Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW

This is one of the classic circuit walks in the Blue Mountains, with great valley views, various attractive waterfalls, tall cliffs, rainforest and moody creeks.

Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW

You can sample some of the best of the upper Blue Mountains on this harder than average circuit walk near Blackheath. You get the usual grand valley and cliff views, but also numerous waterfalls, rainforest, and creek scenery. And you can combine the Rodriguez Pass with the Grand Canyon Circuit (as we did) to make a full and varied day of it.

Track notes at the end.

Rodriguez Pass Circuit: The Scenery

Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
The Grose Valley from Govetts leap Lookout, which is where we started.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Grose Valley panorama from a little below Govetts Leap Lookout, on the Rodriguez Pass.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Govetts Leap
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Govetts Leap (falls) on the right, and further right still, a hanging swamp.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Dropping down the cliff line.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Govetts Leap from below.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
A section of rainforest as we dropped down deeper into the Grose Valley.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Sophia in front of one of many small waterfalls along the Rodriguez Pass.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
A birds nest fern.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Lots of dark and moody sections of creek.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
On the valley floor by this stage.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Very lush in places.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
At Junction Rock, looking up at cliffs lining the Grose Valley.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Cliffs lining the Grose Valley.

Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW

Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
A cascade as we climbed higher up towards the Grand Canyon.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
A cascade on Greaves Creek.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
A very atmospheric spot on the Rodriguez Pass.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Maiden hair Ferns I think.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Beauchamp Falls
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
A cliff near Beauchamp Falls.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Beauchamp Falls
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
An injured yabby that was not very long for this world, but still photogenic.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
You get up close and personal with cliffs on this walk.
Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW
Looking back as we climbed higher up the Rodriguez Pass.

Rodriguez Pass Circuit, Blue Mountains NSW

Track Notes

The NPWS has information on the Rodriguez Pass. Starting at Govetts Leap Lookout on the edge of Blackheath, we dropped steeply down the cliff face into the Grose Valley via the bottom of Govetts Leap itself (apparently the largest single drop waterfall in the Blue Mountains). Continuing on through mostly lush rainforest along Govetts Leap Brook (beware leeches in hot and wet weather!) we eventually reached Junction Rock. From there we set off towards the cliff line again, initially along Govetts Creek, then Greaves Creek, stopping to look at the attractive Beauchamp Falls on the way up (very short side trip – you should hear the falls). About 650 metres ascent and descent.

You can return to Govetts Leap Lookout directly via a small section of the Grand Canyon Circuit to Evans Lookout, then along the Cliff Top Track. But we went the long way around the rest of the Grand Canyon Circuit to make it a full and varied day walk (6-7 hours with lunch and photos). (You can see my pictures of the Grand Canyon Circuit here).

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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