The Mount Hay Summit Walk is a relatively short but steep hike that leads to the summit of a distinctive mountain peak in a secluded part of the Blue Mountains.
The Butterbox Point Walk, which shares the same trailhead, offers spectacular views of the Grose Valley and its dramatic cliff walls.
Most visitors to this remote area in the Blue Mountains combine both walks in one outing, though you can also choose to do just one of the two walks.
| Mount Hay Summit and Butterbox Point Walk | |
|---|---|
| Total distance: | 6 km |
| – Mount Hay Summit: | 3 km (return) |
| – Butterbox Point: | 3 km (return) |
| Time: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep sections) |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Route: | Google Maps |
Getting There
Both walking tracks begin at the Mount Hay and Butterbox Point carpark, located at the end of Mount Hay Road.
Mount Hay Road can be accessed from the Great Western Highway near the Leura Mall exit. While the first 3 km of the road are sealed, the remaining 13 km are unsealed.
Although it’s possible to navigate this road with a 2WD vehicle, we recommend using a 4WD or a 2WD SUV with higher ground clearance for this trip.
In the below map:
- P: Car park
- 1: Mount Hay Summit
- 2: Butterbox Point
Track Notes
Both walking tracks are moderately challenging, with steep sections and sections where the path can be overgrown.
There are also a few sections where some rock scrambling and light climbing are required, so wearing proper hiking shoes is essential.
Tackling both walking tracks in one go will take about three hours, depending on browsing time.
1. Mount Hay Summit Walk
After arriving at the car park at the end of Mount Hay Road, look for the information board, where you can learn more about this fascinating area of the Blue Mountains.
The walking track starts right next to this information board, with Mount Hay clearly visible in the distance.
The path to the summit of Mount Hay is relatively easy to follow, though there are a few spots where you might veer slightly off track. However, with the summit always in sight, there’s little chance of getting lost.
Not far from the starting point, you’ll reach an intersection with the Butterbox Point Track. If your plan is to head to Mount Hay’s summit first, simply continue straight ahead.
As you approach the summit, the vegetation becomes noticeably denser. Like Mount Banks to the north, Mount Hay is a basalt-capped mountain formed by volcanic lava flows millions of years ago.
This basalt has created highly fertile soil, resulting in lush vegetation at the summit. However, this also means that views from the top are almost completely obscured by trees.
For this reason, you don’t necessarily need to reach the highest point of the mountain to enjoy the hike.
Walk as far as you’re comfortable, as the views of the surrounding valleys and cliffs are spectacular from the start of the track.
When you’ve finished soaking in the scenery on the Mount Hay track, retrace your steps to the intersection with the Butterbox Point Track to begin the second part of the walk.
The Mount Hay summit walk is very similar to the Mount Banks Summit Walk, both in length as well as in scenery. The start of this hike is along Bells Line of Road.
2. Butterbox Point Walk
At the intersection, head west towards Butterbox Point. The views along this track are arguably even more impressive than those on the Mount Hay Summit Walk, so you’re in for a real treat.
It’s worth noting that some sections of this track are very narrow and run close to cliff edges. Exercise caution at all times, especially in wet or windy conditions.
Shortly after the first intersection, you’ll reach a second one, where a side track provides access to Butterbox Canyon. At this point, stay on the main path leading to Butterbox Point.
The trail eventually arrives at an unusual rock formation, a monolith, with a cave-like structure at its base. Here, the track splits in two, with both paths rejoining on the other side of the rock formation.
You can take either route, but the path to the right runs very close to the cliff edge, making it a more daunting and risky option.
If the track is muddy or the weather is windy, we strongly recommend taking the path to the left to minimise any potential danger.
After the two paths converge, the track continues on to Butterbox Point, where you’ll be rewarded with even more breathtaking panoramic views of the Grose Valley.
If you’re keen to do more walks in the area, the Lockleys Pylon Walking Track is a good choice. This hike starts from Mount Hay Rd and leads to a hill with fantastic Grose Valley views. Another option is the Fortress Ridge Trail, which also starts from Mount Hay Rd.
