Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene & Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW

An excellent circuit at Wentworth Falls that takes in numerous waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, including the lesser visited Hippocrene Falls and Vera Falls.

Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW

An excellent circuit walk taking in a less travelled section of the Jamison Valley at Wentworth Falls. There are the usual grand sandstone cliffs the region is famous for, as well as numerous waterfalls of all shapes and sizes. On the day we did this walk the wind was so strong that Wentworth Falls was ‘falling’ upward. (You can see this best in my final three pictures). It’s not a long walk but there is 650m of descent into the valley via Wentworth Falls, and then the ascent back out through the Valley of the Waters (walking clockwise, although it can be done in either direction).

Track notes at the end.

Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene & Vera Falls: The Scenery

Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
A rainbow over Wentworth Falls.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
A very wind affected Wentworth Falls.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
The currently closed National Pass runs along the cliffs opposite and meets up with the Valley of the Waters, which you can see is roughly centre of picture meeting the cliffs next to the edge of the shadow.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
The upper section of Wentworth Falls.

Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW

Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Both upper and lower sections of Wentworth Falls to the left. A few people could see a face in the cliff upper right. A cliff face…(badum tish!)
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
The lower section of Wentworth Falls. Not much water in it as much had blown away in the wind. You can see those photos later.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Sophia at Hippocrene Falls.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Sophia crossing the diminutive Den Fenella Creek. There is a short side trip to the left (as we walked, clockwise) that crosses Jamison Creek and visits a small but nice campsite. If you continue then this is where the route starts to head back upwards, and along the Valley of the Waters Creek, leaving Jamison Creek behind.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Sophia in front of Vera Falls.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Sophia in a burnt out tree that marks the junction with the track to the bottom of Vera Falls. Return to here from the falls to continue up the main track to another side trip to the top of the falls, and then on up the Valley of the Waters Creek to see many other waterfalls.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Looking over Vera Falls.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Kedumba Walls viewed from the top of Vera Falls.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Lush green scenes.

Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW

Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Climbing up the Valley of the Waters.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Sylvia Falls
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Empress Falls. In another of my posts I have a photo of canyoners abseiling down here.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Looking back down into the Valley of the Waters.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
The Jamison Valley with Kedumba Walls and Kings Tableland to the left, and Mt Solitary to the right.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
This view taken from an old lookout that was no longer maintained. It was very windy so I took care taking this photo.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
Wentworth Falls amphitheatre viewed from Princes Rock Lookout. I visited this lookout as a side trip at the end of the walk, however you can stop there as you head off so long as you walk this circuit clockwise.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
The wind was often so strong that Wentworth Falls ‘fell’ upwards.
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains NSW
A telephoto of Wentworth Falls blowing upwards.


Track Notes

Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene and Vera Falls, Blue Mountains
These tracks are signposted so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding your way. We walked clockwise. There’s quite a few options for getting around on the plateau – I’ve marked what I think was my route on the day, basically keeping to the cliff edge on the Overcliff-Undercliff Track for more views. (I’ve marked a more direct route back to the picnic area with a dotted red line: we may actually have taken this, but I really can’t remember).   

We used track notes in Best Bush Walks of the Blue Mountains.  There are also notes in the anti-clockwise direction on Bushwalking NSW. We walked clockwise from the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area at the end of Falls Road. Walking first to the falls, we dropped down into the valley, following the track just a little past one end of the Wentworth Pass, where the route to Hippocrene Falls and Vera Falls is signposted.

In 2019 the track was reasonably well marked with pink tape in a few areas where it was indistinct.  It roughly follows Jamison Creek until shortly after you cross Den Fenella Creek (a small stream), at which point it begins to climb out of the valley along Valley of the Waters Creek. Hippocrene Falls is right next to the track, and both the base and top of Vera Falls can be visited on short side tracks.

From Vera Falls you continue on to pass the other end of the Wentworth Pass, then up further through the Valley of the Waters to Conservation Hut back up on the plateau. We then took the Short Cut Track and part of the Overcliff-Undercliff Track back to the start, and stopped at some lookouts along the way. I also visited Princes Rock Lookout after I finished the walk, but you can do this on the outward leg. There are excellent views of Wentworth Falls from this lookout, and it’s only a short side trip from the main track.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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