| Time: | 3 hrs |
| Distance: | 9 km |
| Fitness: | E |
| Skill: | E |
| Ascent: | 170 m |
| Maps: | LPI Katoomba 8930-1S 1:25000 |
| LPI Mount Wilson 8930-1N 1:25000 | |
| Notes: | Print-friendly notes (opens in new window) |
Introduction
Waterfall near the Braeside Track
The loop walk involving the Popes Glen and Braeside Tracks is a pleasant and easy, but spectacular walk. Both tracks follow pretty creeks that rise in the Blackheath township. The tracks are linked by sections of the Pulpit Rock Track and Cliff Top Track that meet at the Govetts Leap Lookout. There are excellent views of the upper Grose Valley from various lookouts along the cliffside tracks.
The track is reasonably well signposted, with maps and signboards at the major intersections.
Access
The walk begins at Blackheath Station.
If coming by car, you could park on Govetts Leap Rd near Prince Edward St in Blackheath to avoid a couple of kilometres of road walking. Consult a map for more information.
Track notes
From 30 Aug 2009, last checked 15 Apr 2018
From Blackheath Station, cross the Great Western Highway, and walk down Gardiner Cr to the Memorial Park. Follow the path down through the park, past the duck pond, and turn left at the bottom on to Prince Edward St. Follow Prince Edward St around to the right as it becomes Wills St and then Dell St. Shortly after it becomes Dell St, look out for a sign and track on your right to Popes Glen.
The track is fairly gently graded and easy to follow, angling down into the Popes Glen Valley. The creek can be heard trickling away down to your right, through a ferny understory. Ignore a small track crossing the main one after about 300m, one branch of which leads left up to Dell St, the other across the creek to the right to Clarence Rd.
Another 200m along, the track crosses over the creek to the south on a small bridge. About the same distance again, ignore a side track to the left that crosses over the creek on another bridge, which leads up an eroded track to Connaught Rd and Rodriguez Ave. The main track continues along to a sharp right hand bend in the creek, where it crosses over at another bridge, before crossing back again after a few hundred metres. A short way after this, a signposted track junction is reached. The side track leads down to Boyds Beach, a small sandy area on the side of a pleasant pool.
Govetts Leap Falls from Barrow Lookout, with the Govetts Leap Track snaking down the cliff
Continuing along the main track for a short distance, you reach an impressive pagoda overlooking the creek, which has dropped some way below the track. From here it is easy walking past a small waterfall to the junction with the Pulpit Rock Track. If you have time to spare, it is about an hour each way out to Pulpit Rock. Otherwise, take the track towards Govetts Leap.
This section of track is rough and eroded in places. It climbs up steeply out of the Popes Glen Creek valley on to the cliff top, and winds past a number of lookouts before a track junction. Right is the easiest way up to Govetts Leap Lookout.
From the lookout, continue along the cliffs on the Cliff Top Track. This descends steeply after a short distance into Govetts Leap Brook, crossing the creek on stepping stones. The Braeside Track leaves the main track here, but it is worth the short detour along the Cliff Top Track to Barrow Lookout, where there are great views of the Govetts Leap Track clinging to the cliff as it winds its way to the foot of Govetts Leap Falls.
Return to the junction and follow the Braeside Track upstream. The track is fairly easy going, and leads up to an old railway water supply dam, small waterfall and picnic area, before crossing the creek and climbing out on to the Braeside Fire Trail.
Turn right, and follow the fire trail back to the sealed road at Cross St. Turn left, and then take the third right into Boreas St. Rejoin Govetts Leap Rd at the T-intersection, and follow it back to the highway and Blackheath Station.
View from a lookout near the Popes Glen Track
Related walks
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Personal reports
20/06/2010 - Popes Glen: Blackheath - Popes Glen - Govetts Leap - Fairfax Heritage Track - Blackheath (photos)