The Blue Mountains are a walkers paradise and as luck would have it, you can access some of the most beautiful spots without breaking too much of a sweat. Whether you’re looking for a waterfall swim, epic view, hidden rock arch, or even an amazing glow worm adventure, we have you covered in this list.
It’s rare to find a flat walk in the mountains, so easy in this context means good track conditions without too many stairs!
Having walked over 100 trails in the Blue Mountains we can guarantee you these really are the best easy walks to be found there.
Easy Walks in the Blue Mountains
1. Butterbox Point Circuit
Distance: 3km
Elevation gain: 94m
Area: Leura
With jaw-dropping views almost every step of the way, the Butterbox Point Track has one of the best effort vs reward ratios in the mountains.
Surprisingly, it’s also very quiet making it all the more special as you rarely have to share those spectacular views with anyone else.
The track conditions are generally very good and the elevation gain is minimal. In fact the path is so good, it makes for a wonderful sunset walk.
Though there are little off shoots which involve scrambling, you don’t need to leave the maintained trail to see the very best vistas.
More details on the walk can be found in this guide.
2. Minnehaha Falls
Distance: 2.5km return
Elevation: 94m
Area: Katoomba
Though the start of the walk is not the most exciting, it doesn’t take long to reach the stunning sandstone cliffs that mark the descent to the bottom of Minnehaha Falls.
The waterfall is one of the prettiest in the Blue Mountains and the dazzling emerald pool is the perfect place to cool off on a hot day.
Though the trail is in good shape, there is a notable downhill section and a couple of steep staircases you need to negotiate to reach the waterfall, the stairs have good sturdy hand rails to help with stability.
You can read more about the walk and swimming hole in this detailed guide.
3. The Glow Worm Tunnel
Distance: 2.8km return
Elevation: 50m
Area: Newnes (closest town is Lithgow)
The Glow Worm Tunnel is magical. There’s no two ways about it. The 400m long abandoned railway tunnel contains thousands of glow worms which glow like constellations in its deep dark depths.
The tunnel environment is a rare opportunity to see glow worms during the day time and the walk is almost entirely flat. It’s suitable for anyone who can manage a couple of staircases.
It’s also a really pretty walk with gorgeous forest surrounding you the whole way.
The recently upgraded track means that you no longer walk over the muddy railway sleepers, there is now a smooth concrete path - less wild - but certainly easier.
Pass through the tunnel and you’ll find a little tree fern wonderland on the other side, so be sure to check it out before heading back.
You can read more in our detailed Glow Worm Tunnel guide.
4. Castle Head
Distance: 4.4km return
Elevation: 150m
Area: Katoomba
Castle Head is a short, easy walk with a big pay off. It’s not that well known, despite being located in Katoomba, which means that you often get those truly sensational viewpoints all to yourself.
There are a couple of fabulous lookouts, with the final one offering a panoramic view where you feel totally immersed in the scene.
It’s a magical spot and particularly photogenic at sunrise and sunset.
Don’t be deterred by the signposts that say the trail is difficult - it’s not. But perhaps the difficulty rating is helpful in keeping it extra quiet!
There are some ups and downs and one or two very short sections on a less well formed track, but if you take your time, it’s ok and believe me the views are worth it.
You can read more detailed notes on the walk in our Castle Head guide.
5. The Overcliff Undercliff Walk
Distance: 4.7km circuit (including side trails)
Elevation: 188m
Area: Wentworth Falls
If you’re looking for a gorgeous walk in Wentworth Falls, but don’t want to take on the more strenuous passes with their significant ascents and descents, then the Overcliff Undercliff Track is the perfect choice.
You’ll walk underneath giant overhangs hugging the cliffside, with incredible views for much of the way.
There is also a short side trail to a pretty little rainforest gully and cascades. Although there are a fair number of staircases to climb, much of the track is flat and it’s very well maintained.
You can read more in our detailed guide.
6. South Lawson Waterfall Circuit
Distance: 2.8km (3.8km inc every side trail)
Elevation: 160m
Area: Lawson
The magic of this track is only revealed after recent rainfall, if it’s been dry for a while the falls reduce to a trickle and I would save this walk for another day.
However, after rain not only do the falls roar and become some of the best in the Blue Mountains, all the bushland is brought to life too.
Cascades rush along much of the track and there’s a photo opportunity around every corner.
It completely transforms the walk which goes from being an average track (for the mountains) in our eyes, to one of the best short walks in the area.
If the rainfall has been very heavy it gets muddy, so there is a trade off in that and as this is a council track rather than a national parks track, it is generally less well maintained.
You’ll have some stairs to climb up and down, but no long climbs or descents. You can read more in our South Lawson Waterfall Circuit guide.
7. Katoomba Night Walk
Distance: 1.5km return
Elevation: 43m
Area: Katoomba
The Katoomba Night Walk offers the unique opportunity to check out some of the most iconic waterfalls and rock formations in the area after dark.
It’s incredibly atmospheric to stroll along the forest pathways with small twinkling lights, and if you’re lucky, a gorgeous starry sky overhead too.
It’s an easy walk which is mainly paved and only has a couple of staircases to climb.
The track is illuminated until 10.30pm each evening and there are many benches along the way if you want to sit and take it all in.
You can read more in our Katoomba Night Walk guide.
8. Dargan Arch
Distance: 1.5km return
Elevation: 100m
Area: Bells Line of Road
Dargan Arch is a picturesque natural sandstone arch tucked away in a lesser visited part of the Blue Mountains. It’s the result of a long collapsed cave and it’s a fun and unusual spot to explore.
It tends to see few visitors, so it’s likely you’ll get the whole thing to yourself.
You can walk over the top of the arch and scramble down to view it from underneath. If you only want to view the arch from above (or walk over it) there is no scrambling involved.
There is a bit of a hill to climb on the way back up, but it’s a fire trail, so conditions underfoot are good and it only takes around 15 minutes.
The path is not signposted, so for detailed directions check out our Dargan Arch guide.
9. Leura Cascades
Distance: 1.1km return to the end of the cascades walk (2km return to Weeping Rock)
Elevation gain: 60m
Area: Leura
The genteel Leura Cascades are gorgeous and a much loved short walk in the mountains. You do need recent rain for the falls to be flowing nicely and their soothing sound provides a calming backdrop to the walk. The cascade trail ends at a beautiful view over the Jamison Valley.
The path is in good condition, though large puddles form after heavy rain.
If you want to make the trail more adventurous and you don’t mind climbing quite a few (well maintained) staircases on the way back, you can descend deeper into the rainforest, right to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. This makes the walk much more special, but the trade off is those stairs on the way back up!
You can read more in our Leura Cascades guide.
10. Lockleys Pylon
Distance: 7.2km return
Elevation: 176m
Area: Leura
When you want a longer walk that’s still relatively easy and has incredible views, Lockleys Pylon is a great choice.
It’s in a quieter part of the national park and tends to see a lot more local visitors than it does tourists. You’re likely to get huge swathes of the track all to yourself. While the beginning of the walk is not going to blow you away, the last kilometre is simply spectacular.
The track undulates much of the way, but there are no long steep climbs and the path is well maintained.
You can read more in our Lockleys Pylon guide.
11. Horseshoe Falls
Distance: 1.4km return (but can be extended to visit other falls)
Elevation gain: 55m
Area: Hazelbrook
Horseshoe Falls is a captivating waterfall that flows over a fern covered overhang creating a grotto-like vibe. You can walk all the way behind the falls to view the curtain of water from behind.
It’s a stunning sight, especially after some good rainfall, although that’s also when it gets a little muddy.
The walk is mainly downhill on the way and there are one or two rougher steps where care should be taken, but overall it’s not too challenging and it only takes around 10-15 minutes to reach the waterfall.
If you have the time and a little more energy it is well worth continuing for another 450m to Oakland Falls and 550m beyond Oakland to Burgess Falls. There are a couple of other smaller waterfalls too, but these are the most beautiful.
If you return to Horseshoe Falls after nightfall you’ll be treated to a magical spectacle. The overhang behind the falls is illuminated by the twinkling blue lights of hundreds of glow worms, a true delight to behold.
You can read more in our guide to Horseshoe Falls.
12. Katoomba Round Walk
Distance: 3km (including all side trails)
Elevation: 137m
Area: Katoomba
The Katoomba Round Walk offers the easiest and loftiest views of Katoomba Falls as it cascades down a huge cliffside over multiple levels.
As well as stunning views of the waterfall, you’ll also get some extraordinary vistas across the Jamison Valley, including over the famous Three Sisters rock formation.
As you head towards the bottom of the upper falls you can enjoy lush rainforest, and if you’re really lucky and there has been plenty of recent rain, the atmospheric Witches Leap Waterfall.
It does cover some of the same ground as the Katoomba Night Walk, but the views are so good that it’s well worth seeing them by day and by night.
There are stairs throughout the track, but it’s not too arduous and the trail conditions are good and hold up fairly well after wet weather, which is when this walk it at its best. There are also long stretches of flat track inbetween.
You can read more in our Katoomba Falls guide.
13. Charles Darwin Walk
Distance: 2.7km return
Elevation: 40m
Area: Wentworth Falls
The Charles Darwin Walk doesn’t have the big views or spectacular waterfalls of other tracks on this list, but when you're looking for an easy stroll with excellent trail conditions, it fits the bill perfectly. And that’s not to say the scenery isn’t beautiful, it is, it’s just not dramatic or wow-y.
The well maintained path meanders through pretty bushland and beside the crystal clear creek with its small cascades and pools.
There are a few stairs here and there, but the majority of the walk is flat, it’s also dog friendly if you’re planning a trip with your pup.
For more dog friendly walks in the mountains, we have you covered in this guide.
14. Ikara Head
Distance: 5.6km
Elevation: 160m
Area: Mount Victoria
Ikara Head offers a dramatic view over the Grose Valley. The wide flat ledge would make for a fabulous picnic spot or simply somewhere to sit and admire the grandeur of the mountains.
The drop off is sheer and you feel close to the mountains in a way that is very immersive. It’s the kind of view that invites you to sit and while away time in perfect solitude, because, despite its beauty, Ikara Head is a rarely walked track.
The path is flat for the majority of the way and the trail conditions are very good, making it a leisurely walk where you don’t need to worry about watching your footing. It’s highly underrated and lovers of big views and serene settings will not be disappointed.
You can read more in our Ikara Head guide.
A rare pink flannel flower superbloom at Ikara Head
15. Dry Canyon
Distance: 3.4km return
Elevation: 60m
Area: Newnes (closest town is Lithgow)
I was in two minds whether to include this walk because it does have two minor scrambles, but I do think most people will be fine with it, even if you need a helping hand. And it’s oh so worth it because when it comes to jaw-dropping scenery, Dry Canyon is very hard to beat.
Wandering between the towering walls of the narrow slot canyon feels like entering another world. This is not only the easiest canyon to access in the Blue Mountains, it’s also one of the most picturesque.
A wild place that’s guaranteed to leave you spellbound, and may just spark the start of a love affair with the Blue Mountains canyons!
Detailed directions can be found in our Dry Canyon guide.
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The ultimate list of walks you have to do in Blue Mountains. We’ll take you through all the 21 best trails by area, including some easy Blue Mountains hikes, some moderate walks and those that are more of a challenge.