Information to Mountain climbing the Six Foot Observe Blue Mountains [2025]

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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 simple however there are nice public transport choices.

Little navigation expertise 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.

Transport to and from the Six Foot Observe in 2025

Transport is comparatively simple to Jenolan Caves or Katoomba, so depart the automobile at dwelling and let any person else do the driving.

Catch the prepare 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 prepare to Katoomba and had lunch on the town. By 12pm I used to be fed, watered and able to go. What I didn’t rely on was the climate being above 30 levels. Beware, it will probably get sizzling within the Blue Mountains throughout summer season, 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 simple path and for most individuals the they might need to improve a few of their mountain climbing gear. I’ve written a number of intensive guides on the perfect light-weight gear that will help in selecting your gear purchases.

Finest Locations to Purchase Out of doors Gear in Australia:
Snowys.com.au | Macpac | WildEarth

Six Foot Observe Itinerary 2025

Day 1 Six Foot Observe

It was a few 3 kilometre stroll from the Practice station to Explorers Tree, which is the official begin of the observe. I headed alongside Important 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 way of hearth trails and farmland to the banks of the Coxs River. Would have been nice to mountain bike this part, with phases 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 simple to cross the river throughout floods. Then one other brief stroll of about 20 minutes to the campsite.

Tenting at Cox River

I used to be stunned after I arrived that there was no person else there. It was 5.30pm. For such a well-known, accessible hike I anticipated there to be at the very least 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, absolutely there was no person else behind me.

About half-hour later a few English lads arrived carrying a really small daypack and a couple of purchasing luggage over every shoulder. Not your common technique for transporting your gear whereas mountain climbing. However they made it. They informed me they left earlier than me however went to the resort a number of kilometres away and discovered they have been a bit misplaced. They’d 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.

Whole 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 mountain climbing to Alum Creek Reserve Camp I used to be handed by a number of path runners. It seems to be a well-liked previous time, operating very lengthy distances by way of 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.

Observe – The 6 Foot Observe Marathon is held on the second Saturday in March, hikers may need to keep away from mountain climbing the path that weekend.

Alum creek campground has a number of riverside campsites with a operating creek which offers water for ingesting. There’s additionally a rest room on this quieter tenting space. I crammed 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 subsequent 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 sizzling and I had already consumed about 3 liters within the brief 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 effectively hydrated and never involved about having no water.

Black vary Tenting Floor

There have been a number of folks at Black vary Tenting Floor already. One man began mountain climbing in Canberra. He was following the Bicentennial Nationwide Path. I cycled a number of hundred kilometers of that path final 12 months. There was additionally a pair that arrived half-hour forward of me after tenting at Alum creek the earlier evening, should have been shut behind them at some stage on prime 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, it’s also fairly near the Jenolan Caves street and will simply be a spot to automobile camp or have buddies meet you whereas mountain climbing.

20 Kilometers in 6 hour half-hour, together with relaxation stops.

Day 3 Six Foot Observe

I began mountain climbing at 7am. I wished to accomplished the vast majority of the brief 10 kilometer hike from the camp to Jenolan Caves earlier than it obtained too sizzling. Excluding the final couple of kilometers or so it was flat or simple downhill and I lined the space 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 big Pure archway that doubles as the primary street by way of 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 any case usually nocturnal. Nicely, an excellent finish to an excellent 3 days of mountain climbing.

I pre-arranged a bus to choose me up from the caves.

Would I like to recommend this hike?

Positively. It isn’t too troublesome, but arduous sufficient. Your physique will comprehend it has been mountain climbing 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 season hike. This was greater than sufficient for me. On a cooler day 2-3 litres can be adequate. I did find yourself with blisters. I used to be sporting 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 simple? Bought a query about mountain climbing? Go away me a message within the feedback part under.

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