| Time: | 5 hrs |
| Distance: | 17km |
| Fitness: | M |
| Skill: | EM |
| Ascent: | 410m |
| Maps: | LPI Kurrajong 9030-4N 1:25000 |
| LPI Springwood 9030-4S 1:25000 | |
Introduction
While the upper Grose River is regularly visited by people heading for the Blue Gum Forest and surrounds, the lower Grose is often forgotten. This is a pity, as in many ways it is more wild and less touched than some of the upper sections. This walk follows a fire trail and old walking track down to a beautiful swimming hole. It is best in late spring, so that the ridge walk in is not too hot, but the weather is still inviting enough for a swim at the bottom. Late spring also means that some of the wildflowers will still be out.
Access
Heading west along the Great Western Highway, turn right into Grose Rd at Faulconbridge (the turnoff to the Norman Lindsay Gallery). Veer left at a roundabout, and continue along the road until you hit the dirt. The dirt road reaches a locked gate about 2.5km after the turnoff from the Highway.
You can catch a train to Faulconbridge Station, and walk from there, but this adds about 2.5km each way.
Mountain bikes can also be used from Faulconbridge Station, and in fact could be used along the fire trail as well. The walking track to the Grose is about 2km each way.
Track notes
From 14 Nov 2004, last checked 15 Jul 2011
From the locked gate, head north along the fire trail. This is pleasant and easy walking, with minimal ups and downs. In summer, baby mountain dragons skitter across the path at your approach.
Keep an eye out for the track down to the Grose River. It is about 5.5km from the car park, and is on a slight uphill, at the same point as an old bulldozer track. It heads roughly north east. Continue past it for now for a further kilometre along the fire trail to the lookout, with fantastic views as the Grose River sweeps through a large bend below you. After a break, return back to the turnoff and take the track down to the Grose.
The track winds steeply down, although not as steeply as marked on the topo map. It crosses the creek several times and then flattens out, before dropping very steeply to the river. There are two short climb downs in the last section, and it would be advisable to get a confident scrambler to go down first and help others down. You may want a short rope.
At the bottom is a beautiful large pool. A large flat rock makes a great spot for lunch, or swim over to other rocks for a spot in the sun. Water should be ok to drink from the stream that joins at the bottom, as the catchment is entirely inside the national park. If it is dry, you can take water from the Grose, but it should be treated before drinking.
After a leisurely lunch and a swim, return the way you came.
The walk can also largely be done as a mountain bike ride, from Faulconbridge Station to the lookout. Lock bikes at the top of the walking track to the Grose, or hide them in the bushes.