Wolgan View Canyon (Dry Canyon) - Wollemi National Park

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Route: Glow Worm Tunnel Road, Wolgan Dry Canyon, Wolagan Valley View

Date: 25/10/2025
From: Glow Worm Tunnel Road

Parking: Glow Worm Tunnel Road
Start Point: Glow Worm Tunnel Road
Finish Point: Glow Worm Tunnel Road
Region: Wollemi National Park

Route length: 3.5 km
Time taken: 01:11
Average speed: 3.2 km/h
Ascent: 81m
Descent: 77m

Don’t let the short length fool you—Dry Canyon is one of the few slot canyon walks in the Blue Mountains that requires neither swimming nor abseiling, making it ideal for casual hikers like me. And wow, it is spectacular.

The trade-off? Dry Canyon is tucked deep within Wollemi National Park, about a 30 km drive along the unsealed Glow Worm Tunnel Road. Until recently, the road was rough going, but a multi-million-dollar investment in ecotourism around Lithgow has brought major improvements. Now, a standard 2WD car can reach the end of the road with ease. Since Dry Canyon is just a short distance from the Glow Worm Tunnel, it’s easy to combine the two into one adventure.

Also known as Wolgan View or Nobles Canyon, Dry Canyon is considered one of the Blue Mountains’ easiest slot canyons. It’s dry, accessible, and requires no abseils. The hike begins at an unmarked trailhead parking area. There’s no signage, but the path is obvious once you leave the car park.

The small parking area along Glow Worm Tunnel Road

Cross the low metal barrier and follow the clear footpad into the bush. Almost immediately, you’ll encounter rock pagodas—towering, beehive-like formations that define the Gardens of Stone region.

Starting along the track towards the canyon

The path is easy to follow for the most part

The trail gently descends into a small clearing that doubles as an informal campsite. Here, a large rock formation resembling a turtle—or maybe a hippo—awaits, complete with “teeth” added by generations of visitors.

The camping area

The interestingly shaped rocks

The path continues downward, narrowing between rocks and pagodas until a dead tree marks the next scramble. A short climb to the left brings you down to the dry creek bed at the canyon’s head.

Approaching the top of the first canyon

Looking towards the first canyon from the top of the scramble

You'' need to negotiate this short scramble

The first section of Wolgan View Canyon is short, with high sandstone walls letting in generous sunlight. Soon, the gorge opens into a fern-filled clearing—a quiet oasis amid the rugged landscape.

The first constriction

The first constriction

Leaving the first constriction

The fern-filled opening between the first and second constrictions

The next section is longer, darker, and awe-inspiring. Towering walls soar above you like a natural cathedral. The air is cool and still, and the subtle patterns in the rock, along with small pockets of native plants clinging to the walls, make this stretch magical.

Approaching the second contradiction

Entering the dry canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

The canyon opens up towards the end

The canyon eventually leads towards a lookout above the Wolgan Valley Resort, where the trail continues a little further to a cliffline overlooking the valley. From this elevated vantage point, you get a sense of the canyon’s place within the broader landscape.

The view from the end of the canyon is limited by the trees

Wolgan Valley

After soaking in the serenity, retrace your steps to the car park. The return walk offers fresh views of the canyon, pagodas, and bushland. If you time your visit for early morning or late afternoon, the sandstone cliffs glow in golden light.

Wolgan View Canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

Wolgan View Canyon

Existing the canyon

Returning to the parking area

Wolgan Valley

Wollemi National Park

The pagodas that make the area unique

Glow Worm Tunnel Road

The valley of Tunnel Creek

Dry Canyon may be short, but it delivers an unforgettable experience—proof that you don’t need ropes or technical skills to find adventure in the Blue Mountains. With its towering walls, quiet beauty, and easy access, it’s a perfect reminder that some of the most memorable walks are the simplest ones.