Dargan Arch - Blue Mountains National Park

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Route: Sandham Road, Dargan Arch Track, Dargan Arch

Date: 30/09/2023
From: Sandham Road

Parking: Sandham Road
Start Point: Sandham Road
Finish Point: Dargan Arch
Region: Blue Mountains National Park

Route length: 1.6 km
Time taken: 00:38
Average speed: 4.1 km/h
Ascent: 113m
Descent: 110m

Points of Interest: Dargan Arch

Dargan Arch is a hidden gem which often escapes the notice of visitors to the Blue Mountains. The stunning sandstone formation can be reached via a brief hike, allowing the chance to cross the arch's summit and explore the old cavern beneath. The arch is named after the nearby town of Dargan, which was named after John Dargan, an Irish convict who settled in the area in the 1820s. He was granted land by Governor Macquarie and became a successful farmer and innkeeper. He also built a road from Richmond to Mount Victoria, which later became part of the Bells Line of Road.

Situated close to the small town of Bell, the parking area can be found along Sandham Road, around 3 km after the intersection with Bells Line of Road and Darling Causeway. Turning off the road, there is an open area with a pair of power poles in the centre — this is the parking and trailhead for Dargan Arch. It's important to note that Sandham Road is unpaved, but it's in a suitable condition for 2WD vehicles.

The trek from the trailhead to the top of the arch covers less than 1 km and is all downhill. The initial 500m follows a fire trail, gradually descending and becoming steeper. Once the fire trail ends, there's no marked path, but you'll begin to navigate through the rocky terrain. Keep following the general direction of the fire trail and you'll eventually encounter Dargan Arch.

Dargan Arch

The arch is nestled below some cliffs and is likely to have been an extensive cave before the roof collapsed, and the arch took shape. When you first see the top of the arch and the big hole nearby, you might not immediately want to walk across it. But as you get closer, you'll see that the top is quite wide and flat, with plenty of space for several people to walk around easily.

The fun part is making your way down to the arch's base, which involves an easy scramble down grippy rock. It's worth it as the view of the arch from below is impressive. Even though there isn't an official trail, you'll easily spot the way down to the left of the arch.

To descend, navigate the rocky terraces which may seem steep, but the rock is grippy making it manageable. After reaching the base of the rock, head to the right, cross the fallen tree and make your way toward the arch's interior. Inside the arch, you'll find a hill that's easy to climb, offering even more unique views.

A look back at the route down to the arch - it's easier than it looks

Approaching the arch

Dargan Arch

Dargan Arch

Dargan Arch

Dargan Arch

Dargan Arch

Once you’ve finished admiring the arch, retrace your steps back to the top via the same path. Once you’re back on higher ground, simply follow the walking track back to the car parking area.

Dargan Arch

Above the arch and surrounding canyons

Rigby Hill & Walls Lookout - Blue Mountains National Park

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Route: Pierces Pass Road, Rigby Hill Track, Rigby Hill, Pierce Pass to Walls Lookout Track, Walls Lookout, Wall Lookout Track

Date: 30/09/2023
From: Pierces Pass

Parking: Walls Lookout Picnic Area
Start Point: Walls Lookout Picnic Area
Finish Point: Walls Lookout Picnic Area
Region: Blue Mountains National Park - Grose Wilderness

Route length: 4.3 km
Time taken: 01:22
Average speed: 4.1 km/h
Ascent: 201m
Descent: 197m

Points of Interest: Rigby Hill, Walls Lookout

Rigby Hill and Walls Lookout are two scenic spots in the Blue Mountains National Park that offer stunning views of the Grose Valley and its surrounding sandstone cliffs. Both are accessible by short, easy walking tracks from Pierces Pass Road that can be combined into this spectacular outing — perfect if you want some big views but are short on time.

The tracks both start at Pierces Pass Road, located off Bells Line of Road, the historic northern crossing of the Blue Mountains. The odd name for the road is derived from the road's original route as surveyed by Archibald Bell — Bell's Line. The route was shown to Bell by Indigenous Darug men Emery and Cogy in 1823 and was part of the traditional Aboriginal pathway network. After Bell marked the route, it was cleared and became the second road across the Blue Mountains after what is now the Great Western Highway.

Having never visited Rigby Hill, I decided to head there first by following Pierces Pass Road down to the lower parking area that serves Pierces Pass itself. The hiker's pass is one of the most used routes into the Upper Grose Valley and was constructed in the early 1930s by Bert Pierce and Clarrie Hungerford to access the Blue Gum Forest for cattle grazing (though the route is likely to be much older). The Rigby Hill Track begins from the car park, next to a large boulder.

Rigby Hill looms over Pierces Pass Road

The Rigby Hill Track begins behind this large boulder

The first 200m of the Rigby Hill Track makes its way through the famed Australian bush until it reaches a tall rock platform with a set of carved steps. After this, the bush begins to thin, and you'll get some good views of the dome of Rigby Hill ahead. Despite appearances, the climb to the top of the hill is not as steep as it appears from this vantage point.

Accessing the ridge leading to Rigby Hill

Liversidge Hill is almost a carbon copy of Rigby Hill

I made short work of the path up Rigby Hill, emerging on the summit to find the wooden post telling you you've reached 923m above sea level. Not bad for such little effort. The views from the summit are sublime, made even better by continuing south-west to the edge of the cliffs. 

Birrabang Ridge and Pierces Creek

Climbing to Rigby Hill

The Walls Lookout Track is easy to spot on the opposite ridge

The summit of Rigby Hill

Rigby Hill is named after John Rigby, a surveyor who worked in the Blue Mountains in the 19th century and was involved in the construction of the Bells Line of Road. He also surveyed the Grose Valley and the surrounding cliffs, which can be seen from the hill. Rigby Hill is a tribute to his contribution to the exploration and development of the area.

The view west towards Burra Korain and Liversidge Hill

The eastern vista along the Grose Valley towards Docker Head

The imposing cliffs surrounding Walls Lookout

A wider view of the western valley including Bald Head, Burramoko Head, Burra Korain Head and Liversidge Hill

The Grose Valley

The deep Hungerfords Gully separates Rigby Hill from Walls Lookout, so it is necessary to backtrack to the Pierces Pass car park to find the link track, imaginatively called 'Pierces Pass to Walls Lookout Track'. The track makes an easy, gradual climb to Walls Lookout.

The Rigby Hill Track

A view of Rigby Hill from the link track

Heading for Walls Lookout

Walls Lookout and Rigby Hill

Walls Lookout, while similar to Rigby Hill, has an incredible view, elevated by the fact you can see the enormous cliffs below Rigby Hill itself, something that you won't see from its summit. There are several flat rock platforms dotted around that offer wonderful views of the Grose Valley, just take care of venturing near the cliff edges and none of them are fenced.

Walls Lookout

The Grose Valley

The cliffs of Wongarra Hill

Rigby Hill

Rigby Hill

After indulging in the view from the lookout, it's an easy walk back along the Walls Lookout Track to the car park. This hike has to have one of the best view-to-effort ratios anywhere in the Blue Mountains thanks to its astonishing location in the heart of the Grose Wilderness. It is perfect if you're after that Blue Mountains hit but are short on time.

Walls Lookout

Leaving Walls Lookout

A final Grose Valley view