Govetts Leap, Evans Lookout & the Grand Canyon - Blue Mountains National Park

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Route: Cleopatea Street, Popes Glen, Popes Glen Track, Boyds Beach, Pulpit Rock Track, Cripps Lookout, Taylor Fall, Rodriguez Lookout, Two Falls Lookout, Loop Track, Breakfast Rock Lookout, Govetts Leap Lookout, Cliff Top Track, Barrow Lookout, Hayward Gully, Valley View Lookout, Evans Lookout, Grand Canyon Track, Neates Glen, James Road, Braeside South Powerline Access, Braeside Road, Cross Street

Date: 15/11/2025
From: Blackheath

Parking: Cleopatra Street
Start Point: Popes Glen
Finish Point: Neates Glen
Region: Blue Mountains

Route length: 15.5 km
Time taken: 04:20
Average speed: 5.3 km/h
Ascent: 671m
Descent: 668m

Points of Interest: Popes Glen, Cripps Lookout, Govetts Leap Lookout, Barrow Lookout, Evans Lookout, the Grand Canyon

Govetts Leap and the Grand Canyon are arguably the highlights of the Blackheath area, and there’s no better way to experience them than linking the two into a long, satisfying day hike. From the sheer drop of Govetts Leap — plunging more than 180 metres into the Grose Valley — to the fern-filled slot canyons below, this walk is a real showcase of the very best the Blue Mountains has to offer.

After parking on the streets of Blackheath, the first stop was the entrance to Pope’s Glen Reserve, tucked just off Cleopatra Street. The reserve is home to the Pope’s Glen Track, which was badly damaged during the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires but has since been carefully repaired and upgraded. The area takes its name from the Pope family, who owned a sizeable property here in the late 1800s, long before this leafy gully became one of Blackheath’s most popular walking routes.

Popes Glen Reserve at Cleopatra Street

Waratah in full bloom

Popes Glen Reserve

Popes Glen Creek

The track follows Pope’s Glen Creek downstream, crossing a small footbridge before continuing along the opposite bank. It winds through a lush stretch of valley before reaching Boyd’s Beach — or what remains of it after some serious flooding reshaped the creek. The sandy patch sits on a bend in the watercourse, though it’s a far cry from a proper beach these days. Just beyond, the track leads to Taylor Fall, a charming little multi-tiered waterfall. From here, the hike starts to get really interesting.

Popes Glen Creek

Popes Glen Creek

Boyds Beach

Taylor Falls

Eastern water dragon — common in the Blue Mountains

A small bonus on this hike is the short side trip to Cripps Lookout, perched high above the sheer cliffs of the Grose Valley. From the lookout, there are commanding views of two waterfalls — Horseshoe Falls directly below and the more distant ribbon of Govetts Leap plunging into the valley. With any luck, the local council will complete the long-awaited rebuilding of the Pulpit Rock Track, which would allow this section to link through and form a truly outstanding day hike.

Pulpit Rock Track en route to Cripps Lookout — you may be able to spot it in the distance

Horseshoe Falls from Cripps Lookout

Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe Falls

The great cove at Horseshoe Falls - Cripps Lookout is on the right

Govetts Leap Lookout

Griffith Taylor Wall

Govetts Leap Lookout and waterfall

Govetts Gorge

The Griffith Taylor Wall

The track continues along the clifftop to Laws Lookout before pressing on to Govetts Leap Lookout, where a large car park sits right beside one of the most spectacular views in the Blue Mountains.

Govetts Gorge

Laws Lookout

Monuments at Govetts Leap Lookout

Govetts Leap plunges around 180 metres over the vast Griffith Taylor Wall, an immense sweep of sandstone that runs from Evans Lookout all the way to Docker Head and Perry’s Lookdown, kilometres away. The falls are named after government surveyor William Romaine Govett, who recorded them in 1831 — though it’s almost certain the area was well known long before then. The term “leap” comes from an old Scottish dialect meaning waterfall, despite Govett himself being from Devon, and you’ll also often hear the falls referred to as Bridal Veil Falls thanks to their fine, wind-blown spray.

Govetts Leap / Bridal Veil Falls

Barrow Lookout at the top of the waterfall

The twin lookouts at Govetts Leap also mark the start of the Govetts Leap Descent, a dramatic route dropping down to Rodriguez Pass and deep into the Grose Valley. It’s a trek that’s high on my list once repairs are completed and the valley reopens to walkers. Until then, the Cliff Top Track makes a fine — and far easier — alternative.

Govetts Gorge

The beginning of the Cliff Top Track

The Cliff Top Track leaves from the southern end of the Govetts Leap car park, heading towards the waterfall itself. It quickly dips into the valley of Govetts Leap Brook, crossing the creek just moments before it spills over the cliff edge. From here, the track climbs briefly to reach the sensational Barrow Lookout, perched high above the Grose Valley.

The Cliff Top Track

Govetts Leap Brook

Govetts Leap Brook

Sitting just above Govetts Leap, the lookout makes it surprisingly difficult to see the waterfall itself. What it does offer, though, is something arguably better: a position right on the very edge of the Griffith Taylor Wall, with a front-row view of mossy hanging gardens clinging to the sandstone face. It’s one of the few lookouts in the Blue Mountains where you find yourself beneath the main cliff line rather than standing proudly on top of it — a perspective that makes the scale of the landscape feel even more impressive.

Barrow Lookout

The hanging gardens on the Griffith Taylor Wall

Govetts Gorge

The Cliff Track climbs away from Barrow Lookout, leaving the valley of Govetts Leap Brook behind. It runs along the cliff tops, set back from the edge, with the views mostly framed by trees but offering teasing glimpses of the vast canyon below. As the path swings south, it descends once more into the lush Hayward Gully, named after William Hayward, the first European to reach the floor of Govetts Gorge in 1847, before finally arriving at the iconic Evans Lookout.

A recent landslide/rockfall on the Carne Wall

Looking along Govetts Gorge toward Mount Banks

Haywood Gully

Approaching Evans Lookout

Evans Lookout actually has two viewpoints: the well-known Evans platform and a more hidden spot called Valley View. Of the two, I’d argue Valley View steals the show, offering a direct line of sight down Grose Valley and Govetts Gorge, while Evans Lookout sits just around the corner. Valley View is also a little quieter, giving you a chance to soak in the spectacle in relative peace. The views are at their most striking in the afternoon, when the sun illuminates the valley from behind the lookouts, casting the cliffs and gorges in golden light.

Valley View

Mount Banks and Lockley Pylon

Valley View Lookout

Just a short walk from Valley View is Evans Lookout, easily spotted by its monument, stone shelter, and sizeable car park. The monument itself bears the following inscription:

“This memorial was erected in memory of George Evans Esq., Solicitor of Sydney & London, who was a pioneer of this district. He discovered this lookout and entrance to Grose Valley in the year 1882. Erected by his daughter Mrs E.E. MacLaurin 1932.”

Shelter at Evans Lookout

Govetts Gorge from Evans Lookout

This hike just keeps on giving, as the Grand Canyon Track begins—or ends—at Evans Lookout and is widely regarded as one of the most enjoyable walks in the entire Blue Mountains. Originally constructed and opened to the public in 1907, it underwent a $5 million, decade-long restoration in the late 2010s, bringing it back to its former glory. There’s no right or wrong way to tackle the track: either direction involves a rewarding descent into the canyon and a climb back out, with lush ferns, mossy cliffs, and hidden waterfalls around every bend.

Starting the Grand Canyon descent

The track drops down a series of sandstone steps alongside a gently trickling creek, slipping through a narrow cleft in the cliffs before reaching the valley floor, where it meets the Rodriguez Pass Track (closed at the time of my visit). From here, it continues down to Greaves Creek, the river that carved the canyon over millennia, and marks the start of the gorge’s more adventurous terrain.

Heading into the canyon

The path has been meticulously maintained

The descent to the main canyon is beautiful

The fern-filled gullies of the Grand Canyon

Graves Creek

The path winds alongside the creek through the gorge, crossing it several times via sandstone stepping stones or small wooden footbridges. Towering fallen boulders and pretty, tumbling waterfalls appear around every bend, all nestled beneath the dappled shade of abundant trees and ferns. This opening section is arguably the most striking part of the entire Grand Canyon Track and a favourite haunt for photographers seeking that quintessential Blue Mountains shot.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon

Crossing Greaves Creek

Greaves Creek

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon

Greaves Creek

Greaves Creek

Greaves Creek

Greaves Creek

Greaves Creek

After reaching the spot where Greaves Creek emerges from a massive cleft—a favourite for canyoneers—the track climbs sharply before continuing along a ledge high above the canyon, secured by a metal railing. Though the path itself stays fairly level, the river plunges into the narrowest part of the gorge many metres below. Here, the canyon transforms into a true slot canyon, with the track perched precariously above the creek and overhanging rocks often forcing you to stoop as you navigate the ledge. They provided me with impromptu shelter from a passing summer storm.

Leaving the main canyon behind

The path follows a ledge for a distance

Erosion of the rock shows where the creek once flowed

Some weather approaching

Heading through the overhangs

You may have to stoop in a couple of sections

Grand Canyon Track

Some passing weather

The track opens into a leafy glade, surrounded by trees and ferns, with running water, massive boulders, and a cascading waterfall. If the falls are flowing, the path passes behind them, offering a playful glimpse through the veil of water. The trail then leads to a dark tunnel carved into the rocks, emerging at The Rotunda—an open area where the cliff forms a dramatic overhang, shading the sandy banks of Greaves Creek and creating a peaceful, almost hidden retreat within the gorge.

The open area next to the waterfall

The Rotunda

The Rotunda

Steps lead up and away from The Rotunda, climbing sharply out of the canyon and into bright sunshine. It passes some outstanding viewpoints of the valley as it begins its final climb along Neates Glen Creek to the car park on Evans Lookout Road. This is a beautiful section of the Grand Canyon Track, but the last section of the climb, up some dusty steps, does get a little tedious.

Beginning the climb out of the canyon

The walls of the Greaves Creek canyon

Greaves Creek

Neates Glen

Neates Glen

The final section leading to the parking area

The frustrating thing about the Grand Canyon Track is how quickly it comes to an end. The full loop is just 6 km, with the canyon itself stretching only around 4 km—but what 4 km it is. It’s arguably some of the best terrain in the entire national park, bookending an epic hike with lush gorges, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic cliffs. Looking back through the photos, it’s almost unbelievable that it’s all part of a single walk, a reminder of just how extraordinary hiking in the Blue Mountains can be.

Having emerged from the canyon, it was time to make my way back to the car. The return is straightforward, following the Braeside South Powerline Access Track before crossing the valley of Govetts Leap Brook and reconnecting with Braeside Road. After such a dramatic hike through the gorge, this gentle walk back felt like the perfect cool-down.

Braeside South Powerline Access

Passing one of the locals

Powerline Access

Govetts Leap Creek

By the time I returned to the car, it felt like I’d walked through the greatest‑hits tour of the Blue Mountains. From the sheer cliffs at Govetts Leap to the sweeping views at Evans Lookout, and then down into the lush, fern-filled Grand Canyon, the loop packs an astonishing variety of scenery into a single, unforgettable hike.