Sunday, 17 November 2024

The Undercliff Track & Wentworth Falls

Experience the best of the Blue Mountains on the spectacular Undercliff Track and Wentworth Falls loop. Even with sections of the National Pass closed, this short 2.4 km trail delivers massive rewards, guiding you from the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area to panoramic lookouts over the Jamison Valley. You'll hike directly beneath the towering cliff faces of the Kedumba Walls, cross the stepping stones at Queens Cascade, and stand right at the top of the iconic hand-carved Grand Stairway. It is the ultimate bite-sized cliffside adventure for your next weekend trip.

The Undercliff Track & Wentworth Falls

📍 BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Distance 2.4 km
Duration 01:02 hrs
Elev Gain +96 m
Elev Lost -91 m
Date 17 November 2024
Starting Point Wentworth Falls Picnic Area
Difficulty Easy
Pace / Gear 4.2 km/h — Light day pack
Highlights Wentworth Falls, National Pass
🗺️ Interactive Route Map Pinch or use wheel to zoom
Wentworth Falls is one of the most popular hubs in the Blue Mountains, but relentless heavy rain and landslides have taken a toll in recent years. Iconic trails like National Pass and Wentworth Pass remain closed indefinitely. Fortunately, you can still experience the area's magic, and the Undercliff Track is one of the best ways to do it. At just 2.4 km, this loop packs a massive punch and is perfect for a quick morning or afternoon adventure.

We kicked off the hike from the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area, an excellent spot featuring plenty of lawns, barbecues, and amenities. It gets incredibly packed on weekends, so if you struggle to find a park, spilling out onto Wilson Street is a great backup option - just be prepared to pay the parking fees.

The trail starts right from the edge of the car park, leading you first to Jamison Lookout for your first taste of the sweeping valley views. From there, a short stroll along Sir H Burrell Drive brings you to the start of the Princes Rock Track. Follow the stone steps downward, where a clear sign guides the way out to the spectacular Princes Rock Lookout.
Views from Jamison Lookout
The fenced lookout at Princes Rock has one of the best 'front on' views of Wentworth Falls — you can almost see both tiers (the lower portion gets hidden among the trees a bit). There is also a good view of the Grand Stairway on the opposite side of the valley; look out for tiny people hiking up and down the carved steps.
A view along Jamison Valley, leading towards Mount Solitary
Wentworth Falls and the Kedumba Walls
Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls
The top of the Grand Stairway
We headed back to the base of the steps and followed the sign pointing toward the Undercliff Track. True to its name, this spectacular path hugs the cliff line, carving a dramatic route directly beneath the massive sandstone overhangs of the Kedumba Walls on its way to Wentworth Falls.
Wentworth Falls through a gap in the trees
This stretch of the trail gets really fun as you duck beneath some low-hanging rock ceilings before coming out at Fletchers Lookout. It’s an awesome vantage point for checking out the very top of Wentworth Falls, even if the rest of the massive drop is tucked away out of sight.
Undercliff Track
Undercliff Track
Rocket Point
Wentworth Falls from Fletchers Lookout
Wentworth Falls
A trip to this area wouldn't be complete without seeing one of its most photographed landmarks—the top of the Grand Stairway [2.4]. You can easily reach it from Fletchers Lookout by following the trail downhill to Queens Cascade, where Jamison Creek tumbles over beautiful stone tiers. From there, a series of solid stepping stones allows you to safely cross the water right above the main drop.
Queens Cascade
Queens Cascade
Looking west along the Kedumba Walls
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.
National Pass
National Pass
The top of the Grand Stairway / National Pass
Wentworth Falls
From the top of the pass, it is a relatively quick walk back to your car, but you should definitely take the brief detour to Weeping Rock first. This gorgeous, mossy waterfall is well worth the extra steps. After soaking in the view, it is just a modest climb back up the Wentworth Falls Track to return to the picnic area.
Weeping Rock
Weeping Rock
Weeping Rock
The Undercliff Track is the perfect reminder of why Wentworth Falls remains a must-visit destination, even with its deeper valley trails closed. Between the dramatic cliffside overhangs and the rushing waters of Queens Cascade, this loop packs an incredible amount of scenery into a short walk. Pack a lunch, grab your camera, and make sure to add this classic Blue Mountains circuit to your weekend hiking list.

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