The Burramoko Fire Trail in the Blackheath area takes you to Hanging Rock, one of the most iconic landmarks in the Blue Mountains.
The trail initially leads to Baltzer Lookout, offering stunning views over the Grose Valley. From there, it’s a short but mildly challenging walk to reach Hanging Rock.
While the fire trail itself might be a bit uninspiring, the breathtaking views at the end make it all worthwhile.
| Burramoko Trail | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 10 km (return) |
| Time: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (steps at the end) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
Finding the trailhead of the Burramoko Trail is easy. From the Great Western Highway, turn onto Ridgewell Road, just north of Blackheath town centre.
Follow Ridgewell Road for a short distance until you reach a gate with a small car park where you’ll also find the start of the walking trail (see location on map).
The road is unsealed but generally in good condition. While a 4WD can be handy for roads like this, it’s definitely not a necessity.
Track Notes
The 5 km (one-way) Burramoko Trail to Baltzer Lookout and Hanging Rock is a relatively easy, mostly flat walking track, suitable for all ages.
The more challenging section comes at the end, where you’ll need to navigate a steep descent and do some rock scrambling to reach Hanging Rock. For this reason, we strongly recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes with good grip.
Also, note that the Burramoko Trail is a popular cycling route, so you may need to share the trail with cyclists riding past.
In the map below, we have marked the two highlights and the car park:
- Baltzer Lookout
- Hanging Rock
Burramoko Trail
After parking your car, head to the locked gate to begin your hike. The first kilometre of the fire trail is outside the National Park boundaries, making this section dog-friendly.
You’ll come across an official Blue Mountains National Park sign and another locked gate as the trail enters the park, well beyond the Hat Hill Creek Fire Trail junction.
As you continue, the scenery transitions from dense forest to a more open landscape with beautiful district views. While the walk isn’t particularly steep, some sections have gentle undulations.
About 4 km into the walk, you’ll spot a sign for Baltzer Lookout and Hanging Rock, marking the start of the most exciting part of the hike.
Baltzer Lookout
That sign marks the official end of the fire trail and the beginning of the bushwalking section.
After about 200 metres on a narrow, rocky path that gently slopes uphill, you’ll reach the stunning Baltzer Lookout. It is located at the edge of Burramoko Head, the cliff-lined end of Burramoko Ridge facing the Grose Valley.
This lookout isn’t a formal, fenced viewing platform. Instead, it’s an open area right at the cliff’s edge, where you can explore and soak in the magnificent views of the Grose Valley.
On a clear day, you can spot several other Blue Mountains landmarks, including Bald Head to the east and Walls Lookout and Rigby Hill to the north.
As impressive as the Baltzer Lookout is, the scenery only gets better when you continue along the path to Hanging Rock.
Hanging Rock
That path to Hanging Rock branches off to the left of Baltzer Lookout, leading downhill from there.
The trail is fairly steep, mostly made up of steps, and while some sections can be a bit tricky, it’s not too difficult to manage.
As you descend, the views of Hanging Rock, the Grose Valley, and the surrounding cliff walls gradually open up.
The closer you get to Hanging Rock, the more striking the scenery becomes. You’ll also catch a clear view of Burramoko Head behind you, where you just made your way down.
At the end of the path, you’ll reach the spot where, if you’re feeling brave, you can make the small jump onto Hanging Rock.
While the jump itself isn’t particularly large, the height and exposure can make it feel daunting. But there’s no need to feel pressured; by this point, you’ve already enjoyed some of the best views the area has to offer.
Keep in mind that Hanging Rock is quite narrow and very exposed, and strong winds can make it even riskier. With all these factors in mind, we don’t recommend stepping onto the rock, but ultimately, it’s a personal decision.
The path continues a little beyond Hanging Rock, leading to another rock formation nearby. It’s definitely worth checking out, as it’s just a short distance away.
When you’re ready to head back, simply retrace your steps along the same fire trail to the car park and enjoy the walk back!
Nearby walks:
