Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

By | September 19, 2021
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Another great walk ~ The Conservation Hut loop walk to Valley of the Waters including Empress and Sylvia Falls, Wentworth Pass, lower drop of Wentworth Falls, Slack Stairs, Wentworth Falls first drop, the grand Stairway and back to the Conservation Hut, Wentworth Falls.

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

This is a great day walk, perhaps the best in the Blue Mountains. It offers some of the best waterfalls and lookouts in the Blue Mountains. It also has lots of steps. NPWS grade this walk as: Grade 4

TIP: We recommend doing the walk anti-clockwise from the Conservation Hut, rather than going clockwise down via Wentworth Falls. There are 2 reason for this recommendation. The walk out is easier via Slack Stairs (ladders) (See “Elevation Chart”) and the ladders are far easier to go up rather than down.

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KEY POINTS

  • Distance: About 5km
  • Time: 5 hours
  • Best time of the day: Any time
  • Kid-safe: Yes, if they are confident bushwalkers and with close supervision. The ladders are steep and the cliffs are high.
  • Dogs on-leash: No
  • Steps: Lots and lots 
  • Accessible: No
  • Heights: Lots of high spots
  • Must do rating out of 10: 9

ACCESS: Park here: https://w3w.co/cynical.flagged.lobster

Be sure to tell someone about your walking plans before you go and let them know when you’re back.

Follow the Valley of the Waters signs down into the valley and continue past Empress and Sylvia Falls and a few smaller ones.

Not long after Sylvia Falls the track goes across the creek. It’s largely unmarked and has a couple of big rocks to clamber over. 

About 20 minutes further on the track gets very rough and hard to see. It appears to end at a small creek. You need to clamber up a rocky slope until you see a BIG yellow arrow. You are now back on track.

When you get to the base of the 2nd drop of Wentworth Falls, stop and enjoy a snack. From there the track up to the beginning of the ladders is very rough. Going up the ladders isn’t difficult, just take care, they are ver steep. 

When you get to the top, turn right and follow the track around to Wentworth Falls 1st drop then up the Grand Stairway. Then back to the carpark and take the “Short Cut Track” back to the Conservation Hut.

OPTION: From the top of Wentworth Falls you could turn left and take the “Undercliff Track” around to where it joins up with the “Overcliff Track”. That will take you back to the Conservation Hut. That will about 1 hour to your walking time.

NOTE: National Pass from Valley of Waters to Slacks Stairs is closed.

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Elevation Chart

 

 

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

National Pass track is closed

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Creek crossing poorly marked

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Track is poorly identified

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Lunch

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

Track to Slack Stairs is a bit rough

Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls Valley of the Waters loop track via Slack Stairs Wentworth Falls

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