River Walk (Blue Lake)

(0km) Grand Arch East → Blue Lake Access

110 m
5 mins
10m
-52m

Easy track

From the eastern side of the Grand Arch, the walk heads over the road to the right of the bridge and the lake behind. The walk then tends left around the lake for approximately 40m to an intersection marked by a ‘No swimming fishing or throwing stones’ sign.

Blue Lake

Blue Lake, or Lake Jenolan, is a small lake on the eastern side of the Grand Arch. The lake is fed by the River Styx and the Jenolan River. Blue Lake’s intense colour comes from the refraction of light through limestone sediments.

(0.11km) Blue Lake Access → Jenolan Hydroelectric Station

1.1 km
27 mins
40m
-114m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the railing around the hillside, with the water to the left. The path passes a large weir on the left and continues past some old piping (which is sign marked). The track continues around the hill for approximately 50m to the unsignposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk rounds the hillside and down a suspended bridge. The walk winds to the bottom of a waterfall and continues above the creek (on the left) for a short time. The track then turns right, following the hillside around to comes to a bridge. The walk passes over the bridge then winds further around the hillside and banks of the creek to the old Jenolan Hydroelectric Power Station and picnic area.

Jenolan Caves Hydroelectric Power Station

Jenolan Cave Hydroelectric Power Station was originally a Leffel Wheel, built in 1889 on the Jenolan River. The building has a glass front with a light switch to show the large machinery which was once used to power Jenolan. Near the hydroelectric building, there is a nice picnic area by the weir.

(1.26km) Jenolan Hydroelectric Station → Int. above bridge

1 km
25 mins
106m
-37m

Moderate track

Turn around: From Jenolan Caves Hydroelectric Power Station, this walk heads through the picnic area, with the creek below on the left. The track winds around the hillside and banks of the creek, then passes over a bridge. The track winds along the creek a little more before turning left around the hillside, following the left bank of the creek for approximately 300m to the bottom of a waterfall. The track then zigzags up the suspended bridge to round the hillside to an intersection above a bridge.

(2.31km) Int. above bridge → Grand Arch East

260 m
11 mins
60m
-13m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down to the creek bed and over the bridge to the other side of the creek. The walk then heads around and up the hillside for a little while, passing old pipes, the weir and some seats on the left. The track leads to the right, under a bridge, and heads up some stairs, then follows the railed track to the road before the Grand Arch.

De Burghs Bridge

The bridge spanning out from the Grand Arch was designed by Mr Ernest M. De Burgh, and built by the Public Works Department in 1896. The bridge allowed greater access to the caves and was built from locally cut limestone.

Maps for the River Walk (Blue Lake) walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Six Foot Track	1:50 000 Map Series	Six Foot Track	NSW-six-foot-track
Jenolan	1:25 000 Map Series	89303N JENOLAN	NSW-89303N
Katoomba	1:100 000 Map Series	8930 KATOOMBA	8930

Cross sectional view of the River Walk (Blue Lake) bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the River Walk (Blue Lake)

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	2.6 km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 2.5km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 110m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 2.6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 2.6km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 2.6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 2.3km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 260m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The River Walk (Blue Lake) walk starts and ends at the Grand Arch East (gps: -33.819113, 150.02388)
Your main transport option to Grand Arch East is by;

Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

Fire Danger

Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

River Walk (Blue Lake)

(0km) Grand Arch East → Blue Lake Access

Easy track

Blue Lake

(0.11km) Blue Lake Access → Jenolan Hydroelectric Station

Moderate track

Jenolan Caves Hydroelectric Power Station

(1.26km) Jenolan Hydroelectric Station → Int. above bridge

Moderate track

(2.31km) Int. above bridge → Grand Arch East

Moderate track

De Burghs Bridge

Maps for the River Walk (Blue Lake) walk

Cross sectional view of the River Walk (Blue Lake) bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the River Walk (Blue Lake)

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Some more details of this walks Grading

Gradient

Quality of track

Signs

Experience Required

weather

Infrastructure

Similar walks

Other Nearby walks

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

Fire Danger

Weather Forest

Park Information & Alerts

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