The Overcliff-Undercliff Track proves why Wentworth Falls remains a premier Blue Mountains location. This compact 5-kilometre circuit packs an immense variety into a short walk, skimming cliff-top balconies, ducking under massive sandstone overhangs, and hugging the rim of the Jamison Valley. Culminating at the top of Wentworth Falls and the dramatic drop of the Grand Stairway, it’s an ideal, high-reward loop for a morning outing.
The Overcliff-Undercliff Track & Wentworth Falls
📍 BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Distance4.9 km
Duration02:30 hrs
Elev Gain+199 m
Elev Lost-195 m
Date
14 January 2023
Starting Point
Wentworth Falls Picnic Area
Difficulty
Easy
Pace / Gear
3.5 km/h — Light day pack
Highlights
Breakfast Point Lookout, Fletchers Lookout, Wentworth Falls, National Pass, Weeping Rock
🗺️ Interactive Route MapPinch or use wheel to zoom
Wentworth Falls is one of the most popular areas of the Blue Mountains, but it has suffered in recent years after severe weather and landslides damaged several tracks, including the National Pass and Wentworth Pass. At the time of writing, both are closed, with plans to reopen once the area is made safe.
Despite this, there are still some amazing routes around the waterfall, and the combined Overcliff and Undercliff tracks are probably one of the best. At just under 5 km, it packs a lot into a short space and is perfect for a morning or afternoon excursion (or for visiting parents, as was the case today).
We began our hike from the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area, a large space home to a car park, toilets, public barbecues and large lawns — ideal for lazy Sundays. On popular days, you may struggle to find a parking spot at the picnic area, though parking along Wilson Street seems to be an acceptable alternative.
The Wentworth Falls entrance to the National Park
At the western end of the picnic area is the Short Cut Track, an aptly named path that provides a shortcut to the Conservation Hut and the beginning of the Valley of the Waters. The hut was first opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the local conservation movement, hence the name. However, since 1993, Conservation Hut has operated as a café.
The Short Cut Track
The flowering Mountain Devil
Lyrebird Lookout
Conservation Hut marks the western end of the Overcliff Track, which starts close to the Queen Victoria Lookout. The lookout is perched above the Valley of the Waters, overlooking a narrow section of the valley. The views can be made more dramatic by the mists which often frequent the area on drizzly days.
Inspiration Point as seen from Lyrebird Lookout
The Overcliff Track weaves a beautiful route along the top of the cliffs above the Jamison Valley and has some wonderful views along the way. The track passes Lyrebird Lookout and then follows a large rock wall to Breakfast Point, with its low stone wall and great views across the Jamison Valley.
Inspiration Point
The Overcliff Track
Valley of the Waters
The Overcliff Track
Jamison Valley
Inspiration Point and Sublime Point
Shortly after Breakfast Point is Den Fenella, where Den Fenella Creek breaches the cliffs. An out-and-back track will take you through the wet, misty gorge to a lookout; however, the gorge itself is the real highlight. It is worth following the path down the set of steps to the bridge before retracing your route.
Den Fenella
Den Fenella
At Den Fenella, the Overcliff Track becomes the Undercliff Track, named as it now forges a route beneath the overhanging cliffs of the Kedumba Walls. There are two lookouts around the halfway mark: Eagles Nest and Princes Rock. Both have excellent views of Wentworth Falls; however, Eagles Nest is currently closed due to a landslip.
Kedumba Walls
Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls
After the lookouts is an interesting section of the Undercliff Track that passes beneath some low overhangs before it emerges at Fletchers Lookout. Fletchers Lookout has a good view of the top of Wentworth Falls, but the majority of the waterfall is hidden.
The Undercliff Track
The Undercliff Track
Hikers at the top of the Grand Stairway
Wentworth Falls seen from Fletchers Lookout
Fletchers Lookout
A visit to Wentworth Falls wouldn't be complete without visiting one of the area's most photographed features - the top of the Grand Stairway. This is easily reached from Fletchers Lookout by continuing downhill to the Queen's Cascades, where Jamison Creek falls over a small cascade before reaching Wentworth Falls. Stone blocks let you cross the creek above Wentworth Falls.
The top of Wentworth Falls
Queens Cascade
After crossing the falls, you will find the dramatic beginning of the National Pass and the Grand Stairway. The stairway is a very memorable section of the pass and is reported to be 'the tallest outdoor staircase in Australia'. It was built in the early 1900s by hand (and dynamite) by a team nicknamed 'the Irish Brigade' for the cost of £430. Today, the Grand Stairway is well-maintained and provides walkers access to the valley below Wentworth Falls.
Heading along the National Pass
National Pass above Wentworth Falls
National Pass
The great cove of the lower half of Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls
It's not too far from the National Pass back to the picnic area, but there is the opportunity to make a short diversion to Weeping Rock, a pretty waterfall that is well worth a visit. Following that, there is a modest climb along the Wentworth Falls Track back towards the picnic area.
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