All The Gear But No Idea: Popes Glen, Govetts Leap & Barrow Lookout

Popes Glen & Govetts Leap 13-03-2022

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Route: Gardiner Crescent, Beersheba Parade, Popes Glen, Popes Glen Track, Boyds Beach, Taylor Fall, Horseshoe Falls Lookout, Two Falls Lookout, Laws Lookout, Govetts Leap Lookout, Cliff Top Track, Barrow Lookout, Braeside Walk, Braeside Picnic Area, Braeside Road, Braeside Street, Boreas Street

Date: 13/03/2022
From: Blackheath

Parking: Govetts Leap Road
Start Point: Popes Glen Reserve
Finish Point: Braeside Road
Region: Blue Mountains

Route length: 8.4km
Time taken: 02:30
Average speed: 4.3km/h
Ascent: 308m
Descent: 310m

Points of Interest: Popes Glen, Govetts Leap, Barrow Lookout

I was back in the Blackheath area recently to exploit two things; some relatively fine weather and the fact that the Cliff Top Track between Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout is one of few tracks currently open in the Blue Mountains. Sustained, heavy rainfall over the course of several days has damaged many of the popular walking trails in the area and most are currently closed (aside from the cliff-top lookouts). I also needed something reasonably short but interesting as I recover from a tennis-related back injury. The highlight of this hike would be the imposing waterfall at Govetts Leap.

I left the car on the streets of Blackheath where there is plenty of free parking (this hike is particularly well suited to using the train, thanks to its proximity to Blackheath Station). My first port of call would be Blackheath Memorial Park and then the entrance to Popes Glen Reserve, located off Wills Street. The reserve is home to the Popes Glen track which has recently been repaired and upgraded after being severely damaged by the 19/20 summer bushfires.

The entrance to Popes Glen Reserve at Wills Road

The track follows Popes Glen Creek downhill, eventually arriving at a crossing and continuing on the opposite side. It leads through a beautiful area of bush to Boyds Beach (or what is left of it after the flooding). The sandy patch resides on the inside of a bend in the creek but I would not say it was substantial enough to be called a beach at the moment. A short distance beyond the beach, the track passes Taylor Falls, a pretty little waterfall just before things get really interesting.

Popes Glen

Popes Glen Creek

Crossing the creek

Popes Glen Track has benefitted from some recent upgrades

Boyds Beach

Popes Glen

Taylor Fall

Popes Glen Creek meets its end at Horseshoe Falls, a tall waterfall that flows over the main Govetts Gorge cliffs. The track climbs away from the falls, passing a series of lookouts that provide an ever-evolving view of the waterfall, the cliffs opposite and the valley beyond. This section of the track has recently been re-built after the 19/20 bushfires.

The Griffith Taylor Wall makes an appearance

Horseshoe Falls Lookout

Horseshoe Falls

Looking along the Grose Valley

Grose Valley

Two Falls Lookout

The track follows the clifftop to Laws Lookout and then Govetts Leap lookout where there is a large car park and a spectacular view of the adjacent waterfall.

Govetts Leap

Govetts Leap waterfall falls some 180m over Griffith Taylor Wall, an immense stretch of sandstone that starts from Evans Lookout and ends many kilometres away at Docker Head and Perry's Lookdown. The falls themselves are named after Willam Romaine Govett, the government surveyor who first documented the falls in 1831 (it is unlikely he was the first to 'discover' the area). The word 'Leap' translates to waterfall in old Scottish dialect, though Govett himself was from Devon.

Govetts Leap

The Giffith Taylor Wall

Grose Valley from Govetts Leap

The depths of the Grose Valley

The top of Govetts Leap - you may be able to make out two hikers climbing away from the falls

The Cliff Top Track leaves from the southern end of the car park at Govetts Leap, heading towards the waterfall itself. It descends into the valley of Govetts Leap Brook, crossing the creek almost immediately before it is thrown over the cliff edge. Once across, the track climbs briefly to the sensational Barrow Lookout.

Govetts Leap Brook

The lip of Govetts Leap

The lookout is located just above Govetts Leap, so you cannot see the full height of the waterfall. However, it is situated on the very precipice of the Griffith Taylor Wall and has a stunning view of the mossy hanging gardens which cling to the sandstone face. It's one of the few lookouts I've visited where you are actually below the main cliffs, rather than on top of them.

Govetts Leap

The view from Barrow Lookout

Horseshoe Falls

After spending some time at Barrow Lookout, I returned to the creek where the eastern end of the Braeside Trail joins the Cliff Top Track. The trail follows Govetts Leap Brook upstream for around 1.5km until it reaches a small picnic area, complemented by a bench, barbeque and a pool created by a weir. Here, the track joins Braeside Road, a fire trail that provides an easy return back to the streets of Blackheath and the car.

Govetts Leap Brook

Braeside Walk

Braeside Road

Before heading back to Sydney, I drove back to the Govetts Leap lookout in the knowledge that the clouds had cleared a bit and the cliffs are generally better photographed in the afternoon. I'm sure you agree that they look pretty stunning in the right weather.