Mountain climbing the 6-Foot Observe within the Blue Mountains is without doubt one of the best multi-day hikes within the Blue Mountains, simply west of Sydney. This path is a superb first in a single day hike choice for these with little bushwalking expertise. Not solely that it’s straightforward however there are nice public transport choices.
Little navigation abilities are wanted for the 6-foot observe, though a map and compass are wanted. There are snug campsites with water, bathrooms, and flat sections for pitching the tent. The path is 44km lengthy and there are some hills but it surely’s all comparatively manageable for anyone of common health stage. It’s additionally attainable to finish the observe with the help of public transport, which is a bonus.
NOTE: In 2025 the street to Jenolan Caves is closed attributable to a landslide and the Lodge at Jenolan Caves has been closed for renovations. On the time of writing, there has not been a confirmed opening date or transport choices however in the direction of the top of 2025, it appears prone to reopen.
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Transport to and from the Six Foot Observe in 2025
NOTE: In 2025 the street to Jenolan Caves is closed attributable to a landslide and the Lodge at Jenolan Caves has been closed for renovations. On the time of writing, there has not been a confirmed opening date or transport choices however in the direction of the top of 2025, it appears prone to reopen.
Transport is comparatively straightforward to Jenolan Caves or Katoomba, so go away the automobile at residence and let anyone else do the driving.
Catch the practice to and from Katoomba. From there it is just a brief 3km stroll to Explorer Tree which marks the beginning of the path.
Transport to and from Jenolan Caves is a bit more costly in 2025 with the one choice being hitchhiking or utilizing pre organized hiker transport from CDC Bus.
Like most individuals I caught the practice to Katoomba and had lunch on the town. By 12pm I used to be fed, watered and able to go. What I didn’t depend on was the climate being above 30 levels. Beware, it may possibly get scorching within the Blue Mountains throughout summer time, though more often than not the climate is milder than Sydney.
What Gear to tackle the Six Foot Observe
The Six Foot Observe Blue Mountains is a comparatively straightforward path and for most individuals the they might need to improve a few of their mountaineering gear. I’ve written a number of in depth guides on the most effective light-weight gear which will help in selecting your gear purchases.
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Six Foot Observe Itinerary 2025
Day 1 Six Foot Observe
It was a couple of 3 kilometre stroll from the Prepare station to Explorers Tree, which is the official begin of the observe. I headed alongside Major avenue and the Nice Western Freeway. From the explorers tree the observe heads to Nellie’s Glen and the gully that funnels hikers into the Megalong Valley.
It was fortunately shady and funky, however nonetheless a steep respectable. As soon as on the backside it was a protracted trudge by fireplace trails and farmland to the banks of the Coxs River. Would have been nice to mountain bike this part, with levels of superior singletrail however they’re banned from this space.
On the Coxs River I select to stroll throughout the swing bridge. It was erected to make it straightforward to cross the river throughout floods. Then one other quick stroll of about 20 minutes to the campsite.
Tenting at Cox River
I used to be shocked once I arrived that there was no one else there. It was 5.30pm. For such a well-known, accessible hike I anticipated there to be not less than a few hikers there, and it was a Friday evening so how many individuals may be having a protracted weekend. As I began from Katoomba at 12pm, certainly there was no one else behind me.
About half-hour later a few English lads arrived carrying a really small daypack and a pair of purchasing luggage over every shoulder. Not your common methodology for transporting your gear whereas mountaineering. However they made it. They informed me they left earlier than me however went to the resort a number of kilometres away and came upon they had been a bit of misplaced. That they had a little bit of fun then arrange camp.
The campsite was snug with a alternative of tenting with the resident Cows and Kangaroos close to the river banks or with the resident Cows and Kangaroos on the grass close to the shelter / water tanks / bathroom space.
Complete of 5 hours half-hour strolling for the 18 kilometers for the day, together with relaxation stops.
Day 2 Six Foot Observe
I set of with the intention of constructing it to Alum Creek Reserve campsite earlier than the primary warmth of the day and having a relaxation and stocking up on water for the lengthy push to Black Vary campsite, however I left camp at 8am and it was already warming up quick.
Whereas mountaineering to Alum Creek Reserve Camp I used to be handed by a number of path runners. It seems to be a preferred previous time, operating very lengthy distances by bush trails. They’ve a race alongside the 6 foot observe yearly, the winner completes the marathon distance in 3 hours quarter-hour. Loopy time.
Be aware – The 6 Foot Observe Marathon is held on the second Saturday in March, hikers would possibly need to keep away from mountaineering the path that weekend.
Alum creek campground has a number of riverside campsites with a operating creek which supplies water for consuming. There may be additionally a bathroom on this quieter tenting space. I stuffed up a complete of 4 litres of water which I handled with a Steripen simply to make sure it was drinkable. By 10am it was already 30 levels so I assumed I would wish 4 litres earlier than the campsite which was 12 kilometres to the following water.
From Alum Creek the observe rises and rises with little respite till I reached the highest of the ridge at about 12pm. It was scorching and I had already consumed about 3 liters within the quick time from Alum Creek. I needed to make the remainder of the water final the ultimate flatish part to Black Vary Campsite. After a number of prolonged relaxation stops I reached the campsite at 2.30pm. By this time I had no water left however I used to be very properly hydrated and never involved about having no water.
Black vary Tenting Floor
There have been a number of individuals at Black vary Tenting Floor already. One man began mountaineering in Canberra. He was following the Bicentennial Nationwide Path. I cycled a number of hundred kilometers of that path final yr. There was additionally a pair that arrived half-hour forward of me after tenting at Alum creek the earlier evening, will need to have been shut behind them at some stage on high of the ridge line. After a a number of hour wait the English guys staggered in at about 5pm, each shattered, however grateful to be there.
This campsite is flat and has water, additionally it is fairly near the Jenolan Caves street and will simply be a spot to automobile camp or have buddies meet you whereas mountaineering.
20 Kilometers in 6 hour half-hour, together with relaxation stops.
Day 3 Six Foot Observe
I began mountaineering at 7am. I wished to accomplished the vast majority of the quick 10 kilometer hike from the camp to Jenolan Caves earlier than it obtained too scorching. Apart from the final couple of kilometers or so it was flat or straightforward downhill and I coated the gap very quickly.
By 10am I used to be sitting within the cafe at Jenolan Caves sipping on flavoured milk and a considerably wholesome sandwich. I stayed there for an hour or so simply watching the vacationers go about their holidays. A short while later I heading all the way down to Blue Lake which is on the opposite facet of a giant Pure archway that doubles as the primary street by the realm.
I managed to persuade a number of different considerably skeptical hikers that there was an opportunity of seeing certainly one of Australians most secretive animals, the Platypus. Nicely, positive sufficient the Platypus was there and placing on a present, diving for 1 to 2 minutes at a time looking for meals. ( EDIT: The dam the place the Platypus lives was just lately drained of water, the platypus has moved elsewhere 🙁 ) I didn’t actually maintain out a lot hope of seeing one there, they’re in spite of everything usually nocturnal. Nicely, a fantastic finish to a fantastic 3 days of mountaineering.
I pre-arranged a bus to select me up from the caves.
NOTE: In 2025 the street to Jenolan Caves is closed attributable to a landslide and the Lodge at Jenolan Caves has been closed for renovations. On the time of writing, there has not been a confirmed opening date or transport choices however in the direction of the top of 2025, it appears prone to reopen.
Would I like to recommend this hike?
Positively. It isn’t too troublesome, but exhausting sufficient. Your physique will realize it has been mountaineering for 44 kilometres. Navigation is straightforward, I didn’t use my map as soon as. I did carry my smartphone which had google maps and and PocketEarthPro offline map. It was used to work out how far I used to be from the campsites. I wouldn’t hassle with a GPS for this hike.
Dependable, clear water was at every of the campsites. I carried as much as 4 litres of water for my summer time hike. This was greater than sufficient for me. On a cooler day 2-3 litres could be ample. I did find yourself with blisters. I used to be carrying new footwear. Take my recommendation and put on your new footwear on some shorter hikes earlier than taking an in a single day hike with them.
Have You Hiked the 6 Foot Observe? Was it straightforward? Received a query about mountaineering? Go away me a message within the feedback part under.
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