The Six Foot Track — Blue Mountains to Jenolan Caves

🥾 Escarpments • River Crossings • Limestone Country — A Classic Australian Walk

Few Australian walks are as storied, varied and rewarding as The Six Foot Track. Spanning roughly 44 kilometres between Katoomba and Jenolan Caves, this historic route links high sandstone escarpments with deep river valleys and the remarkable limestone landscapes of the central west.

The Six Foot Track, published by Woodslane Press, is the definitive modern guide to this iconic trail. It’s written for walkers who want more than a GPX line — people who want to understand the land they’re moving through, pace the walk properly, and enjoy the journey rather than endure it.

🌟 Why This Guide Is a Standout

This guide succeeds because it treats the Six Foot Track as a journey, not just a distance:

🥾 End-to-end coverage of the full 44 km — clearly broken into logical stages
📏 Realistic planning information — distances, ascent/descent, grades and time estimates that reflect the terrain
🗺️ Clear, field-ready full-colour maps — readable in poor light, rain or tired moments
📸 High-quality photography throughout — helping you visualise escarpments, river flats and camps
🌿 Landscape, ecology & history woven in — not as footnotes, but as part of the walking experience
⚠️ Practical safety & logistics guidance — water, weather, river crossings and seasonal considerations

It’s the kind of guide that builds confidence before you leave and earns trust once you’re on the track.

🗺️ What You’ll Walk Through

The Six Foot Track packs extraordinary variety into a relatively short distance:

🌄 Katoomba escarpments — the walk begins dramatically, descending from cliff-top viewpoints into deep bushland
🌲 Nellie’s Glen & Megalong Valley — shaded forest, pastoral flats and a sense of openness after the descent
🌊 Coxs River corridor — wide, tranquil waters, riparian forest and the iconic Bowtells Swing Bridge
🏞️ Black Range climbs — steady ascents through dry forest and ridgeline country
🪨 Jenolan limestone country — changing geology and forest structure as you approach the caves

Each section feels distinct, and the guide prepares you for how the terrain and effort shift from day to day.

🌿 More Than a Route: Reading the Track

What elevates this guide beyond basic directions is its attention to meaning and context:

🌱 Ecological notes — transitions from sandstone heath to riverine forest to limestone-influenced woodland
🦘 Wildlife awareness — what you’re likely to see, when, and where
🏛️ Historical background — the track’s origins as a horse route linking Katoomba and Jenolan
📖 Stories & landmarks — camps, bridges and junctions that give the walk its identity

These layers encourage walkers to slow down, look closely and connect, turning the Six Foot Track into a narrative journey rather than a checklist.

🥾 Walking the Six Foot Track — Your Way

While often tackled as a two-day hike, the guide supports multiple approaches:

👣 Single-day challenge — for fit, experienced walkers seeking a long, demanding day
🏕️ Classic two-day walk — the most popular option, with a night near Coxs River
🌄 Relaxed three-day itinerary — allowing time to explore side areas and enjoy camps
🔁 Both directions covered — Katoomba → Jenolan or Jenolan → Katoomba, with notes on how the experience changes

Clear advice on water sources, campsites, transport and timing helps you tailor the walk to your goals and conditions.

🥾 Who the Track Suits

The Six Foot Track is accessible, but not trivial — and the guide reflects that honestly:

⚖️ Moderate to challenging terrain — long descents, river crossings and sustained climbs
🥾 Best suited to walkers with basic bushwalking experience
👨👩👧 Not ideal for young children, but achievable for teens with preparation
📋 Navigation is straightforward, yet attention is required in poor weather or low visibility

The guide is especially valuable for first-time Six Foot Track walkers, helping them avoid common mistakes around pacing and water.

📖 Book Specifications

📘 Title: The Six Foot Track (Updated Edition)
✍️ Author: Matt McClelland
🏛️ Publisher: Woodslane Press
📆 Release: 2023
📄 Format: Paperback
📐 Dimensions: 220 × 130 mm
📄 Pages: 136
📸 Illustrations: Full-colour photography & detailed maps
🔢 ISBN: 9781922800220

Light enough for your pack, robust enough for repeated use.

🎯 Who This Book Is For

🥾 Walkers planning their first Six Foot Track traverse
🌄 Bushwalkers revisiting the route with fresh insight
📸 Landscape photographers drawn to escarpments and river light
🚗 Visitors to the Blue Mountains seeking a classic multi-day walk
🧭 Anyone who values clear, trustworthy field guidance

If you enjoy walks that combine physical effort, history and deep landscape immersion, this guide belongs in your kit.

⭐ A Timeless Walk, Thoughtfully Guided

The Six Foot Track endures because it offers so much in a short distance — big views, quiet valleys, flowing water and a tangible sense of history. The Six Foot Track guide respects that legacy, providing the clarity and confidence needed to walk it well.

From the first steep descent out of Katoomba to the final approach into Jenolan’s limestone country, this is a walk best savoured — and this guide helps you do exactly that.

Add it to your pack and walk one of Australia’s great tracks with confidence, curiosity and care. 🥾🌿