Echo Point to Scenic Railway via the Giant Staircase

Kicking off at the world famous Three Sisters lookout at Echo Point, this is not a long walk by any stretch of the imagination. However, with a 900-step staircase to climb down and a breathtaking ride on the the world’s steepest railway, this short walk is great fun.

From Echo Point head past the visitors centre towards the Three Sisters, and follow the path for about 500 metres to the Three Sisters Bridge and the top of the Giant Staircase. This steep series of steel steps (with handrails) is worth taking slowly, partly because it’s hard work (did we mention 900 steps?) but also for the periodic lookouts set into the cliff.

At the base of the staircase the track joins the Dardanelles Walking Track, which follows the line of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk (on the plateau above) across the valley floor. The track, of leaf-covered gravel, wanders through the forest, under the Three Sisters and on to Katoomba Falls. The falls are stunning, the perfect place to take a seat on a river boulder and listen the sounds of the Blue Mountains.

From Katoomba Falls keep following the track to Furber Steps and the Scenic Railway. The railway is fantastic fun, a rattling ascent up the valley walls through lush ferns. It costs about $10 per adult, $5 for kids and runs most days. Find out more at the Katoomba Scenic Railway site.

From the top of the railway, at the imaginatively named Scenic World, you can catch a bus back to Katoomba Railway Station and Echo Point. Or, if you feel like a gentle stroll back to Echo Point, the Prince Henry Cliff walk takes about an hour and is quite easy.

Walking Trail Map

(Start at red marker)