Walls Ledge, Colliers Causeway & Centennial Glen

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Route: Walls Ledge Loop Track, The Grotto, Centennial Glen, Colliers Causeway, Porters Pass, Lamberts Lookout, Fort Rock, Centennial Glen, Centennial Pass, Wall Ledge

Date: 06/06/2020
From: Centennial Glen Road

Parking: Centennial Glen Road
Start Point: Walls Loop Track
Finish Point: Walls Loop Track
Region: Blue Mountains National Park

Route length: 4.2 miles (6.7km)
Time taken: 03:00
Average speed: 1.4 mph
Ascent: 324m
Descent: 306m

Points of Interest: Walls Ledge, The Grotto, Colliers Causeway, Porters Pass, Lamberts Lookout, Fort Rock, Centennial Glen

With travel restrictions now lifting, we're able to get a bit further afield - out of Sydney and back up to the Blue Mountains. While it may be 'old news' now in the wake of COVID and the BLM protests, much of the Blue Mountains area is still closed due to the devastating bushfires during the 19/20 summer. The Grose Valley, east of the town of Blackheath and home to the beautiful Grand Canyon Track, is probably the worst affected with most popular tracks and lookouts off-limits.

West of Blackheath however, was spared from the flames thanks to the efforts of the Rural Fire Service, so we plotted a route around one of the Blue Mountains' hidden gems, Centennial Glen, which includes the spectacular Walls Ledge track and Colliers Causeway. Being the first long weekend after lockdown, the main road to the mountains was very busy, much like any typical bank holiday in the UK. We arrived at the parking area an hour later than expected.

A small parking area and toilets stand at the top of Centennial Glen with a few paths shooting off in different directions. Rather than begin with a direct descent into the valley, we opted to take a more circuitous route to make an approach along the Walls Ledge Track.

The view from the car park

Beginning our journey along the Walls Ledge Loop

The path starts from an elevated position and there are immediately fine views of the cliffs looking towards Mount Victoria, as well as the lush, green Kanimbla valley. The rocky path heads south at first before doubling back on itself to meet the beginning of the Walls Ledge Track.

Looking along the Kanimbla Valley towards Mount Piddington

The Kanimbla Valley

Starting along the Walls Ledge Track

Walls Ledge Track

As the name implies, Walls Ledge is an interesting track that follows the halfway ledge between the upper and lower cliffs of the Shipley Plateau. In places, it is narrow enough to warrant a few protective rails to prevent an unwelcome tumble into the valley below. The sun-soaked cliffs are extremely popular with climbers and there were several groups out today, enjoying being released from lockdown.

Walls Ledge

Climbers enjoying the sandstone cliffs along the Walls Ledge Track

Walls Ledge

The Walls Ledge Track

The sandstone which dominates the Blue Mountains

Looking back along the track

Towards the end of the Walls Ledge route is a fine view of the cliffs and valley below before the path enters the rainforest. We passed around a large basin and started a descent into Centennial Glen.

A narrow section of the Walls Ledge

Kanimbla Valley

Walls Ledge panorama

Passing beneath a large overhang

Looking back along Walls Ledge

Kanimbla Valley

Descending into Centennial Glen

A steep set of metal steps descent into the canyon, meeting a signed path at the bottom. Before continuing the walk, a short detour leads into a dark slot canyon (The Grotto) with a waterfall at the far end. Reaching the waterfall requires a tricky shuffle along a rock shelf with a short, awkward move around an outcrop of rock. It's actually quite exposed, though a fall would lead to little more than getting wet.

Entering The Grotto

The waterfall at the end of The Grotto

The Grotto

The Grotto

After exploring The Grotto, we returned to the track junction and continued in the direction of Colliers Causeway. The path makes a spectacular descent alongside the lower waterfalls of Centennial Glen – the amusingly named Slippery Dip Falls. The carved stone steps and metal rails certainly get you close to the action.

At the top of Slippery Dip falls

Steps descend alongside the waterfall

Another set of winding stone steps

Colliers Causeway

A glimpse of the views between the trees

Colliers Causeway is one of the less well-publicised tracks in the Blackheath area of the Blue Mountains and is quite spectacular in its own right. The path winds along a series of ledges and terraces, passing beneath the occasional overhanging cliff or waterfall. Though the overall length is quite short, Colliers Causeway possesses a great deal of variety along its length.

Colliers Causeway

Colliers Causeway

Eucalyptus trees

Cliffs along Colliers Causeway

Colliers Causeway

Colliers Causeway

Kanimbla Valley

The gap in the cliffs at Porters Pass

We soon arrived at the base of Porters Pass, one of the oldest tracks in the Blue Mountains, dating back to 1888, though it is probable that Indigenous people pioneered the routes down the western escarpment thousands of years before. Steps, typical of the Blue Mountains, make a steep climb up the Porters Pass gully. At the top of the gully is Lamberts Lookout (located just off the main track) which has a sweeping view of the valley from one of the many rock outcrops.

Waterfalls at the foot of Porters Pass

Waterfalls

Porters Pass

Climbing Porters Pass

Porters Pass

Porters Pass

Emerging at the top of Porters Pass

Lamberts Lookout

The top of Porters Pass from Lamberts Lookout

Lamberts Lookout

The path climbs a little further before dropping down again, crossing an open expanse of hillside. This leads to Fort Rock, a large, isolated rock at a junction of paths. The view from atop the rock is supposed to be good, but it had been occupied by a large bushwalking group when we arrived.

Wattle in bloom

Open hillside below the Mountains Christian School

Looking out over Kanimbla

Cliffs below Mount Victoria

Kanimbla

The Shipley Plateau

Fort Rock

From Fort Rock, we descended down once again, into the northern end of Centennial Glen. The lush, shady canyon features a series of waterfalls and sandstone overhangs and, like Walls Ledge, is popular with climbers. We passed through the canyon to re-join the Walls Ledge track (we'd passed the junction earlier in the day. This short part of the loop makes a final climb back to the car park above the glen.

Above Centennial Glen

Waterfall in Centennial Glen

Centennial Glen

Leaving Centennial Glen