Mount Banks is a recognisable mountain peak located along the northern escarpment of the Grose Valley, a quiet area that is often overlooked by tourists.
The walk to the summit of Mount Banks is a rewarding adventure, offering scenic views of the Grose Wilderness and beyond.
Two walking trails lead to the summit, but in this article, we’ll discuss the shorter, more enjoyable one.
| Mount Banks Summit Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.5 km (return) |
| Time: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep sections) |
| Elevation: | 1,062 m |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The trailhead for this walk can be reached via the Bells Line of Road between Mount Tomah and Bell.
Turn into Mount Banks Rd (signposted) from Bells Line of Rd and keep driving for 1 km until you reach the car park at the picnic area (see map location).
Note that this is an unsealed road, but it is in good condition. A 4WD vehicle is not required to get there safely.
Below is a map of the walk from the car park to the summit.
Track Notes
The moderately challenging walk to the summit of Mount Banks is short but also quite steep. Overall, the path is well-maintained and easy to follow, but it is a bit overgrown towards the end of the walk.
There are two ways to get to the summit:
- Via the road
- Via the ridge
We strongly recommend doing the shorter walk via the ridge because the views are much better. You do have the option to do both walking tracks and turn it into a loop (more details below).
Start of the Walk
From the car park, look for the start of the walk on the right side of the big signpost. The path can be found right behind the large boulder.
From there, the trail climbs steadily uphill along a narrow but well-maintained path, with sections supported by wooden stairs.
A little further along, Mount Banks comes into view, looming ahead. It may not seem too steep from that angle, but it’s going to be a challenging climb!
Grose Valley Views
The views get better the further you walk, with the fire trail (Mount Banks One Trail) visible on the left and the valley on the right.
Especially the valley views are breathtaking the higher you get.
We recommend going off-track a bit and exploring the rocky areas closer to the escarpment where the views are the best.
Keep in mind that this part of the Blue Mountains is quite exposed, making it prone to strong winds, so take extra caution while exploring.
As you continue on the main trail, closer to the mountain, you’ll need to tackle another set of stairs before the landscape shifts from open terrain to forested surroundings.
The Summit
After entering the forest, it’s just a few hundred meters to the trig station at the top of the mountain.
Along the way, you’ll come across a junction with the fire trail. If you plan to do the loop on your return, follow that path.
Mount Banks was named by the English botanist and explorer George Caley, the first European to reach its summit in 1804, in honour of Sir Joseph Banks.
Banks, an influential English naturalist and botanist, had employed Caley as a botanical collector in New South Wales during the late 18th century.
The views from the summit may be mostly obscured by trees, but it’s still a rewarding experience to reach the top and take in the surroundings.
If you walk a little bit further, past the trig station, you’ll get some more valley views between the trees.
As mentioned, if you’d like to turn this hike into a loop, follow the signs for the fire trail on your return. That walk is a bit longer, but it’s not as steep.
Otherwise, you can head back down the mountain by retracing your steps along the same path!
Nearby hikes:
