The Three Sisters Walk is a popular, family-friendly walking trail with multiple lookouts, leading to the most iconic landmark in the Blue Mountains.
Starting at Echo Point, this short trail brings visitors up close to the magnificent Three Sisters, with plenty of options to extend the trail in various directions.
| Three Sisters Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1 hour (with browsing) |
| Grade: | Easy (staircase at the end) |
| Wheel-friendly: | Up until Oreades Lookout |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
Echo Point can be reached easily by car as well as by public transport. We strongly recommend visiting early in the day, given that this is a busy tourist precinct.
Parking is available along Echo Point Road and Cliff Drive, close to the precinct. If those streets are at capacity, try parking a bit further away in the suburban streets. Most streets in this area have metered parking.
Public transport is also a very good option. Catch a train to Katoomba Station, and from there, catch a bus to the Echo Point Road bus stop.
It’s also worth pointing out that the path is wheelchair-accessible (with assistance) up until the Oreades Lookout.
Map
The map below shows the walking trail along the following five highlights:
- Echo Point
- Spooners Lookout
- Oreades Lookout
- Giant Stairway
- Three Sisters
Track Notes
The walking track to the Three Sisters is a short, family-friendly trail that is well-maintained. There are steps, particularly at the end, but it’s not hard.
Echo Point is the perfect starting location if you want to do more hiking than just the trail to the Three Sisters. At the end of this article, we’ll give you a few tips on how to make the most of your visit.
1. Echo Point
Echo Point is a spacious area with multiple lookout platforms providing stunning views of the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley.
If it’s your first time visiting the Blue Mountains, Echo Point is sure to leave you in awe. Seeing the famous rock formation with the valley in the background is a truly unforgettable experience.
We also recommend stepping inside the Visitor Information Centre, where you can learn more about the Blue Mountains in general and obtain more information about the various things you can do in the area.
To start the walking trail to the Three Sisters, look for the archway and large signpost next to the Information Centre.
2. Spooners Lookout
Walk through that stone archway to start the walking trail, and very soon you’ll arrive at a junction with a path veering to the right.
That’s the path leading to the Spooners Lookout, and we recommend doing that very short detour first before continuing on the main trail.
The Spooners Lookout is a fenced viewing platform from where you can see the Three Sisters, the Jamison Valley, and two of the lookout platforms of Echo Point.
From the Spooners Lookout, retrace your steps and continue on the main track heading to the Three Sisters.
3. Oreades Lookout
The next highlight is the Oreades Lookout, a spacious viewing platform offering panoramic valley views.
It’s a fantastic lookout with lots of space to move around and enjoy the views. There is also seating if you’d like to have a rest.
4. Giant Stairway
From the Spooners Lookout, it’s only a short stroll to the start of the historic Giant Stairway.
Like the start of the Three Sisters Walk at the Information Centre, the entrance to the Giant Stairway is marked with an old stone archway.
To reach the Three Sisters, you’ll only have to climb down a short section of the Giant Stairway. It’s quite steep, but very safe.
The Giant Stairway consists of more than 800 steel and stone steps and is quite an impressive piece of engineering. It was officially opened in October 1932 by Sir Bertram Sydney Barnsdale Stevens, premier of New South Wales.
5. Three Sisters
After descending a couple of metal stairs, you’ll arrive at the Honeymoon Bridge. This is a small footbridge that connects with the first of the Three Sisters.
The Three Sisters were shaped by the forces of wind, rain, and rivers, gradually eroding the sandstone cliffs that surround the Jamison Valley.
Note that the Honeymoon Bridge can be closed at short notice, which often happens during periods of bad weather. But even without crossing that little bridge, the experience and the views are fantastic.
Up for another hike?
From Echo Point, follow the Prince Henry Cliff Walk to Katoomba Cascades, past several beautiful lookouts. From there, you can continue hiking to Katoomba Falls, with even more fantastic views.
At the other end, head down the Giant Stairway and either turn left via the Dardanelles Pass to Leura, or turn right via the Federal Pass, which links up with the Katoomba Falls Round Walk. All these walks are signposted!
