The Grand Canyon Track - Blue Mountains National Park

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Route: Neates Glen, Grand Canyon Track, Evans Lookout, Evans Lookout Road, Neates Glen

Date: 24/07/2022
From: Neates Glen

Parking: Neates Glen
Start Point: Neates Glen
Finish Point: Evans Lookout
Region: Blue Mountains National Park

Route length: 5.7km
Time taken: 01:10
Average speed: 5.8km/h
Ascent: 254m
Descent: 251m

Points of Interest: Neates Glen, Greaves Creek, Evans Lookout

Beginning at Evans Lookout, the Grand Canyon Track is one of the most dramatic and popular circuits in the Blue Mountains. While not as grand as the Grand Canyon itself, the sheer sandstone cliffs of Greaves Creek make for a spectacular outing. Evans Lookout can be found near Blackheath, one of the small towns that line the Blue Mountains' high plateau, forming the popular tourist areas alongside Katoomba, Leura and the Three Sisters.

There is no right or wrong way to do the Grand Canyon Track, both routes involve descending into the canyon and climbing back out again. However, an anti-clockwise circuit means the steeper section is done in descent and the finale at Evans Lookout is saved for the end and this is the direction we opted for. While short, the Grand Canyon is arguably one of the best hikes in the Blue Mountains.

We began our descent from the Neates Glen parking area, following a zig-zagging path that makes its way down into the rainforest, immediately passing towering ferns and dramatic overhanging rocks. It wasn't long before we encountered our first creek, Neates Glen (which gives its name to the parking area) that tumbles down a series of pretty cascades.

Descending the steps into Neates Glen

The path winds its way down alongside Neates Glen Creek

Neates Glen Creek

The path follows the creek down into the canyon

Moist ferns line much of the route

The path descends further still, passing some outstanding viewpoints as we approached the floor of the valley. A final set of wooden steps brought us down to the banks of Greaves Creek. This is the Rotunda, an open area where the cliff has been carved out to form an overhang, over the sandy banks of the stream.

The Grand Canyon

Following Greaves Creek

Greaves Creek at the Rotunda

Greaves Creek carves a winding route through the sandstone of the Blue Mountains en route to Govetts Creek before ultimately flowing to the Grose River and the mighty Nepean. It is the erosive power of the creek which forms the huge cliffs of the Grand Canyon. Now in the depths of the canyon, the path delves deeper, following the creek downstream.

We followed the trail along the cliffs to an open area surrounded by trees, ferns and running water. After squeezing through a short, dark tunnel, the path opens into another large area surrounded by huge boulders and a cascading waterfall. The path passes behind the waterfall (if it's flowing) and continues on its way.

The Grand Canyon Track

It was a stunning day down in the canyon, made all the more atmospheric by the mist

You'll come across this small waterfall

The path makes its way behind the falls

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon waterfall

Greaves Creek

Though the track stays relatively level, the river disappears into the depths of the narrowest part of the canyon, many metres below. The canyon here is a true slot canyon with the path perched on a ledge above the creek. Eventually, the canyon opens up again and we began a steep descent down some wooden steps, still following the course of Greaves Creek which gets thrown over a series of waterfalls, hidden among the plants and trees.

After the waterfall, the track follows a shelf alongside the Greaves Creek slot canyon

Greaves Creek

Grand Canyon Track

Greaves Creek and the Grand Canyon Track

The Grand Canyon Track

The Grand Canyon Track

Looking down to Greaves Creek

Grand Canyon Track

Greaves Creek

The track through the canyon was constructed in 1907, during a period when hundreds of kilometres of tracks were built to access the escarpments, lookouts, and walls of the Grose and Jamison Valleys. It has recently been restored thanks to a government grant of around $5m and is all the better for it.

Having undulated along the cliff, we again reached Greaves Creek, where it emerges from the slot canyon. Based on what we had read, we were led to believe that this was the end of our canyoning adventure, but we were wrong. The track, still following Greaves Creek, crosses the stream several times as it passes through a dramatic section of the canyon. This is arguably the most impressive section of the hike.

Greaves Creek as it emerges from the slot canyon

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon

Greaves Creek

Greaves Creek

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon

Greaves Creek

The track crosses the creek several times

Greaves Creek

Greaves Creek

Greaves Creek

Beginning the climb out of the canyon

Eventually, we reached the junction at Rodriguez Pass - one of the popular tracks in the Blue Mountains. Sadly the track, and many others in the Grose Wilderness, will be closed for the foreseeable future due to the damage caused by recent bushfires and flooding. After the path junction, we began our climb out of the canyon towards Evans Lookout.

Hiking up towards Evans Lookout

The track climbs a long set of steps, up through a gap in the cliffs, following a series of ‘Evans Lookout’ arrows that point up the hill.

There are many, many steps to tackle

Reaching the top of the climb

After a heart-stirring climb, we emerged at the top of the steps below Evans Lookout. A further climb is required to reach the lookout itself, but the rewards are worth it as it has a spectacular view of the cliffs of the Grose Valley (the lookout was closed during this visit while it is being upgraded). Here are a few of the views from some of my previous hikes.

Views from Evans Lookout

The incredible Grose Valley

From the lookout is a path that leads through the bush back to the car park, running parallel to the road but keeping you away from any vehicles. 

Before long we'd made it back to the car and set off towards Katoomba to explore the town and the local brewery. Despite its modest length, the Grand Canyon Track is a stunning walk and I would happily repeat it.