Parking
Follow signs to Scenic World, then park near Katoomba Falls Kiosk by Katoomba Caravan Park. Weekend parking can be limited. The approach roads are sealed and suitable for 2WD vehicles.
Overview
About Furber Steps walk
Why go
- A steep stairway leads quickly from the escarpment into rainforest.
- Katoomba Falls and Mount Solitary views on a short route.
Heads up
- The many steps make the return climb a real effort.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Blue Mountains map
Full mapElevation784–954 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
3 active Blue Mountains alerts
- ClosureRoads and tracks closed across Blue Mountains National ParkMany roads, fire trails and walking tracks across Blue Mountains National Park are closed; do not enter closed areas.Official details
- CautionPark-wide solid-fuel fire banA park fire ban is active across Blue Mountains National Park: campfires and solid-fuel barbecues and stoves are prohibited. - Gas and electric cookers are permitted, subject to safety rules.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Blue Mountains Tour Guide
Your drive to Furber Steps walk, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Blue Mountains National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Blue Mountains audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Scenic World's Rides and Rainforest0:00 / 0:37
“Up ahead is Scenic World, where rides take you across the cliffs and down into Jamison Valley. I'd choose it if you want to experience the valley from above and below without a long bushwalk.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Blue Mountains Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Eagle Hawk Lookout
- Katoomba Falls and Cascades
- Narrow Neck Lookout: Between Two Valleys
- Echo Point and the Three Sisters
- 188 audio storiesacross Blue Mountains’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grey Kangaroo, Wombat, Red-necked Wallaby, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 110 trails, 84 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Furber Steps walk
Go for the cliff-to-valley changeFurber Steps walk is a 2.
Furber Steps walk is a 2.2 km return from the Scenic World rim into Jamison Valley and back, with a signed clifftop approach, the steep named stairway and a short valley-floor connector toward Katoomba Falls. Allow 1 to 2 hours. It suits walkers who want a real drop into the rainforest without making a day of it; the distance is short, but the stairs do not let you coast. The route follows the upper path to Furber Steps, then reaches the falls-side end of Federal Pass before retracing the same corridor.
The climb back is the price of the viewExpect many steps, short steep hills, and a formed track with some obstacles.
Expect many steps, short steep hills, and a formed track with some obstacles. The route is Grade 3, with some bushwalking experience recommended and clear signs along the way. The descent is the treat; the return climb is the demanding half. Keep your pace steady on the stairs and take breaks where the tread is wide.
A rainforest pocket below KatoombaAs the path drops, the open escarpment gives way to lush rainforest and cascading water.
As the path drops, the open escarpment gives way to lush rainforest and cascading water. From the valley, look across Jamison Valley toward Mount Solitary. Catbirds and wonga pigeons may be heard in the forest. Cooks Crossing has picnic tables near the base of Katoomba Falls. For a route-specific photo, stop safely off the tread and frame the stairs against the sandstone cliff.
Getting there and what the distance includesFollow signs for Scenic World; parking is near Katoomba Falls Kiosk by Katoomba Caravan Park.
Follow signs for Scenic World; parking is near Katoomba Falls Kiosk by Katoomba Caravan Park. It can be busy on weekends and spaces may be limited. Toilets and drinking water are near the parking areas. Pets other than certified assistance animals are not permitted. The 2.2 km figure is for this stairway return; longer Federal Pass outings or a return by Scenic Railway or Cableway are different trips and add distance.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Blue Mountains
58 sightingsGrey KangarooMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
43 sightingsWombatMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
18 sightingsRed-necked WallabyMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
53 sightingsSwamp WallabyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
23 sightingsBrushtail PossumMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
30 sightingsRing-tailed PossumMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Blue Mountains. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
