Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains
Let the canyon wattle rustle us into the Grand Canyon Walking Track, Blue Mountains, I’m reminded how this loop still surprises even the most seasoned bushwalkers.
The Grand Canyon Walking Track isn’t some polished Scenic World attraction — it’s the real deal: wet stone, narrow ledges, rainforest gullies, and sandstone walls that rise like ancient guardians. You’ll descend into a cool, mossy world carved by Greaves Creek, wander through a deep gorge that hides glow worms, and climb out again along rock paths that will make your calves chat back to you later.
What makes it special is its honesty. No gloss. No shortcuts. Just a proper Bushwalking Experience through a World Heritage-listed landscape shaped by water, time, and a lot of footsteps.
A Bushwalk Through Stone Country
Once you leave the Grand Canyon Carpark at Evans Lookout or Neates Glen Parking Area, the track wastes no time heading downwards. The stone steps, cut into the sandstone escarpments more than a century ago, zigzag into deep shade.
As you descend, the bush shifts:
- Scribbly gums give way to rainforest gullies
- Golden wattles appear where sunlight still reaches
- The echo of traffic from the Great Western Highway fades
Every few bends, you’ll catch glimpses of the Grose Valley or the distant sandstone cliffs near Govetts Leap Lookout. But the canyon keeps pulling you deeper until the light narrows and the air turns cold enough that your breath fogs.
By the time you reach Greaves Creek, you’ll know you’ve properly arrived.
Dropping Into The Canyon
You start by heading down… and down… and down.
The descent from Evans Lookout or Neates Glen is steep, stone-cut, and occasionally rough as guts after rain. This isn’t a vertical cliff scramble, but it’s not the place to wear your “fashion joggers” either.
Those steps were built in 1907, and honestly, they’ve held up better than some highway bitumen around Sydney.
As you descend, you’ll notice:
- Damp air rolling up the walls
- Lyrebirds scratching around in the undergrowth
- The shift from scribbly gums to rainforest species
Once you hit the canyon proper, you’ll know it. The sound of running water replaces bird chatter, and you’re wrapped in cool, green shadow.
Inside The Canyon
This is the belly of the beast — narrow, damp and beautiful in a very un-touristy way.
The walls tower above you like cathedral aisles, but instead of stained glass, you’ve got ferns, moss and the occasional goanna who thinks he owns the joint.
Expect:
- Slippery stone
- Misty air
- Water crossings
- Ferns brushing your legs
- A total disconnect from the world above
Every time I walk through here I get the same feeling I got 20 years ago guiding travellers across Europe: the “how is this real?” moment. No amount of glossy brochures can fake it.
Climbing Out
What goes down eventually has to head back up – and be warned, this part’s a real killer.
Most walkers seriously underestimate just how steep that final slog feels after meandering through the gorge in a dreamlike haze. You’ll be scrambling up switchbacks, tight little staircases, and ledges that’ll have your quads screaming ‘no more’.
My advice?
Take it slow, don’t try to outrun the mountain goats racing ahead of you and your family, and stop to take a breather whenever you feel like gazing out at the views (or if you want to pretend you’re just stopping to look at the view).
But the payoff’s not far off. As you keep climbing, the canyon starts opening up, and you get glimpses of the Jamison Valley and Grose Valley between the trees. A short side trip will take you to the Valley View Lookout, or if you start and finish via Neates Glen, you can head to the quieter viewpoints above the gorge.
By the time you get back to Evans Lookout, the sunlight hits your face like a warm welcome back to the world.
The Secret Grotto Waterfall at Neates Glen
Tucked away from the main path, this tiny little grotto feels like the set from a fantasy film – minus the overpriced CGI that would’ve made it look fake anyway.
The waterfall’s not huge, and come late spring, you’ll only get a tiny trickle. But after a big rain, the water sweeps over the moss-covered arc like a beautiful curtain.
The grotto gives you:
- Somewhere quiet to catch your breath when you need to
- A safe little spot to step off the track without trashing the place
- A really nice photo opportunity with hardly anyone around
Just a reminder, though: ‘secret’ means fragile, not invincible. Be gentle, stick to the formed path and leave it just as you found it.
Local Wildlife You Might Spot
The Grand Canyon Track is teeming with critters who really don’t care whether you’re a first-time walker or a bushwalk veteran.
Keep an eye out for:
- Lyrebirds (which often scratch at the steps)
- Eastern Water Dragons sunning themselves on the rocks
- Goannas patrolling the edges
- Swamp wallabies up in the trees
- Glow worms, if you come back after dark
Honesty time: Yes, in the wet season, you might run into leeches. They’re harmless – just really annoying. Salt’s a help, and so is just ignoring them until you’re out of the damp patch.
After-Dark Magic In The Gorge
Walking the Grand Canyon Track at night, you’ll see the glow worms lighting up the canyon walls like a string of tiny blue fairy lights.
It’s quiet, spooky, and bloody worth the cost of the headlamp batteries.
A few rules to keep it safe and respectful:
- Don’t shine your light right on the glow worms
- Stay on the path – it’s slippery out there
- Walk quietly and slowly – it’s hard to see where you’re going in the dark
- Keep it down – your voice carries a long way down there
If this is your first time seeing glow worms, this will be a highlight of your Blue Mountains trip.
Getting To The Gorge Track
You can get to the track from either Evans Lookout or Neates Glen. Both are near Blackheath, and both car parks fill up way faster than a servo sausage roll stand at a footy match on a Saturday.
Quick Access Table
| Access Point | Distance from Blackheath | Parking | Difficulty of Start | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evans Lookout | ~6 km | Limited | Steep descent | Best views, popular trailhead |
| Neates Glen | ~5 km | Moderate | Immediate steps | Quieter, closer to the grotto |
Public transport?
Catch a train to Blackheath Station or Katoomba Station, then taxi/Uber up Evans Lookout Road.
Seasonal Conditions: Choosing the Safest and Most Scenic Time
The Blue Mountains don’t mess around when it comes to seasonal changes.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Hot, humid, storms by mid-arvo. The track can flood temporarily after heavy rain.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Best time — cool temps, stable weather, fewer mozzies.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Freezing mornings, icy surfaces, short daylight. But the air? Magic.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Peak wildflower season; also peak “slippery rock” season, thanks to spring rain.
If the Bureau warns of storms or the NPWS posts flood alerts, give the canyon a miss. It fills fast and drains slow.
Warnings & Restrictions
A few things every walker — and every Blue Mountains Tour guest — needs to respect:
- No drones (CASA guidelines + wildlife disturbance)
- No off-track canyon scrambling
- No swimming in deep plunge pools
- Be cautious near slippery rock ledges
- Stick to the formed tracks to preserve the Heritage fabric
- Avoid visiting during heavy rain due to water surges
If NPWS states the track is closed, that’s final. The canyon has claimed more ankles than I can count.
Practical Tips
Bring:
- Hiking shoes
- 1–2 L of drinking water
- First aid kit
- Hiking poles
- Rain jacket
- Snacks that survive humidity
- A headlamp (even for day walks)
And of course — take a photo of the Wayfinding & Signage map before you begin. Reception is patchy, and GPS Tracks can be jumpy under rock overhangs.
FAQ
How hard is the Grand Canyon Loop Walk?
Moderate. The descents and ascents are steep, but the track is formed.
How long does the walk take?
2.5–3.5 hours, depending on fitness and photo stops.
Are glow worms safe to view?
Yes — just don’t shine a bright light directly on them.
Can I swim in the rock pools?
No — NSW National Parks says no to swimming due to safety risks.
Is the track suitable for kids?
Older kids with strong footing can manage it, but the steep sections require close supervision.
