Ruined Castle Walking Track
Ruined Castle Walking Track
Ruined Castle Walking Track
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5.0
13 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Stu C
Katoomba, Australia11 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Solo
This is a spectacular walk and one of the most popular in the Katoomba area.
I left early to beat the heat (6am) as well as the chance to see more bird life.
At the time of writing (Sept 2023) Glenraphael Drive is closed. You can park at Narrow Neck Lookout on Cliff Drive and there’s a short, steep track that takes you down to Glenraphael Drive which leads onto Narrow Neck Plateau Trail (unsealed road).
From here, the trail winds its way up to the top of Narrow Neck and after about a half hour or so you’ll come to the Golden Stairs. This track will take you down into the valley. It’s very steep and rough in sections but has great views across the valley including looking back to the Three Sisters.
Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, head right towards the Ruined Castle (it’s well sign posted).
From here you wander through open forest with some beautiful sections of rainforest. This track out to the Ruined Castle along the valley is pretty flat and a good chance to catch your breath after coming down the stairs.
The track then takes a turn back up the ridge towards the Ruined Castle (there is a small bush toilet block near here also, and a campsite).
After a steady climb up some stairs you’ll reach the giant rocks that make up the Ruined Castle. In spring there are Waratahs (beautiful large red flowers) and other native flora everywhere.
I managed to scramble up one of the boulders for amazing views back along Narrow Neck and the Jamison Valley. This is a good place to stop for lunch before heading back along the track to the Golden Stairs.
Going back up the stairs is hard going and not for everyone. You’ll need to be reasonably fit with good shoes and have plenty of water ( NPWS sign recommends 4 litres per person and I agree, especially because I only took 2!) If you’re not keen on the Golden Stairs there’s the option of coming down or going back up via the Scenic Railway during operating hours, but I didn’t try this. If I were camping at the Ruined Castle or further on at Mt Solitary with a backpack, I would opt for the railway.
Excellent animal and plant life- I saw wallabies, golden whistlers, superb lyrebirds and many of the usual bush birds. Huge Eucalypts and Turpentines also.
A good walk for the cooler months- Highly recommend if you’re up for a good, solid day walk in the mountains.
I left early to beat the heat (6am) as well as the chance to see more bird life.
At the time of writing (Sept 2023) Glenraphael Drive is closed. You can park at Narrow Neck Lookout on Cliff Drive and there’s a short, steep track that takes you down to Glenraphael Drive which leads onto Narrow Neck Plateau Trail (unsealed road).
From here, the trail winds its way up to the top of Narrow Neck and after about a half hour or so you’ll come to the Golden Stairs. This track will take you down into the valley. It’s very steep and rough in sections but has great views across the valley including looking back to the Three Sisters.
Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, head right towards the Ruined Castle (it’s well sign posted).
From here you wander through open forest with some beautiful sections of rainforest. This track out to the Ruined Castle along the valley is pretty flat and a good chance to catch your breath after coming down the stairs.
The track then takes a turn back up the ridge towards the Ruined Castle (there is a small bush toilet block near here also, and a campsite).
After a steady climb up some stairs you’ll reach the giant rocks that make up the Ruined Castle. In spring there are Waratahs (beautiful large red flowers) and other native flora everywhere.
I managed to scramble up one of the boulders for amazing views back along Narrow Neck and the Jamison Valley. This is a good place to stop for lunch before heading back along the track to the Golden Stairs.
Going back up the stairs is hard going and not for everyone. You’ll need to be reasonably fit with good shoes and have plenty of water ( NPWS sign recommends 4 litres per person and I agree, especially because I only took 2!) If you’re not keen on the Golden Stairs there’s the option of coming down or going back up via the Scenic Railway during operating hours, but I didn’t try this. If I were camping at the Ruined Castle or further on at Mt Solitary with a backpack, I would opt for the railway.
Excellent animal and plant life- I saw wallabies, golden whistlers, superb lyrebirds and many of the usual bush birds. Huge Eucalypts and Turpentines also.
A good walk for the cooler months- Highly recommend if you’re up for a good, solid day walk in the mountains.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BMW1951
Brisbane, Australia222 contributions
Oct. 2019
In our walking group, most made the walk and completed , but a few found the advocate scrambling difficult , and having twisted a knee, two made a measured retreat. It’s a long way back if you loiter to catch the last train up the slope
Written 10 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin Diefenbach
Waltham, MA113 contributions
Oct. 2019 • Solo
I hiked down the Golden Staircase to Mount Solitary via Ruined Castle. This was a great 5hr hike with semi-challenging terrain past ruined castle. There were very few people on the trail on a perfect day in September. There was phone service the entire time. No place for water but a bathroom port at the base of ruined castle.
I put "Mount Solitary" as my destination in Google Maps and it worked perfect. Highly recommend this if in Katoomba! Bring at least 2 large bottles of water plus snacks. I actually hiked here all the way from near the train station so it was a 7 hope day. You can use a contactless card on the public bus to get closer to Scenic Would and start your hike from there.
I put "Mount Solitary" as my destination in Google Maps and it worked perfect. Highly recommend this if in Katoomba! Bring at least 2 large bottles of water plus snacks. I actually hiked here all the way from near the train station so it was a 7 hope day. You can use a contactless card on the public bus to get closer to Scenic Would and start your hike from there.
Written 1 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HahnTravels
Liverpool, Australia1,213 contributions
Jun. 2019 • Solo
Headed down from Golden Stairs car park. The road to the stairs has been repaired. Enjoyable and fairly flat walk once you reach the bottom, plenty of fern groves, forest areas and lyrebirds. Once you reach ruined castle, there is a climb of about 650m to the rock outcrops. Returning the same way, the stairs are tough but it is rewarding when you reach the top. Highly recommended walk.
Written 8 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blue Mountains Hiking Tours
Wentworth Falls, Australia41 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We were pleasantly surprised to find that the 2km long dirt road (Glenraphael Drive) turning off from Cliff Drive to the car park next to the Golden Stairs (on Narrow Neck Plateau Trail) has been recently repaired. It turned from a grade 1 (very very bad) to almost a grade 10 (highway like) dirt track. Good job! This section of road is presently suitable for all types of cars, even smaller ones...until the next major rain storm.
Walking down Golden Stairs (20mins) brings you to the Federal Pass walking track. Turning right on Federal Pass Track will let you arrive one hour later at Ruined Castle bush camping area (with new toilets). The track leads further to Mount Solitary (climbing up this mountain is hard and only for experienced bush walkers!).
Walking down Golden Stairs (20mins) brings you to the Federal Pass walking track. Turning right on Federal Pass Track will let you arrive one hour later at Ruined Castle bush camping area (with new toilets). The track leads further to Mount Solitary (climbing up this mountain is hard and only for experienced bush walkers!).
Written 16 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morto101
Silverdale, Australia30 contributions
Jan. 2019 • Friends
Had a great walk there today, did 14km from start to finish, took 3:45, golden stairs were tough up and down but overall was a pretty easy walk, there were toilets on the track and picnic tables, the views were sensational, can’t wait to do it again and take on some longer trails
Written 4 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brookie
Sydney, Australia313 contributions
Nov. 2018 • Friends
Our large group of mainly over 60 year olds thoroughly enjoyed this walk. Some of us went up and down the Scenic Railway to save our knees from the 996 Furber Steps. Our walk took about 5 hours and that included a morning tea and lunch break. It is not a strenuous walk but a long one. This was my third time and I thoroughly enjoyed it again.
Written 28 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin M
Blue Mountains, Australia19 contributions
Sep. 2018 • Friends
A great bush walk that is mostly not too difficult (I'm 50 and have a had heart bypass) - although the climb out (we did the golden stairs) was reasonably tough but you can take it slow. I would suggest early in the morning during summer as during summer it would be pretty warm work. Good views and a few different habits and don't forget to look out for the lyrebirds and the old coal mine,
Written 14 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dave w
Nowra, Australia832 contributions
Oct. 2018 • Couples
we have done this walk a couple of times. the track is really good and the camping area is lovely. the ruined castle itself is amazing
Written 9 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda R
Botany, Australia71 contributions
Jul. 2018 • Couples
Absolutely stunning walk, didnt take any photos as I was in awe of this place and just wanted to enjoy it.
We made our way from Katoomba, down Cliff Road and then onto Glenraphael Drive. This road was extremely bumpy, And I was very pleased we were in a 4wd. There were normal cars that had got up there however I would suggest a 4wd if you've got one.. walk starts from the golden stairs. This is where you descend 800m to the bottom, this part was extremely steep however me being someone a bit nervous going downhill survived... So don't let that put you off. Then it's pretty straight walking for about 3kms through absolutely amazing bush to the base of the next hill up to the rocks. It's about 600m up the hill, but it wasn't that strenuous. Pretty amazing views out over the blue mountains once you reach the top. Highly recommend this walk but some fitness would be required for the walk back up the golden stairs to the car!
We made our way from Katoomba, down Cliff Road and then onto Glenraphael Drive. This road was extremely bumpy, And I was very pleased we were in a 4wd. There were normal cars that had got up there however I would suggest a 4wd if you've got one.. walk starts from the golden stairs. This is where you descend 800m to the bottom, this part was extremely steep however me being someone a bit nervous going downhill survived... So don't let that put you off. Then it's pretty straight walking for about 3kms through absolutely amazing bush to the base of the next hill up to the rocks. It's about 600m up the hill, but it wasn't that strenuous. Pretty amazing views out over the blue mountains once you reach the top. Highly recommend this walk but some fitness would be required for the walk back up the golden stairs to the car!
Written 3 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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