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.
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).
Wentworth Falls Circuit via Hippocrene & Vera Falls: The Scenery
A rainbow over Wentworth Falls. A very wind affected Wentworth Falls. 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. The upper section of Wentworth Falls.
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!) 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. Sophia at Hippocrene Falls. 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. Sophia in front of Vera Falls. 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. Looking over Vera Falls. Kedumba Walls viewed from the top of Vera Falls. Lush green scenes.
Climbing up the Valley of the Waters. Sylvia Falls Empress Falls. In another of my posts I have a photo of canyoners abseiling down here. Looking back down into the Valley of the Waters. The Jamison Valley with Kedumba Walls and Kings Tableland to the left, and Mt Solitary to the right. 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 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. The wind was often so strong that Wentworth Falls ‘fell’ upwards. A telephoto of Wentworth Falls blowing upwards.
Track Notes
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.
