Ruined Castle Walking Track
Down the Golden Stairs and along an old miners' track to a rock outcrop with a 360-degree view of the Jamison Valley.
- Distance6.6km return
- Time4 - 5hrs
- DifficultyGrade 4 of 5
- Nearest townKatoomba
About this walk
The walk descends the steep Golden Stairs off Narrow Neck, then follows the Federal Pass through rainforest along the route of a 19th-century shale tramway. A final scramble puts you on top of the Ruined Castle boulders, with Mount Solitary on one side and the Katoomba cliffs on the other.
Route map
Mapped length 2.8 km. Route line from OpenStreetMap; distance and grade in the summary are the official NPWS figures where available.
Take this map offline
Phone reception drops out across most of the Mountains. Save the route before you leave town.
GPX opens in Gaia GPS, AllTrails, Organic Maps, Garmin and most navigation apps and shows your live position on the route with no signal. How to use offline maps.How to get there
From Katoomba, follow Cliff Drive west and turn onto Glenraphael Drive (unsealed) along Narrow Neck. The Golden Stairs carpark is about 1.5 km along.
Parking: Small roadside carpark at the top of the Golden Stairs on Glenraphael Drive. The road is rough but normally fine for 2WD.
Good to know
- The climb back up the Golden Stairs is the hard part - save energy and water for it.
- The final scramble onto the rocks is optional and exposed.
Common questions
How long is Ruined Castle Walking Track?
Ruined Castle Walking Track is 6.6km return and takes about 4 - 5hrs.
How hard is Ruined Castle Walking Track?
It is rated Grade 4 on the Australian Walking Track Grading System: bushwalking experience recommended: long, rough or very steep sections.
Where does Ruined Castle Walking Track start?
From Katoomba, follow Cliff Drive west and turn onto Glenraphael Drive (unsealed) along Narrow Neck. The Golden Stairs carpark is about 1.5 km along. GPS: -33.73442, 150.28238.
Where do I park for Ruined Castle Walking Track?
Small roadside carpark at the top of the Golden Stairs on Glenraphael Drive. The road is rough but normally fine for 2WD.
Can I take my dog to Ruined Castle Walking Track?
No. Dogs and other pets are not permitted in NSW national parks, including on leads or in vehicles.
Is there phone reception at Ruined Castle Walking Track?
Do not rely on it. Download the GPX file or save this page offline before you leave Katoomba.
Sources: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (distance, time, grade, coordinates); OpenStreetMap contributors (route line). Last checked Friday 13 November 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.