Parking
Start at Katoomba Falls Kiosk. Overnight parking is available at Katoomba Kiosk car park and Katoomba Oval; allow for the return to this same Katoomba access.
Overview
About Mount Solitary walking track
Why go
- A full backcountry circuit links Federal Pass, Ruined Castle and the Mount Solitary ridge.
- The route pairs 1882 mining remains with broad views over Jamison Valley and the southern ranges.
Heads up
- Grade 5 terrain includes a rough, unformed ridge section and a steep descent to Kedumba River.
- The published day distances do not add up to the advertised 34 km full loop.
Mount Solitary walking track is a 34 km loop from Katoomba Falls Kiosk, planned as a three-day backcountry trip with nights at Ruined Castle and Kedumba River campgrounds. It descends Furber Steps to Federal Pass, crosses the rough ridge of Mount Solitary, then returns through Sublime Point, Leura Forest and Fern Bower. This is a Grade 5 walk for experienced, self-reliant bushwalkers. I’d choose it for a full wilderness traverse, not a quick summit visit. The published day legs are 7, 9 and 14 km, which total 30; use the full 34 km distance to plan the return to Katoomba. If you only want the summit, a separate roughly 13 km return from Golden Stairs via Ruined Castle is shorter, but it’s a different route.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the hike for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Blue Mountains map
Full mapElevation223–979 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 Mount Solitary walking track, 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
Katoomba Falls and Cascades0:00 / 0:33
“You're nearing the Katoomba Falls and Cascades area, where you can choose a short look at the river or a longer waterfall walk. The Cascades are low falls over rock shelves, reached by a short path with steps.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Blue Mountains Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Scenic World's Rides and Rainforest
- Eagle Hawk Lookout
- Echo Point and the Three Sisters
- Narrow Neck Lookout: Between Two Valleys
- 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 Mount Solitary walking track
Day one: tramway to Ruined CastleFrom the kiosk, descend Furber Steps and join Federal Pass, the old horse-drawn tramway…
From the kiosk, descend Furber Steps and join Federal Pass, the old horse-drawn tramway corridor. This first 7 km takes about 4.5 hours; expect rocky ground under tree ferns and mountain blue gums. Ruined Castle campground sits beside mining remains dated to 1882. A short walk reaches the sandstone formation itself, with Jamison Valley spread behind it. Leave time for this spur; it’s a distinct view from the ridge you’ll reach tomorrow.
Day two: the Knife EdgeThe 9 km second day is the hardest, with an official estimate of about 8 hours.
The 9 km second day is the hardest, with an official estimate of about 8 hours. The western climb follows Korowal (also spelled Korrowal) Knife Edge, a rough, unformed track that makes footing and navigation the main challenge. A short detour reaches Chinamans Gully for wide views across Jamison Valley and south toward the Wild Dog Mountains and Kanangra-Boyd wilderness. Cross the Mount Solitary plateau, then descend steeply down its eastern side to Kedumba River campground.
The ridge and its wildlifeMountain heath, old man banksias and scribbly gums give the top a different feel from the…
Mountain heath, old man banksias and scribbly gums give the top a different feel from the rainforest start. The park also notes wedge-tailed eagles riding thermals over the valley and peregrine falcons heard around the ridge. From Chinamans Gully, frame the cliffline with the valley below to show the drop and the scale of the southern ranges.
Day three: Fern Bower and the climb outFrom Kedumba River, the route climbs back toward Sublime Point fire trail, then heads west past…
From Kedumba River, the route climbs back toward Sublime Point fire trail, then heads west past Jamison and Leura Falls creeks, through Leura Forest and the rainforest gully of Fern Bower. Linda and Lila waterfalls lie close to the track; spring waratah adds a red flash to the grey forest gums. The final rise returns to Katoomba; the Prince Henry Cliff Walk option finishes at Furber Steps. The day plan’s 14 km does not match the full 34 km circuit length, so allow for the return connection and use the loop total.
Camping, water and accessThe route has two bush-camp nights; non-flush toilets and picnic tables are listed only at…
The route has two bush-camp nights; non-flush toilets and picnic tables are listed only at Ruined Castle. Treat water collected from creeks, waterholes and tanks. No dependable source on the plateau was verified, so plan water between camps rather than assuming it will be there. The park recommends a trip intention form, map, compass, PLB and supplies for all weather. No pets are permitted except certified assistance animals. Katoomba Falls Kiosk is at the start; treat it as a separate café stop, not a backcountry resupply point.
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.
