The Great West Walk is a 132km route stretching from Parramatta, in the heart of Sydney, to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. One of the newer additions to Australia’s Great Walks, the Great West Walk was officially opened in October 2019 as far as Penrith, with the trail being extended to Katoomba in 2022. The start and finish points for the Great West Walk are Katoomba Train Station and the Centennial Memorial Fountain, Centenary Square, Parramatta.
The walk traverses a varied landscape of protected Cumberland Plain woodland, local river systems, public parklands and national parks and reserves. The route takes in many iconic trails in the world heritage listed Blue Mountains, a number of fine examples of Australia’s oldest architecture, and some of Western Sydney’s most interesting urban landscapes and waterways.
The trail is a mix of bush tracks, fire trails, local pathways, quiet back streets and busy roadways. The Saint Helena Trail section of the Great West Walk is recommended for experienced hikers only. The route can be a little overgrown in some small sections and special attention should be paid to temporary track closures (especially in the Blue Mountains) and reserve opening and closing times along route. There are toilets, water and resupply options at various points along the length of the trail. More information can be found on the Great West Walk website and the Walking Volunteers website.
https://greatwestwalk.com.au/
https://walkingvolunteers.org.au/
