The Lapstone Zig Zag Walk is a partly accessible bushwalking trail in the Glenbrook area that follows a historic railway line built in the late 19th century.
The trail leads to the Top Points Lookout before continuing down to the Knapsack Viaduct, a large sandstone bridge that once carried the Zig Zag Railway across a gully.
| Lapstone Zig Zag Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3 km (return) |
| Time: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep sections) |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Wheel-friendly: | Yes (up to Top Points Lookout) |
| Maps: |  PDF map |
 Interactive map |
|
Getting There
The trailhead for the Lapstone Zig Zag Walk is at the end of Knapsack Street in Glenbrook, where there’s a small car park.
To get there, turn into Knapsack Street from the Great Western Highway at the RAAF signpost in Glenbrook.
Alternatively, if you’re only interested in seeing the Knapsack Viaduct, you can park at the Knapsack Viaduct Car Park at the start of Mitchells Pass in Emu Plains.
Map
Below is a map of the walk starting from the car park on Knapsack Street:
- Lucasville Station
- Top Points Lookout
- Knapsack Viaduct
Track Notes
The Lapstone Zig Zag Walk is a fairly easy trail up to the Top Points Lookout. This 900-metre section is fully paved and wheelchair-friendly.
From there, you can descend the Knapsack Stairs to reach the top of the bridge, then continue down into the gully. This part of the walk is much steeper and more challenging.
Lucasville Station
Once you’ve parked, follow the path into the bush at the signpost.
The Lapstone Zig Zag was a section of railway between Emu Plains and Blaxland on the Main Western Railway, with the Knapsack Viaduct built as part of this route.
You’ll soon come across a signposted detour to the Quarry Lookout. While the lookout isn’t particularly impressive, it’s worth a visit if you’ve got time to spare.
Around 700 metres into the walk, you’ll see the old Lucasville Station on your left. It’s not signposted and can be easy to miss if you’re not paying close attention.
The station opened in 1877 for the convenience of Australian politician John Lucas, who owned a house nearby.
That house, called Lucasville, no longer exists, but remnants of the path leading to it are still visible. After years of neglect, little remains of the station aside from a raised, overgrown platform.
Top Points Lookout
From the station, it’s a short stroll to the Top Points Lookout, a large viewing platform with scenic views over the Cumberland Plain and Knapsack Gully.
Like the Quarry Lookout, it’s not the most impressive vantage point in the Blue Mountains, as the views are partly obscured by trees, but it’s still a pleasant spot to visit.
Knapsack Viaduct
From the Top Points Lookout, the descent to the top of the bridge begins via the steep Knapsack Stairs, which consist of over 100 wooden steps.
Opened in 1867, the Lapstone Zig Zag was the first railway into the Blue Mountains. The zig-zag design was necessary to gain height along the steep escarpment between Emu Plains and Blaxland.
The Knapsack Viaduct was built as part of this railway project. This arch bridge stands 40 metres high and stretches 120 metres, carrying the railway across Knapsack Gully.
The Lapstone Zig Zag railway closed in 1892 following the Glenbrook railway deviation, although the viaduct remained in use until a second deviation was introduced in 1913.
Interestingly, the viaduct became part of the old Great Western Highway in 1926 and remained in use until 1993, when the M4 Western Motorway opened.
We highly recommend continuing down into the gully to view this impressive viaduct from underneath. You’ll find the access point near the bottom of the Knapsack Stairs.
The path passes beneath one of the smaller arches before descending steeply into the gully. It’s a bit of a challenge, especially on the way back up, but well worth the effort.
More highlights in Glenbrook:
