Mount Solitary via Kedumba Valley, Blue Mountains NSW
Mount Solitary via Kedumba Valley is a good work out with varied scenery as you descend into the valley then climb to The Col for views.
My first time to climb Mount Solitary from Kings Tableland to the east. Although not quite as good as going via the Golden Stairs and Ruined Castle, variety is welcome, and it was a good workout. You cross Kedumba Creek at a nice spot, and with a good change in elevation there’s lots of variety of forest and vegetation generally.
The fire trail section at the start and end is longish, but there are nice sections of forest, and cliff and valley views. (These were limited by low cloud on the day I did this walk.) Its a proper workout with roughly 1200m+ change in elevation over 15-16km. This may explain why I saw so many trail runners on the route, plus there were people walking from Cleary’s Clearing campsite, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself on a weekend. Track notes at the end.
Mount Solitary via Kedumba Valley: The Scenery
Kedumba Valley Road is an unlikely route down through the cliff line. They had blasted part of the cliffs to get it through. It is pretty much a road to nowhere, except there used to be a farm down there, and I suppose the road might emerge somewhere else useful? Nowadays its locked and you have to walk 3.4km to get to the start of the foot track, but the forest is very nice and there was lots of beautiful birdsong. Scribbly gum.
Forest near Kedumba Creek. I think it was while taking this photo that I picked up a massive leech. I saw it and flicked it off with my boot, but you just don’t know what others might have burrowed somewhere intimate so when I got to drier ground I took off my boots and socks to to check my feet, but also my legs and even my groin, because I’ve had one travel up there before, cheeky bugger. You cross Kedumba Creek at a very nice spot.
The junction (and campsite) before the final climb. Starts to get a bit rocky as you climb towards the cliff line. Passing through the cliffline to The Col. Views and my turnaround point were just a few minutes from here. Mount Solitary Cliffs from The Col. I walked in drizzle, then mist, then under drab cloud cover, but maybe 15 minutes before I got to my turnaround point on Mount Solitary’s cliff line the clouds started clearing. Views as the clouds cleared, although they came and went during the roughly 50 mins I spent up there eating lunch and taking photos. Distant mountains and a glimpse of Lake Burragorang, which supplies about 80% of Sydney’s drinking water according to AI. Looking back at the Kings Tableland, where I had walked from. The start is a little off frame to the left however. Down in Kedumba Valley looking up at cliffs along the Kings Tableland. This was on my way back when the cloud had cleared somewhat. Miscellaneous detail. This boulder looked like a giant fungus. Nice bark colours
Walking back up Kedumba Valley Road with visibility for a while, although the mist closed in at high elevations.
Track Notes
Walk from the locked gate on fire trails until the clearly market turnoff (left) onto a foot track. This takes you all the way across Kedumba Creek and up to Mount Solitary.
The first section is a descent on fire trails for about 3.6km. There is an obvious junction to turn right onto the Sublime Point Trail, then left onto the signposted Mount Solitary Walking Track. This track takes you down to Kedumba Creek, which I crossed without getting wet feet (but not, I imagine, if I’d walked after heavy rain).
There’s then a steady climb to another junction and informal camp site. Continue straight ahead for the steeper climb to The Col and views. If you want to bag the summit then continue up the hill, otherwise this is a good turnaround point. Return the way you came.
The walk is roughly 1200m of change in elevation over 15-16km. It may take 6-7 hours plus time for lunch and photos. For info on the 3-day loop track visit the NPWS site.
