Dog Friendly Hikes in the Blue Mountains

Dog Friendly Hikes in the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains might be packed with walking tracks, but when you've got four paws coming along for the adventure, your options suddenly get a little smaller. Dogs aren't permitted in national parks, which rules out a huge chunk of the region's best-known hikes.

Fortunately, national parks don't have a monopoly on waterfalls, rainforests, caves and ridiculously good views. Hidden amongst council reserves, state forests and pockets of bushland are some brilliant walks where your dog can come too.

From short rainforest wanders to waterfall loops and proper half-day adventures, here are six of our favourite dog friendly hikes in the Blue Mountains.

Mermaids Cave and Coachwood Glen

If you're looking for somewhere to start, these two short walks near Blackheath give you a surprising amount of adventure without asking for much distance in return.

Mermaids Cave track is only a few hundred metres long, but don't mistake short for boring. The track drops steeply down a long stone staircase between enormous sandstone walls before reaching a deep, fern-filled overhang below. It's cool, green and tucked away from the world above, with enough stairs and uneven ground to make it feel considerably more adventurous than the distance suggests.

Just down the road, Coachwood Glen swaps sandstone for rainforest. This short loop winds beneath tall coachwood trees and tree ferns, crossing a little creek as it disappears through a pocket of cool, damp forest. Do both walks together, then make the short drive to Hargraves Lookout for one of the biggest views in the area. Three completely different Blue Mountains experiences, all without travelling very far.

Terrace Falls Loop

If we had to prove that bringing the dog doesn't mean settling for second-rate hiking, we'd probably start in Lawson and Hazelbrook.

Terrace Falls Loop winds through the bushland below Hazelbrook, following old walking tracks through rainforest, alongside creeks and past a string of waterfalls. Victor Falls, Terrace Falls, Bedford Pool and Pyramid Falls all make an appearance, but some of the best parts are between them — moss-covered rocks, enormous ferns, creek crossings and sections where the track seems to disappear into the forest.

At 4.3km, it's long enough to feel like you've actually been somewhere without taking over the entire day. There are rough and slippery sections, particularly around the creeks and waterfalls, so this isn't one for expecting pristine footpaths and clean paws. It is, however, one of those walks where muddy paws seem like a perfectly reasonable price to pay.

Ida Falls

Set on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, this little walk just outside of Lithgow has enough oddities packed into it to earn its place on the list.

The track follows Farmers Creek through a narrow valley, passing by forgotten infrastructure, over fallen logs and through a tunnel where the creek itself runs across the floor. Depending on recent rain, keeping your feet dry through there can become something of a creative exercise. The track can also be rough and overgrown in places, giving the whole walk a slightly forgotten feel.

At the end, Ida Falls drops down the sandstone into a small pool surrounded by rock and bushland. It's a wonderfully quirky little adventure, and a good choice if you and your dog prefer tracks that feel slightly less polished around the edges. Afterwards, you could head out to Hassans Wall for a great lookout over the Blue Mountains.

Porters Pass to Centennial Glen

For something with a little more substance, Porters Pass to Centennial Glen packs an impressive amount of variety into one walk.

Starting above Blackheath, the track drops beneath sandstone cliffs and winds through gullies, past waterfalls and alongside creeks before eventually climbing its way back out again. There are open views, narrow ledges, rainforest, rocky sections and plenty of ups and downs along the way. It's the sort of trail where the scenery keeps changing just when you think you've worked out what the walk is going to be.

It's also one to choose with your particular dog in mind. There are stairs, creek crossings and rough sections underfoot, and the climb back out will make sure everyone has earned the trip home. For capable dogs and hikers looking for more than a quick wander, though, it's one of the most varied dog friendly hikes in the Blue Mountains.

Minnehaha Falls

Some walks make you work surprisingly hard for their waterfall, Minnehaha Falls is much kinder.

From the reserve at Katoomba, the track heads steadily downhill through open bushland before a series of stairs takes you deeper into the valley. At the bottom, Minnehaha Falls drops over a sandstone cliff into a large swimming hole surrounded by rock walls and bush.

Of course, everything you walked down has to be walked back up again, and those stairs feel considerably less friendly in the opposite direction. Still, for a relatively short walk with a proper waterfall waiting at the bottom, it's an easy one to add to the list when you want to get out with the dog without committing to a half-day hike.

(Thanks to Sebastian for letting us photograph the gorgeous Rufio)

Coxs Cave

Waterfalls tend to steal most of the attention in the Blue Mountains, so for our final walk we're swapping falling water for sandstone caves and big views.

Coxs Cave sits beneath the cliffs at Mount Piddington near Mount Victoria. The walk starts through open bushland before descending around the escarpment to a huge sandstone overhang tucked beneath the cliffs. There are rocky sections and scrambling along the way, and the final access into the upper section of the cave involves a metal ladder — something most dogs are probably going to politely decline.

You don't need to climb the ladder to make the walk worthwhile, and there's plenty to explore around the lower cave and surrounding cliffs. If caves are your thing, nearby Bushrangers Cave is another dog friendly option, with a narrow crevice, rocky scrambling and views across the Kanimbla Valley. There’s even a track between them to make it one longer walk instead of two small ones, giving you plenty to keep both two-legged and four-legged adventurers occupied.

Hiking With Dogs

Being able to bring your dog along doesn't mean every dog friendly trail will suit every dog. Stairs, ladders, creek crossings, hot weather and rough terrain can turn an easy walk for one dog into a very different experience for another.

Before heading out, always check the current rules for the area you're visiting and make sure the walk suits both you and your four-legged hiking companion.

For more on choosing trails, what to pack and keeping your dog safe in the bush, check out our Trail (Tail) Tips & Tricks guide to hiking with dogs.

Now grab the lead and get out there. There are muddy paws waiting to happen.