Pros & cons
PROS
- Diverse terrain in a short loop—from heath to ferny rainforest and creek pools
- Convenient start/finish at Conservation Hut with toilets and a café
- Quieter feel once you’re past the first busy sections
CONS
- Relentless stairs for a short distance can tax legs on the climb out
- Creekside sections get slippery and can flood after heavy rain
- Very limited seating except at the rainforest picnic area
Park at the Conservation Hut car park at the end of Fletcher Street; the signed trailhead is to the right of the café.
Many stairs and some very steep, slippery sections with limited fencing near drops—especially after rain. If planning to connect via National Pass, verify current status first.
Overview
This is a compact but varied circuit that packs a lot into roughly 2.0 miles total. Starting and finishing at the Conservation Hut above Wentworth Falls, the Nature Track is clearly signposted and rated around Grade 4: expect steep sections, lots of stairs, and uneven surfaces. Most walkers take 1.5–2 hours, but the steps can make it feel spicier than the distance suggests.
Route and Highlights
Clockwise works nicely: from the Conservation Hut, descend through open heath into cool, shady rainforest. Soon you’ll reach Edinburgh Castle Rock, then wind to Lillian’s Glen and the beautifully named Asmodeus Pool. The track meets the top of the Valley of the Waters near a simple footbridge, then climbs via Empress Lookout back to the Hut. If you’ve got a little extra in the legs, a short detour leads to Empress Falls—worth it if water levels are friendly.
What You’ll See
The charm here is the rapid habitat shift: sunlit heathlands giving way to ferny gullies, mossy walls, and creekside nooks. Expect small cascades, photogenic pools, and a couple of lookouts with Jamison Valley drama. You’re walking classic Blue Mountains sandstone country, with swamps and fern gullies carved by water over millennia. Edinburgh Castle Rock is identified as an Aboriginal cultural site—treat it with respect.
Trail Feel and Crowds
The first stretches near the Hut can be busy, but the deeper rainforest sections usually settle into a peaceful rhythm. There are many stairs (some steel), handrails on the steepest bits, and limited fencing near drops, so it rewards attention underfoot and a steady pace.
Tips and Tricks
- Direction: Clockwise gives you the views early and a more gradual climb to finish.
- Footing: The creek sections can be wet and slippery, especially after rain; sturdy shoes are a must.
- Facilities: Toilets and a café at the trailhead; limited seating along the track aside from the rainforest picnic area.
- Connections: The loop meets the historic National Pass near Valley of the Waters. If you plan to extend, check current status before you go.
Best Time to Hike
It’s a year‑round option. Spring brings wildflowers and lush swamps; summer’s rainforest shade and pools offer relief from heat; autumn and winter are quieter, with moody morning mists—just note that post‑rain conditions can be slick. Go early for cooler temps and softer light in the gullies.
Elevation
2 mi · 2 hrWhere it starts
-33.7203, 150.3626Wildlife on this trail
Near Nature Track
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayValley of the Waters trackA stair-heavy rainforest plunge with nonstop Blue Mountains waterfalls.Moderate · 2.1 mi · 2 hr
0 mi awayHippocrene Falls TrackRemote Blue Mountains plunge-pool waterfalls for seasoned hikersChallenging · 5.8 mi · 5.5 hr
0 mi awayVera Falls walking trackRemote, rough descent to towering falls—reward for the skilledChallenging · 3.3 mi · 3.5 hr
0 mi awayRoberts PassHistoric, rugged pass linking rainforest gullies and cliff lines.Moderate · 2.7 mi · 1.8 hr
0 mi awayConservation Hut CafeCafe with huge valley views and trailheads at the doorTrailhead · Restroom
0 mi awaySylvia FallsLush, multi-tier cascade just beyond Empress Falls’ crowds
0.1 mi awayLyrebird LookoutCompact lookout, big Jamison Valley views via a short loopScenic Viewpoint · Restroom
0.2 mi awayValley of the Waters LookoutCliff-edge valley views and a gateway to waterfall walksTrailhead · Restroom
