The Dargan Arch, also referred to as Dargans Arch, is a large natural sandstone rock formation located in a quiet area of the Blue Mountains.
The short walk to get there is not signposted, and due to its somewhat remote location between Lithgow and Bell, it never really gets busy there.
| Dargan Arch Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1.5 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1 hour |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
Getting There
This beautiful rock formation is located in the village of Dargan, near Bell, and can be accessed via Chifley Road, which extends from the Bells Line of Road.
To drive there, turn into Sandham Road near the Darling Causeway and Bells Line of Road junction. Stay on that road for about 3 km until you see a large clearing on the right side of the road, just after the curve (see map location).
That clearing is where visitors can park. Sections of Sandham Road are unsealed, but the road is in good condition. You don’t need an SUV or 4WD vehicle to get there.
Below is a map with the car park and the arch marked.
Track Notes
The short walking trail to Dargan Arch is easy, but there is no signage. The path is quite easy to follow, but be mindful that there is no fencing at the arch.
We recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes, especially if you plan to venture down into the gully to see the arch from below.
The Walk
From the car park, follow the fire trail into the bush to start this exciting walk.
The first 500 metres are on this easy-to-navigate fire trail through pleasant bushland scenery, until it arrives at an open rocky area.
This is also where the walking path kind of disappears, but if you keep going straight ahead, you won’t miss the Dargan Arch.
Dargan Arch
When you arrive at the arch, you’ll see the big hole where once the roof of the cave was, with a little bridge over it.
It looks like a narrow passage but it’s actually quite wide and very stable. It’s safe to walk across, but be mindful of strong winds and don’t go up there with large crowds.
If it looks too scary, you don’t have to walk across the arch to get a good view or to reach the path going to the bottom.
The large arch shape you’re seeing is the result of a cave that collapsed a long time ago. The natural sandstone arch now measures about 15m long, 8m wide, and 10m high.
From the bottom, though, the arch looks much bigger. It’s quite an impressive sight and a photographer’s favourite.
To get to the bottom, keep walking straight ahead after crossing the arch. You will see a rocky area where you can find a safe spot to scramble down.
Follow the path that leads underneath the arch, and enjoy those fantastic views. There’s lots of space to move around and explore this fascinating place.
Once you’re finished exploring, retrace your steps, climb back up to the top of the cave (which is easier than scrambling down), and make your way back to the car parking area via the same route.
Here are some more caves to discover in the Blue Mountains:
