Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Walk, Blue Mountains NSW

A lesser known but nevertheless spectacular walk in the Upper Blue Mountains near Mt Victoria. There are cliffs galore, views up and down the deep Grose Valley, and other features such as patches of treeless grasslands.

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains

This walk near Mt Victoria offers some of the best views of typical Upper Blue Mountains scenery, but is relatively unknown so you’ll be able to enjoy the serenity without the crowds. The tracks visit some excellent vantage points on the edge of rather precipitous cliffs with views over the spectacular Grose Valley, and there’s also a few patches of treeless grassy plains (the swamps I presume) that make for a nice change of scenery in this heavily forested area. Add to this a handful of rocky outcrops along the way, some interesting trees, and a worthy side trip to visit a small historic mine. All this for less than 10km of flattish walking.  And afterwards we drove down to the end of Victoria Falls Road to check out the lookout there.

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
The views started on the drive in.

Track Notes

Pretty straightforward to do the walk we did. We used notes in the book Blue Mountains Best Bush Walks, and you can buy a digital resource on the walks around Mt Victoria (and all around the Blue Mountains) on the author’s website. There’s also notes on Wildwalks for the route to Thor Head, and to the mine; continue on past the mine turnoff (which is real easy to miss) to reach nearby Asgard Head and more great views. These landmarks can be seen on Google Maps. And on the map below you can see that by continuing along Victoria Road you can visit the lookout there.

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Walk: The Scenery

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Sophia was fascinated with this tree.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
One of the swampy areas.

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
There were a number of rocky outcrops on this walk, which added to the atmosphere.

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Sophia with the Grose Valley behind her. From Thor head.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
The Grose Valley viewed from Thor head.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Looking deeper into the Grose Valley.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
I liked the shape of distant cliffs.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Looking north-westish up an arm of the Grose Valley, viewed from Thor Head.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
The Grose Valley. Quite a few hundred metres deep.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Sophia checking out the view of cliffs on the other side of the Grose Valley.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
A panorama on the way to Thor Head, viewed from where the track passes near the cliff edge.

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Knobbly, mottled bark.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
“Ebony, and ivory….”
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Silvery bark.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
There were various rocky outcrops like those behind Sophia in this picture.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
A bit of zoom to capture Mt Banks at the back there. Taken at Asgard Head.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Nicely textured cliffs.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
A patch of super abundant rainforest in the Grose Valley below Asgard Head.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Me taking pictures. Sophia doesn’t take many, but she did a good job with this one I think. This at Asgard Head.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Walking down to the historic mine with one of only two parties we saw during the walk, despite it being a public holiday weekend. It’s easy to miss the track and in fact they found it for us.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
The mine entrance.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Probably a coking oven at the mine.

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
My wife, Sophia, looking angelic.

We drove down the road to Victoria Falls Lookout to catch the sunset.

Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Sunset at Victoria Falls Lookout.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
Sunset at Victoria Falls Lookout. This is a short drive down the road from the start of the walk.
Asgard Swamp & Thor Head Track, Blue Mountains
A panorama from Victoria Falls Lookout.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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