into the popular Katoomba Cascades before it plunges into the valley as Katoomba Falls.
4. Witches Leap
Once you’ve finished admiring the views, return to the same intersection and turn right towards Katoomba Cliff Drive.
Cross the wooden bridge over the creek and follow the track as it winds down towards Witches Leap.
Witches Leap is a small waterfall that drops over a rock formation. When there hasn’t been much rain, though, you may not even see any water.
Look carefully, and you may be able to recognise a face profile in the rocks. Can you see it?
5. Reids Plateau (Optional)
Continue on the main walking track climbing out of the forest until you arrive at an intersection with four paths. The path to the right is a short loop trail exploring the Reids Plateau, signposted as Katoomba Falls Lookouts.
If you have an extra 10 minutes to spend, this trail is worth it, as the views from the plateau are really good. It takes in three main lookouts:
- Solitary Lookout
- Katoomba Falls Lookout
- Orphan Rock Lookout
The Katoomba Falls Lookout, in particular, is impressive, with fantastic views of the waterfall, the Jamison Valley, and the Scenic Skyway.
Once you’re finished exploring Reids Plateau, walk back to the four-way intersection. The path to the east is the Prince Henry Cliff Walk that leads to Katoomba Cascades, followed by Echo Point and the Three Sisters Walk.
The path to the north connects with the last section of the Katoomba Falls Round Walk, which takes you back to Scenic World and the car park.
Keen to discover more of these beautiful waterfalls? Read our guide to the most scenic waterfalls in the Blue Mountains for inspiration!
Wow we do have some amazing, scenic locations in Australia, I was born in country NSW and you just take all this for granted when living amongst it, now that I live in city you forget how beautiful this country is until you see something like this absolutely amazing, well done.
Thanks so much Elizabeth, and yes you’re absolutely right, there are so many beautiful things to discover in Sydney and New South Wales.
Just wondering, do we need to pay to have access to those tracks since we need to pay $57 for scenic world?
Hi John, these walking tracks are open to everyone. No need to have tickets to Scenic World to be able to access the Katoomba Falls round walk.
Can you still park at Scenic World and do this walk even when scenic world shuts at 4pm?
Hi Charlotte, not sure if you can still park your car at Scenic World when they’re closed, but the walk is still accessible. You can otherwise also park your car on the road nearby.
Wondering if this track can be done with a stroller ?
Definitely not Alicia, there are lots of steps and other challenges on this track.