Hanging Rock
Hanging Rock
Some walks make you work hard for their views. Others lull you into a steady rhythm along a wide fire trail, then surprise you with a jaw-dropping vista when you least expect it. On paper, it’s an 11 km return track — wide, easy to follow, and without much variety. In person, it’s a slow build to one of the most dramatic cliff edges the Blue Mountains are known for — this is Hanging Rock.
Quick Details
Length: 11km
Elevation: Around 100m — it’s pretty flat until the end
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Best season: Spring for the wildflowers
Suitable for kids: Yes, but keep them well back from the cliff edges
Starting the Trail
Jess was out on her own this weekend and, with the weather looking fine, decided to hike an old favourite — Burramoko Ridge. We’ve both walked this trail a few times, and it’s one we return to for the incredible views waiting at the end of the 5 km fire trail. If you’re after a shorter trip, this is one of the rare Blue Mountains walks where you can ride a bike most of the way.
Leaving the car, you skirt around a locked gate to join the fire trail. Almost immediately you’ll notice a tall fence with some very large warning signs. If ever there was a time to stick to the path and not stray where you’re not meant to be, this is it.
Fire trails don’t always make for the most interesting hiking terrain, but they do let you cover ground quickly. The first section is fairly shaded, and at this time of year the wattle bushes are just starting to wake up and bloom, colouring the trail in shades of yellow.
You’ll see a signed turn-off to Hat Hill Creek — ignore it and continue along the main trail. Hat Hill Creek itself is beautiful, though it comes with a history similar to the Infinity Pool at Leura. These days it’s been rehabilitated and is looking much better, but that’s a story for another time.
The next section of trail offers little shade, and in summer the pale sandy track seems to reflect the sun back at you, making it feel even hotter. With no cover, the views just keep going — ridge after ridge disappearing into the distance, and if you glance back you might even spot Hat Hill Falls behind you.
Baltzer Lookout
At the end of the fire trail you’re met with one of our favourite lookouts in the Blue Mountains. Cliffs stretch out on either side, the river winds through the valley floor, and off to the left — Hanging Rock. Please remember to take care near the edge. There is no fence or barriers around the cliff edge.
Even if you never set foot on Hanging Rock, Baltzer Lookout alone is worth the walk. The view across the Grose Valley is vast and breathtaking. It’s incredibly beautiful at sunrise and sunset, but honestly, you could sit here for hours at any time of day just watching the valley shift in the light.
The trail hugs the cliff edge, giving you plenty of vantage points as you continue down to Hanging Rock. The view is completely open here, though you’ll likely be sharing it with other hikers or the local wildlife.
Hanging Rock
From Baltzer Lookout, a clear but rocky track drops down to Hanging Rock itself. It’s narrower and steeper than the fire trail, so take your time — this is not somewhere you want to twist an ankle.
Once the ground flattens out again Hanging Rock is just a hop, skip, and quite the jump away… About an 80cm jump by some accounts. Short enough to fill you with confidence but long enough to make you doubt if you’ll make it — and question whether the impact of jumping on the rock will be the final push to send the rock crashing into the valley below… Wanna know the best thing about jumping onto Hanging Rock?
You Don’t Have to Jump onto the Rock!
That’s the thing: you don’t have to jump to Hanging Rock to enjoy it. I’ve never been out there. Jess has — but even she hasn’t gone all the way out to the end. On this visit she met a great couple from Newcastle who were up for a challenge but not up for the gap. They were more than happy to enjoy the spectacle from a safe distance.
Recently there was a rock fall from the escarpment of Carne Wall close to Evans Head a little further down the valley. An estimated 200,000 tons of rock fell into the valley — the iconic sandstone cliffs of the Blue Mountains may be ancient, but they’re still being shaped in the present. Hanging Rock will likely face the same fate one day, disappearing into the valley forever — if you don’t want to risk going down with the ship, then don’t get on board.
Back to the Trail
One of the best views of Hanging Rock isn’t from the slab itself, but from just before the gap — looking across the gap at the Grose Valley, framed between the cliffs of Baltzer Lookout and Hanging Rock. On Jess’ last visit the wildflowers at the edge were starting to bloom making it even better.
Once you’ve taken it all in, the return is straightforward: climb back up to Baltzer Lookout, retrace your steps along Burramoko Ridge, and head back to the car. Spring is a particularly good time for this hike, with native flowers dotting the trail all the way out.
Getting There
From the Great Western Highway turn onto Ridgewell Road, on the western side of Blackheath. Drive as far as you can down the road and park in the cleared car parking area. From here, the road turns into Burramoko Ridge Fire Trail and Hanging Rock can be found at the end of the track, around 5km each way.
Tips and Tricks
There are no fences or barriers around Baltzer Lookout or Hanging Rock. Stay away from cliff edges.
If you take the leap over the gap onto Hanging Rock itself, you do so at your own risk. It is dangerous, particularly on windy days, but the danger of falling, or the rock collapsing is present at all times.
Slip, Slop, Slap. The fire trail is hot and exposed, and we’ve both been caught out by the sun here before.