Six Foot Track, Blue Mountains

Fast facts

• Historic bridle trail through the Megalong Valley
• Katoomba to Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains
• 42 km

Why walk it

One of Australia’s classic walks, the Six Foot Track follows the route of the original 1884 horse track that was carved through rock and bush to take tourists from Katoomba to the Jenolan Caves.

Rising high to cross mountain ranges and falling into deep troughs on the other side, the track takes walkers through a range of habitats - rainforest, eucalypt forests, open grazing country. There are spectacular natural features, including caves, sheer sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and incredible panoramas of richly-forested valleys.

The walk, which usually takes three days to complete, can be done as a do-it-yourself adventure or as a guided trip with one of several tour operators, such as Great Australian Walks. There are campsites at three places along the track. The walk ends at Jenolan Caves, famous for its limestone caves.

Along the way

Relish the cool, moist fern garden of the rainforest in Nellies Glen, at the foot of the steep descent from Katoomba.

Watch for wildlife along the trail - you might spot kangaroos, wallaroos, echidnas, lizards, snakes, wombats and swamp wallabies and, at night, possums in the trees.

Take it slow and solo when you cross Bowtell’s Bridge, a wire spiderwork, suspended high above the Cox’s River.

Don’t miss

• The sound of a whip bird in a rainforest gully.
• Hot chocolate at Caves House at the end of the hike.
• The stunning views from the top of the Black Range.
• The amazing stalactites in the Temple of Baal, Jenolan Caves.
• The historic huts and homesteads near the Mini Mini Saddle.