Baltzer Lookout (Hanging Rock) - Blue Mountains National Park

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Route: Ridgewell Road, Burramoko Fire Trail, Burramoko Hill, Baltzer Lookout, Burramoko Head, Hanging Rock, Burramoko Fire Trail, Ridgewell Road

Date: 14/05/2022
From: Blackheath

Parking: Ridgewell Road
Start Point: Burramoko Fire Trail
Finish Point: Burramoko Fire Trail
Region: Blue Mountains - Grose Wilderness

Route length: 11.1km
Time taken: 03:50
Average speed: 5.0km/h
Ascent: 254m
Descent: 260m

Points of Interest: Baltzer Lookout, Hanging Rock

This is a very straightforward hike to one of the most incredible locations in the Blue Mountains National Park - Baltzer Lookout. I say it is straightforward as it only involves a 6km trek along a wide fire trail with very little elevation gain. So, if you are looking for an all-day epic, this is perhaps not the hike for you. However, it is the perfect place to catch a sunrise or sunset, which is exactly what we did one early winter afternoon.

The parking area can be found a short distance along a dirt road, located off the Great Western Highway after it passes through Blackheath. We had no trouble getting our 2WD car along the road to the parking area. 

The Burramoko Trail

Entering the Grose Wilderness

The fire trail in question follows the spine of the Burramoko Ridge, all the way to its termination above Govetts Gorge. The ridge forms part of the Grose Wilderness, a large area that encompasses the Grose River and its surrounding canyons.

The Burramoko Trail

The trail is typically enclosed by trees along its length, however, there are a few openings to the west that provide a view over the rolling hills of the wilderness area. The trail crosses the low rise of Burramoko Hill (which stands at a lofty 1,024m) on its way to the lookout.

Rolling green hills of the Grose Wilderness

Australia's iconic gum trees

Unlike most Blue Mountains lookouts, Baltzer Lookout is entirely unfenced, so take care exploring the cliffs. There are several places to take in the view, the first being a flat rock platform that overlooks Bald Head though you can't see Hanging Rock from this spot.

Baltzer Lookout at the end of Burramoko Ridge

Grose Valley

The afternoon sun shines brightly on Bald Head

Rigby Hill

The platform continues a short distance north and tapers to a point on the lip of the cliffs. From here you will get the iconic view of Hanging Rock - the slender pillar of stone to juts out into the valley.

Baltzer Lookout

Burramoko Head

Grose Valley and Hanging Rock

Hanging Rock

You can climb down to Hanging Rock itself, which gets you up close and personal to the towering cliffs that line the valley. It's one the rare places where you'll be stood looking up at the cliffs rather than peering down from the top. If you are feeling brave, you can hop over the gap separating Hanging Rock from the cliffs and walk out to the end though I can't say I recommend it.

Hanging Rock

Hanging Rock

Hanging Rock and the cliffs beyond

Between Hanging Rock and Burramoko Head

We spent some time wandering around and snapping photos before climbing back up to the platform at Baltzer Lookout and settling in to watch the sun setting in the distance. 

Hanging Rock and Burramoko Head

The cliffs of Burramoko Head

Hanging Rock

A couple perched on the end of Hanging Rock

Grose Valley

Hanging Rock

Hanging Rock

With the light all but faded, we set off back along the fire trail towards the car park. We had anticipated hiking out in the dark so had come equipped with powerful head torches to light the route back. There is little chance of getting lost along the fire trail as there are no branches or deviations. 

Baltzer Lookout

Mount Banks and Bald Head

Panorama from Baltzer Lookout

Last of the sunlight

Returning to the Burramoko Trail

Headtorches light the way

This is a rare hike that has a huge reward for very little effort and I can't recommend it highly enough.