Fortress Falls
Fortress Falls
Fortress Falls sits on the edge of the Grose Valley, where the sandstone plateau simply ends and the land drops away without much warning. It’s a place of huge views, exposed ridgelines, and a waterfall that doesn’t announce itself until you’re right on top of it. The falls mark the exit of Fortress Creek as it plunges straight over the cliff edge, spilling into one of the most dramatic sections of the valley below.
Despite its wild setting, Fortress Falls has become one of the Blue Mountains’ most visited locations in recent years. Its proximity to town, combined with a steady stream of social media photos, has drawn more and more people to a place that was never designed for crowds — or complacency.
Quick Details
Total Length: 7.5km
Elevation: 300m
Grade: Hard
Best season: Avoid after recent rain
Suitable for kids: No
Starting the Trail
It was a hot, sunny day, and Jess and Logan decided to head down to Leura to visit Fortress Falls. Neither of them had hiked this one before, so after a quick message to me for some tips they were off.
They started early in the day, but even then, the parking area was completely full by the time they arrived. The popularity of this trail has exploded in the last few years thanks to social media and you’re pretty much guaranteed to be sharing the trail with a lot of people on weekends. “There’s gotta be a hundred people out here” Jess said.
The trail starts on a rough, rocky dirt track — wide at first — leading straight uphill from the gate. Soon enough the track forks, and they head to the right. The track to the left leads out to Fortress Rock and Dr Dark’s Cave — a place that sounds far more impressive by name than it is in reality. If we ever cover that one, I’ll be sending Jess and Logan on their own…
It’s not long before the track narrows and winds gently through the long grass. Uphill, downhill, through trees and shrubs, and back out into the open. It’s a track with a lot of variety in its terrain. But the one constant is that there’s no escape from the sun or wind.
This track can be brutal in summer because even when you’re walking through the trees, the shade is never quite enough to block out the heat. When the weather is colder, the wind rips across the bare hills like it’s racing itself to the cliff tops. Either way, it’s a track that reminds you that nature is always in charge.
As you get further along the trail the cliffs of the Grose Valley begin to appear around you. At first they just peek out beyond the hilltop, and then, further along, they dominate the view. The cliffs over the Grose are some of our favorites. I don’t think we’ve been to a single lookout over that valley and not been stunned by its incredible beauty.
Just before the final hill, where the track ends at the edge of the very cliffs themselves, there’s a small track that branches off to the right. It’s unsigned and easy to miss — I missed it the first time. Although that might have been because I was looking out at the view and not where I was placing my feet.
The track disappears into the grass and over rocks, but it's there. You’ll soon reach a sandstone wall on your left — complete with a warning sign worth paying attention to.
Don’t Risk Your Life For a Photo!
From here on out the track is steep — really steep. It’s also rough and at times difficult to manage. Once you reach the creek at the bottom, you have to climb over large misshapen rocks that can be slippery, even when they’re dry. From there, the waterfall plunges around 100 metres straight down into the valley. The dangers of Fortress Falls should never be underestimated.
Back to the Trail
The track takes you right out to the edge of the cliff and the view from here is just amazing. Especially when it’s a partly cloudy sky and you can see the shadow of the clouds drifting over the valley. The Grose river snakes its way through the centre occasionally glinting in the sunlight.
From here, you’ll be heading downhill. It's incredibly steep, and a fall would most likely result in a broken bone or two. A few new tracks seem to have popped up in the last few years down this hill. So it’s worth paying close attention to where you’re going. Jess and Logan climbed down a short rock wall with a hand line that was in place, but there’s actually an easier track a few metres to the right of that.
Jess and Logan were stopped for directions a few times on the trail. They were more than happy to stop and chat to people and help where they could. They also met a few people who were turning back before reaching the falls because it was too much for them. We always applaud those who can recognise that they're unprepared for something and are willing to turn back.
Fortress Falls
Once you reach the creek you’ll be met with a very large pile of very large boulders — that we presume have fallen from the surrounding cliffs. Remember that they can be slippery, and sometimes the way forward is to go back and try a different way.
Fortress Falls is a popular destination for the iconic view of sitting in a natural infinity pool on the edge of a waterfall overlooking the beautiful Grose Valley. But its beauty doesn’t outweigh the very real dangers of visiting. Slippery rocks, running water, right on the edge of a 100m drop straight down into the valley. It is one of the most frequent sites of rescue operations in the Blue Mountains.
The pools themselves are right near the edge, and are only small. They’re not even the size of a kiddie pool. The first episode of Police Rescue Australia (2023) showed a rescue operation from the top of the falls. A young woman trying to get out of the pool slipped, and smashed her knee cap on the edge of the pool and had to be winched to safety.
With nothing to really hold on to in order to steady yourself, we've wondered before if a rope to help your friends in and out could be considered — just be wary not to get tangled in it, tie it round your waist, and only to help you safely get in and out, not to solely be relied on. You can always take the rope away briefly for a photo, then throw it back to help your friend get out safely.
Behind the falls and jumble of boulders is Fortress Creek Canyon. You can just reach the end of the canyon on foot from where the trail reaches the creek. But please don’t try to wade through upstream.
Canyons are fragile ecosystems, and come with their own dangers. When it rains, flash flooding is common in canyons, which is why it’s not a good idea to visit the falls after recent rain. The more water there is flowing over the falls, the easier it would be for something to go wrong.
The Return Trail
Jess and Logan didn’t spend long at the falls. There were so many people coming in that they chose to pack up and leave early after taking their photos. The track back out is just as steep as the one on the way in. That’s the downside to hiking this trail in the heat — it’s uphill both ways. You’ll definitely be feeling it on the way back up to the ridge, trust us.
The return to the car was made a touch more difficult for Logan, who got leg cramps half-way back — Jess was no help, she was doubled over laughing at him dancing around on the track trying to ease the cramping.
Getting There
The trailhead for Fortress Falls is on the Mount Hay Road in Leura. It’s a dirt road, but is 2wd accessible. There isn’t a lot of room for cars at the trail head, but just look for the first place with about 400 cars crammed between the trees, and that’s where it will be. Please do not park in front of the gate, it needs to remain clear at all times for emergency vehicles.
Tips and Tricks
While the track is mostly obvious, there are several tracks that cross over each other so be sure to have an offline map with you. Also please take any rubbish with you — including your underwear... We found 2 pairs out there...
Please understand that this hike is not as easy as it’s made out to be on social media. The canyon and falls can be dangerous, and proper precautions should be taken. Don’t enter after recent rain. Wear shoes with good grip. Consider taking a rope to help get in and out of any pool. Or better yet, just stand back and enjoy the view. Safety over social media.
Always take an emergency beacon with you. If you don’t have one, you can borrow one for free from the Blackheath NPWS office.
NPWS class this hike as Grade 5 — considering it to be remote, and offtrack navigation experience is recommended and so is completing a trip intention form.
If you'd like to experience Fortress Creek Canyon, or want to learn more about safely visiting places like this, reach out to Blue Mountains Climbing School about arranging a canyoning adventure.
Thank you to Logan for joining Jess on the hike. Sorry about the leg cramps buddy, we won't laugh next time... Promise.