Hello Members EOI – needed by Monday 12 August 2024.
You may have seen some coverage in the media earlier this year with the announcement of the opening of a new Blue Mountains hiking trail called the Grand Cliff Top Walk. This new trail connects existing trails stretching from Wentworth Falls to Scenic World in Katoomba – about 24km in total. After recently completing a reconnaissance, this trail has been added to our club’s bushwalking calendar, details below;
If this walk appeals, please send your EOI (with the names of people participating) to Melanie Trethowan – meltrethowan@gmail.com by Monday 12 August 2024.
Mon. 2 September – Day 1 Grand Cliff Top Walk – Meet 8am Wentworth Falls Train Station and walk to/connect with Leura Train station – 12.5km
Tues. 3 September – Day 2 Grand Cliff Top Walk – Meet 9am Leura Train Station and walk to/connect with Scenic World/Katoomba – 11.5km
Description: This is a stunning walk with endless views over the valleys, numberless lookouts, waterfalls and cascades. By early September the bush should be full of Spring blooms and, of course, the amount and diversity of birdsong is always a highlight. If you download the National Parks & Wildlife Service app, you can also download the map of the Grand Cliff Top Walk for use offline. It will show you all the main features and attractions of the trail. Please note: when the reccie was completed, there were a number of closures and short detours due to flooding and landslips. While this was a bit disappointing, there is still much beauty to be enjoyed. Rating: This track is rated medium-to-hard. The path underfoot is very well-formed, but as you can imagine, there are a large number of steep steps and stairs going down and up…and down again. There are boardwalks, paved paths, gravel and some short sections of street/road walking. At times the track can be damp and slippery underfoot if there has been recent rain. Walking poles may be useful in these sections. Hiking shoes or sneakers/joggers would be suitable for this trail – as long as they have good tread/grip. Day 2 is noticeably easier than that Day 1 due to less descents and ascents. Accommodation: There are a large number of accommodation options in the Blue Mountains to suit any budget. As we are walking mid-week, accommodation costs are usually substantially lower. For a very central, cheap and cheerful option I can recommend the Katoomba Town Centre Motel – only seconds’ walk from Katoomba’s main street. It’s a bit tired, but clean and comfortable, and the location is excellent. It is entirely up to you where you stay and I encourage you to make your bookings early and direct. Connections: Using public transport is a good way to get to the start (and back) of each section of the trail. Trains run regularly and a public bus connects Scenic World to Katoomba CBD if you don’t want to walk back to town. An Opal card to tap on/off is handy. Catering: Day 1: pack your own snacks or enjoy a delicious morning tea and coffee at the Conservation Hut Café. Coffees are around $5 and the All-day Breakfast menu runs from $7-18. A later lunch can be found in Leura or your destination of choice. Catering Day 2: pack snacks if required although this shorter section may mean we reach Echo Point/Three Sisters for coffee or we could be all done and dusted by 11am. If this walk appeals, see above for contact details.