Katoomba is the heart of the Blue Mountains, and while most visitors head straight to Echo Point and the Three Sisters, there is so much more waiting beyond the main attractions.
From deep valley trails to clifftop paths, there are tracks here for all types of walkers, whether you’re after a quick stroll or a half-day adventure.
Below are five of the best walks to explore around Katoomba, each offering a different way to experience this beautiful part of the mountains.
1. Three Sisters Walk
The Three Sisters Walk is a popular, family-friendly trail with several lookouts, leading to one of the most iconic landmarks in the Blue Mountains.
Starting from Echo Point, this short walk brings you close to the Three Sisters, with options to continue further along the clifftop for more views or into the valley for a bushwalk.
The path is accessible up to Oreades Lookout, making it an easy and rewarding outing for most visitors.
Read more: Three Sisters Walk.
| Three Sisters Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1 km (return) |
| Time: | 1 hour (with browsing) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Wheel-friendly: | Yes (until Oreades Lookout) |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
2. Katoomba Falls Round Walk
The Katoomba Falls Round Walk is an easy, family-friendly trail that links several lookouts with excellent views of Katoomba Falls and the Jamison Valley.
You can start from either Katoomba Falls Reserve or Scenic World. We recommend parking at Katoomba Falls Reserve, from where you can easily cross the road and find the walking trail.
One of the highlights is Juliets Balcony, a lookout that offers terrific views of the falls. Further along the walk is a detour that allows you to see the waterfall from close by.
Read more: Katoomba Falls Round Walk.
| Katoomba Falls Round Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.5 km (loop) |
| Time: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate (steep sections) |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Route: | Google Maps |
3. Minnehaha Falls Walking Track
Minnehaha Falls is a small but scenic waterfall on Yosemite Creek in North Katoomba, with a natural pool at the base that is great for a refreshing swim.
A short walking track leads through bushland to the falls, with a few steep staircases near the end adding a bit of a challenge.
This walk sits outside the national park, so dogs are more than welcome to join you, albeit on a lead.
Read more: Minnehaha Falls Walking Track.
| Minnehaha Falls Walking Track | ||
|---|---|---|
| Distance: | 3 km (return) | |
| Time: | 1.5 hours | |
| Grade: | Easy (steep sections) | |
| Wheel-friendly: | No | |
| Dog-friendly: | No | |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps | |
4. Echo Point to Reids Plateau
The walking track between Echo Point and Reids Plateau is a short, family-friendly trail with several lookouts and great views of the Jamison Valley.
This section forms part of the Grand Cliff Top Walk, which links Wentworth Falls, Leura, and Katoomba, and is an easy way to enjoy this popular part of the mountains.
Along the way, you will pass Katoomba Cascades, a small waterfall just north of where Katoomba Falls drops into the valley, adding a nice extra highlight to the walk.
Read more: Echo Point to Reids Plateau.
| Echo Point to Reids Plateau | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 4 km (return) |
| Time: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy (some steps) |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Route: | Google Maps |
5. Giant Stairway to Furber Steps Loop
The Giant Stairway to Furber Steps Loop is a classic Katoomba walk that includes two of the most iconic and steep staircases in the Blue Mountains.
This track combines big Jamison Valley views along the escarpment with a pleasant bush walk through the valley below, making it the perfect Blue Mountains walk.
Both the Giant Stairway near the Three Sisters and the Furber Steps at Scenic World are steep and demanding, so take your time and enjoy the walk through this impressive landscape.
| Giant Stairway to Furber Steps Loop | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 6 km (loop) |
| Time: | 2.5 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep sections) |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Route: | Google Maps |
Beginners Guide to the Blue Mountains
Grab our ebook and discover seven of the finest walks and seven of the most scenic lookouts in the Blue Mountains, perfect for first-time visitors.
