Wentworth Falls to Katoomba via Lindeman Pass

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Route: Wentworth Falls Station, Falls Road, Princes Rock Lookout, Undercliff Track, Den Fenella, Overcliff Track, Lyrebird Lookout, Empress Lookout, Isobel Creek, Nature Track, Grand Cliff Top Track, Inspiration Point Track, Moya Point Lookout, Roberts Pass, Lindeman Pass, Dash's Cave, Gordon Falls Lower, Microstrobos Falls, Leura Falls, Federal Pass, Jamison Lookout, Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Tallawarra Lookout, Three Sisters Track, Echo Point, Echo Point Road, Lurline Street, Katoomba Station

Date: 13/03/2021
From: Wentworth Falls

Parking: N/A
Start Point: Wentworth Falls
Finish Point: Katoomba
Region: Blue Mountains National Park

Route length: 13.4 miles (21.5km)
Time taken: 08:30
Average speed: 1.7 mph
Ascent: 963m
Descent: 792m

Points of Interest: Wentworth Falls, Den Fenella, Roberts Pass, Lindeman Pass

Update October 2022: 

LINDEMAN PASS IS CLOSED DUE TO A MAJOR LANDSLIDE BELOW GLADSTONE LOOKOUT

Read any guidebook for the Blue Mountains and it's very likely none will mention Lindeman Pass, even though it's marked on local maps, as clear as day. The route between Wentworth Falls and Katoomba is entirely logical yet receives very few visitors, unlike the neighbouring Federal Pass. Why is this? I set off to find out.

The history of the pass is an interesting one. It was the brainchild of Charles Lindeman, who took it upon himself to devise and construct the missing link between Katoomba and Wentworth Falls. He personally surveyed the route, linking several old mining routes and passes in the valley. All was going well, until 1911, when local Katoomba business owners began to object, fearing they would lose their business to Wentworth Falls. The anti-German sentiment at the outbreak of WWI was the final nail in the coffin for Lindeman Pass, despite there being only 200m left to complete.

The pass fell into decay until the 1980s when Jim Smith and Wilf Hilder made attempts to re-open the track and welcome a new generation of bushwalkers to the Blue Mountains. It has never officially been completed but Jim Smith's work and documentation have made it more popular - keeping the track somewhat defined.

I decided to use Lindeman Pass as it was originally intended, by hiking from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba and allowing myself plenty of time to do so. It was early morning when I arrived at Wentworth Falls station with a fine, dry day on the horizon.

The first part of this hike was through some familiar territory at Wentworth Falls, however, a long march from the train station is necessary to reach the cliffs. Normally you could hike the Charles Darwin Track along Jamison Creek, which is very pretty, however, it is currently closed while they repair storm damage. Instead, a simple hike down the arrow-straight Falls Road leads to the car park.

The first lookout of the day at Wentworth Falls

I made my way downhill to the lookout at Princes Rock, which has a superb view of the towering waterfall - perhaps only bettered by Rocket Point on the opposite side of the valley. The lookout track then links up with the Overcliff Track which heads westwards along the clifftops. The Overcliff Track has recently been renovated so is in excellent condition.

Mount Solitary

Wentworth Falls seen from Princes Rock

Wentworth Falls

National Pass descends the cliffs next to Wentworth Falls

Around halfway along the Overcliff Track is a junction with a smaller trail into Den Fenella, a place I have passed by several times but never ventured in so, this time, I decided to take a look. 

The Overcliff Track

Turns out it's a fabulous little place, an isolated rainforest gully clinging to a crevice in the cliffs. The track follows the gully before winding down a steep set of steps and crossing a bridge before reaching a lookout. Truth be told, the gully is more impressive than the lookout in my view.

Den Fenella

Den Fenella Lookout

Den Fenella Creek

Returning to the Overcliff Track, I pressed on to Empress Lookout and then down the steep wooden steps towards the famed Valley of the Waters. Instead of heading into the valley, I followed the Nature Track instead, crossing the top of Empress canyon as I continued my westwards journey. 

My aim was Roberts Pass, located some distance further along the cliffs.

A beautiful view of the Jamison Valley from Breakfast Point Lookout

Overcliff Track

Descending the steps towards Valley of the Waters

Valley of the Waters Track

After crossing Empress Canyon I joined the Grand Cliff Top Track which is not as grand as its name suggests. It makes a fairly arduous climb up the hillside before a long route around the edge of a golf course, with precious little cliff top to be found. If anything, it's a means to an end as it allows you to get onto the Inspiration Point Track and then Roberts Pass.

Climbing the Grand Clifftop Track

The track at Fairmont Golf Course

The Inspiration Point Track descends through the bush to the Moya Point lookout which also has a good view of Wentworth Falls, if not a little distant. Here you will find the top of Roberts Pass which provides an unusual means of bypassing the vast Blue Mountains cliffs.

Wentworth Falls seen from Moya Point

Wentworth Falls

Roberts Pass was originally just known as 'The Pass'. It is not known who the pass was named after, but it has been suggested that it may be Sir Alfred Roberts, a surgeon who lived and died in Wentworth Falls. The first section snakes downhill and can be slippery when wet. Recent rain has damaged this top area but it is by no means difficult.

A sign marks the top of Roberts Pass

Storm damage at the top of Roberts Pass

A rail guides you to the steps within the rocks

The track leads down to a cleft in the rock where a switchback ladder has been built, seeming within the confines of the cliff itself. You may need to remove your pack to ease around the corner inside the rock. Once past this obstacle, the track switchbacks down to meet Lindeman Pass.

The steps within the cliff

Emerging from the cleft in the rocks

Looking back to the bottom of the ladder

Another view of Wentworth Falls from Roberts Pass

Roberts Pass

I actually wrote the next few paragraphs on the train ride home from Katoomba to capture some of the key details of Lindeman Pass. However, the extreme rainfall in March 2021 may have changed track conditions considerably - I am aware of some new landslides but not where they have occurred, it's likely they are in the unstable section on the east side of Sublime Point.

Lindeman Pass begins from the bottom of Roberts Pass where a reflective sign makes it quite clear this route is not for the faint of heart. That said, the first few hundred metres of the path is in good condition and easy to follow. 

Lindeman Pass begins at the foot of Roberts Pass

A reflective sign warns the unaware

The first few metres of the path is in fairly good condition

Lindeman Pass

The first obstacle is a fairly recent landslip at the first creek west of Roberts Pass, likely caused by the huge storms in February 2020. It's quite small and, because it is recent, the route across is pretty clear as trees have not begun to grow over it. The route across is marked out by a couple of low cairns perched on the rocks. 

The first landslide

Lindeman Pass crosses the landslip fairly easily

Keep an eye out for these short cairns

Looking back across the landslip

After the first landslide, Lindeman Pass climbs a short rock step - notice the pink ribbon on the tree

From here, the path is fairly uneventful with a couple of short climbs breaking up the general flatness of it. Before long, it heads into the moist gully of Gladstone Creek where the bottom of Gladstone Pass can be found, snaking off into the trees. A short distance further is Dash's Cave, accessed by the smallest of diversions from Lindeman Pass. 

The Jamison Valley has seen through a gap in the trees

Lindeman Pass

Gladstone Creek gully

This short rocky strip is the bottom of Gladstone Pass

Dash's Cave is, in fact, a severe sandstone overhang. It is home to a rusty billy with a logbook and an old pickaxe. It is named after Charles Lawson Dash in honour of his involvement with Lindeman Pass. Charles Dash was a local businessman and argued in favour of the Katoomba Council completing Lindeman Pass. 

Dash's Cave

Inside Dash's Cave

The billy and axe

I'm not sure if this is a joke or not

The logbook inside the billy

If you visit the cave, leave the same way you entered instead of continuing out the other side, this leads nowhere. The next section of Lindeman Pass, between Dash's Cave and Copeland Pass, is arguably the most challenging. 

First, another recent landslip is negotiated but it shouldn't pose too many problems, followed by a second a short distance later, this time bypassed by a loose, stony ledge at the foot of the cliffs. 

The second landslide - more of a rockfall

Follow the cairns across this landslip

Views along the Jamison Valley where landslides have opened up the views

Rounding the third landslide is a little exposed, it passes along this crumbling shelf

Looking down upon the third landslide - it's a big one

There's a short length of fairly easy track before Lindeman Pass enters the area of older landslides which have since had trees and ferns regrow over them. Therefore, following the path is pretty essential. The Jamison Project describes two landslides here but, truth be told, it felt just like one long one as the path ducks and weaves through the vines and trees, occasionally passing over or under fallen logs. A mixture of pink ribbons and plastic markers have been tied to the trees so keep an eye out for those as they mark the route. 

Lindeman Pass

Lindeman Pass is often right up against the base of the cliffs

Some fallen trees are negotiated

The gnarly section along the east side of Sublime Point - this takes arduous and takes time

Keep a lookout for these ribbons

Further signs you are on the right track

A gap created by numerous landslides

Sometimes the ribbons are replaced by plastic tags nailed to the trees

Under or over?

Lindeman Pass

Eventually, I reached the foot of Copeland Pass which descends from Sublime Point above. It is marked by a low cairn next to the Lindeman Pass track and offers a tricky route back to the top of the cliffs. If you make it to this point, you have completed the most challenging section of Lindeman Pass.

The cairn at the foot of Copelands Pass - things ease from here westwards

The track is in a much better state of repair on the west side of Sublime Point

Once around the southern tip of Sublime Point, the track improves markedly. This is because the west side of the ridge is considerably drier and not prone to its landslides on the east side. It is generally easy to follow once again and remains so for much of the rest of the route. Occasional ribbons highlight where the path goes if it is ever unclear.

It passes by Walford Falls and then Lindeman Falls before reaching one of the days highlights, Gordon Falls. As you approach the bottom of the waterfall, make note of the screen of trees behind the cascading water, Lindeman Pass actually goes behind them and is remarkably dry, save for a short section after the waterfall which is very boggy. Almost immediately after Gordon Fall is Microstrobos Falls (named after a fern) where Lindeman Pass simply hops across the stones, but keep closer to the cliffs if you can. After the waterfall, Lindeman Pass climbs up slightly before continuing on.

Lindeman Falls

Lindeman Falls

Gordon Falls

The track through the trees behind Gordon Falls

Behind Gordon Falls

Gordon Falls

Microstrobos Falls

The bottom of Microstrobos Falls

A look back along the Sublime Point cliffs

Gordon Falls

After the waterfalls, you're on the home stretch (though take care not to drop too low otherwise you may miss the track taking you into Leura Creek gully). Again, following the path will lead you to a rock with a sad-looking ladder at the bottom to aid your descent, assisted by a newish looking rope tied to the tree above. After the ladder, Lindeman Pass descends via a switchback then passes beneath two fallen trees. After crossing a couple of streams, the path turns sharply to climb a short distance, following the creek before pressing on westwards.

Mount Solitary

The short ladder - it's actually a little trickier to descend than it looks

An obstacle course of fallen trees

Lindeman Pass

The views open up through the next section as Lindeman Pass heads along a shelf at the base of the cliffs, with excellent views of Mount Solitary. Once around the corner, the track descends steeply to the base of Leura Falls, following some tape markers through the trees. Crossing the creek can be tricky and the rocks are extremely slippery. There's a concrete manhole on the opposite side, the path climbs the slope immediately behind it. 

Mount Solitary

Lindeman Pass as it approaches Leura Falls

Mount Solitary and Lindeman Pass

Leura Falls

Leura Falls

Lindeman Pass, having climbed out above the sewer inspection chamber

The western end of Lindeman Pass

From here the final short section is easy. It emerges onto Federal Pass at Linda Falls. It took me 3 1/2 hours to hike Lindeman Pass from the base of Roberts Pass and, in hindsight, the path was generally easy enough to keep an eye on though is pretty slow in places. Assistance from the Jamison Project track notes was key in a couple of places, particularly at Leura Falls where the climb behind the manhole is not obvious.

Federal Pass at Linda Gully

Things weren't quite finished there though. Despite being back on the more obvious paths, there was still the task of reaching the station in Katoomba. There are several choices and I decided a longer route to Echo Point and then along the main road into the town. This meant hiking a section of the Prince Henry Clifftop and seeing the Three Sisters - always a favourite of mine.

The wooden steps of Federal Pass give way to some narrow metal steps which snake their way up through the bush alongside Linda Creek. This section of Federal Pass was originally constructed in 1894 and some of the original fabric remains, including earth benching and stone steps. Otherwise, the rest has been upgraded.

Federal Pass as it climbs alongside Linda Creek

Federal Pass

Federal Pass at Fern Bower

Federal Pass at Fern Bower

A final long narrow set of steps takes Federal Pass to the junction with the Amphitheatre Track (currently closed due to landslides). The path climbs further along Linda Creek before it reaches Jamison Lookout overlooking the valley. A short distance further is the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Solitary Restaurant.

Jamison Lookout

The Prince Henry Cliff Walk is one of the highlights of the Katoomba area. The path links the clifftops lookouts between Scenic World and Gordon Falls. It's normally very busy, but international travel into Australia is currently banned, it has never been quieter. The track passes Honeymoon Point and Tallawalla Lookout before it just out into the valley at the top of the Giant Stairway behind the famed Three Sisters.

A hanging swamp along the Prince Henry Track

Tallawarra Lookout - Lindeman Pass runs beneath the cliffs

Lady Game Lookout behind the Three Sisters

Meehni - the tallest of the Three Sisters

Looking towards The Ruined Castle

The track continues a short distance to Echo Point and the Queen Elizabeth Lookout - arguably the most popular of all the lookouts in the Blue Mountains. 

The Queen Elizabeth Lookout at Echo Point

Echo Point is usually a busy place. Under normal circumstances, most (if not all) the tours from Sydney coincide at this location and disgorge hundreds of daily passengers though it was much quieter today. Obviously, Covid has had its effect, however, in the year we've been in Australia the lookout has been expanded and upgraded to create more room for visitors. The view of the Three Sisters from the lookout is the defining image of the Blue Mountains - one you'll no doubt find with a quick Google search.

Golden Hour at the Three Sisters

The Three Sisters - Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo

Mount Solitary and The Ruined Castle

Mount Solitary

I arrived in time to enjoy the sunset over the lower Blue Mountains before heading back into Katoomba to catch the train back to Sydney. It was 10pm by the time I arrived home, having spent a full day traipsing around the bush on Lindeman Pass. It certainly was an adventure though not as challenging as I had anticipated - I guess part of that was down to preparation and the track notes from the Jamison Project. That said, given the poor weather NSW has received, I imagine new challenges are awaiting those who venture down to Lindeman Pass.