Spring is easily one of the most rewarding times of the year to go hiking. Trails offer glimpses of vivid wildflowers, wildlife becomes more active again, and the weather strikes that sweet spot between summer and winter. If you’re keen to swap the popular coastal hikes for something different, you really can’t go wrong with the Grand Canyon Track. Hidden in the Blue Mountains near Blackheath, the historic trail has been named one of the top spring hikes in NSW by AllTrails, alongside favourites like the Bondi to Coogee Walk and Cape Byron Walking Track. The 6.3km loop descends into a spectacular sandstone canyon filled with waterfalls, creek crossings and dense pockets of rainforest, offering plenty of diverse scenery within a relatively short hike just a stone’s throw from Sydney. It’s also easily accessible by public transport making it the perfect weekend adventure. Here’s everything you need to know about the Grand Canyon Track.
Inside the Grand Canyon Track
The Grand Canyon Track starts near Evans Lookout and descends into the canyon via a series of stone steps. From here, the route follows Greaves Creek winding past dense rainforest, emerald waterfalls, small rock pools, moss-covered sandstone and several creek crossings along the way.
One of the most striking features of the walk is the variety of landscape along the way over a surprisingly short distance. Around the top of the canyon, you’ll find native banksias, mountain devil and golden wattles, while further down, the sheltered conditions support large tree ferns and other rainforest species. Spring also brings more wildlife activity to the area. Lyrebirds are regularly found among the dense vegetation, while yellow-tailed black cockatoos can be heard overhead. Closer to the water, hikers may also spot eastern water dragons around the rocks and freshwater crayfish in the shallow pools.
The Grand Canyon Track has been welcoming walkers since 1907, making it one of the oldest established walking routes in the Blue Mountains. More than a century later, it remains a year-round favourite, but spring is an especially rewarding time to tackle it if you want to avoid the extreme summer heat and crowds. Despite taking hikers directly through a canyon, it doesn’t require specialist canyoning or abseiling equipment. It is still a moderately challenging walk, with plenty of stairs, uneven terrain and semi-ledges before the final climb back towards Evans Lookout.
Read more about the Grand Canyon Track and plan your trip on AllTrails.
Key features
- Where: Blackheath area, Blue Mountains National Park
- Distance: 6.3km loop
- Time: Around 3–4 hours
- Difficulty: Grade 3, moderately challenging
- Start point: Grand Canyon carpark near Blackheath
- Highlights: Waterfalls, creek crossings, rainforest, sandstone canyon and Grose Valley views
- What to bring: Drinking water, sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen, snacks and suitable clothing
- Important: Check the weather and park alerts before setting out. Never enter the canyon before, during or immediately after heavy rain due to the risk of creek flooding.
Getting there
The Grand Canyon Track is around a 1.5-hour drive from Sydney. If driving, follow the Great Western Highway to Blackheath before turning onto Evans Lookout Road, with parking available at the Grand Canyon carpark and Evans Lookout. Direct trains run from Central Station to Blackheath, with the journey taking around two hours. Plan your trip on Transport for NSW.
