The Valley of the Waters Track is a rewarding hike in the Wentworth Falls area of the Blue Mountains, following a creek as it winds down into the valley.
This steep track is a real treat, passing several beautiful waterfalls and cascades, including Empress Falls, Sylvia Falls, and Lodore Falls.
| Valley of the Waters Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.5 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep sections) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The Valley of the Waters Track starts at the Conservation Hut in Wentworth Falls.
Getting there is straightforward. From the Great Western Highway, turn into Falls Road, then take a right onto Fletcher Street, which leads to a well-sized car park.
The Conservation Hut, now operating as a café, is the starting point for several walking tracks in the area, including:
- Valley of the Waters Track
- Nature Track
- Overcliff Undercliff Track
- Empress Falls Track
For a great hiking adventure, we recommend combining the Nature Track with the Valley of the Waters Track. These two trails connect just before Empress Falls, forming a loop walk.
Always check the National Parks website for any track closures before heading out.
Track Notes
The Valley of the Waters Track is relatively short but quite steep as it descends into the valley alongside the creek. The trail is well-maintained, clearly signposted, and easy to follow.
We strongly recommend wearing proper hiking shoes, as the path can become slippery, especially during or after rain.
Below is a map of the walk, with the following waterfalls marked from one to four:
- Empress Falls
- Sylvia Falls
- Lodore Falls
- Flat Rock Falls
Start of the Walk
Once you’ve arrived at the Conservation Hut, look for the start of the walking trail to the left of the building, where the path leads into the bush.
The first section is an easy-to-follow path with wooden steps, leading to Queen Victoria Lookout, which offers fantastic views over the Jamison Valley.
Shortly after, you’ll reach Empress Lookout, where you can spot the top of Empress Falls if you look closely.
From Empress Lookout, the track quickly descends into the valley via metal stairs and steps cut into the rock.
While this part of the walk is quite steep, handrails and stairs make it safe and manageable.
The track soon reaches an intersection with the Nature Track. Turn left here to stay on the main trail to Empress Falls.
1. Empress Falls
Before reaching Empress Falls, the track crosses Isobel Creek via stepping stones and enters a lush, rainforest-like environment.
Just past the creek crossing, Empress Falls becomes visible through the trees. The path curves around the waterfall and continues via another set of stepping stones in front of the water spectacle.
The views from here are spectacular, and if you’re lucky, you might spot canyoners abseiling down the falls into the pool below.
2. Sylvia Falls
The stepping stones in front of Empress Falls mark where the track crosses Valley of the Waters Creek.
To continue to Sylvia Falls, follow the path beyond the creek crossing. The next waterfall then soon appears on your left.
The track descends further into the valley via a staircase alongside Sylvia Falls, eventually reaching another set of stepping stones directly in front of the cascade.
Don’t forget to look back! The views in the other direction are just as rewarding, with the valley below and the surrounding cliff walls framing the scene.
3. Lodore Falls
After crossing the creek once again via stepping stones, the track continues downhill via a set of stairs, with the valley and creek to your right.
This is where Valley of the Waters Creek makes a dramatic drop, forming the large and impressive Lodore Falls.
While Lodore Falls is certainly a highlight, the views are mostly obscured by trees along the path. That said, there are a few spots where you can catch glimpses of the waterfall.
4. Flat Rock Falls
The track soon passes an intersection with the National Pass walking track (closed indefinitely) and continues in a zigzag fashion towards Flat Rock Falls.
This waterfall is a bit smaller than the previous ones, but it’s just as pretty in its own way.
More Waterfalls
The trail continues beyond Flat Rock Falls with more waterfalls to discover, however, this section has been closed for quite some time.
These waterfalls are:
- Brittania Falls
- Red Rock Falls
- Vera Falls
Brittania Falls and Red Rock Falls are not too far from Flat Rock Falls, but Vera Falls is quite a bit further into the valley, and the track there is challenging.
The Valley of the Waters Track is one of many hikes that include one or more waterfalls. Read our guide on the best waterfalls in the Blue Mountains for more such walks.
