The Horse Track is a historic packhorse route offering relatively easy access to the Grose Valley. We’d previously overlooked it, favouring the more spectacular Rodriguez Pass and Govetts Leap Descent routes, however, with both those options now closed we were excited to try a new trail down into the valley. The Horse Track itself had also been closed for many years, but it’s happily open now, though not yet widely advertised as such by the parks service.
The route takes you down to the Grose Valley and from there you have a range of options depending on how far you want to walk and whether you have access to a car shuffle. We chose to walk along the river to a series of plunge pools at Junction Rock.
The Horse Track is pretty, with some lovely mountain views, but it’s the walk through the valley to Junction Rock that is truly glorious, with the crystal clear river and striking blue gums.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Horse Track and exploring this part of the Grose Valley.
The Horse Track to Junction Rock
The stats
Distance: 9.5km return to Junction Rock, inc all swimming holes (Horse Track is 6.4km return)
Elevation gain: 590m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Evans Lookout, Blackheath
Summary: The Horse Track doesn’t have a lot of flat track; it’s basically a descent route down to the valley from Evans Lookout. Whilst the elevation gain is quite significant on the way back up, it’s not as steep as many other routes into the Grose Valley, such as Perrys Lookdown. It’s uphill and has a lot of stairs, but it’s not very steep.
It’s also shady for the most part which is going to make it easier on a hot day. Whilst the trail is open, it’s not completely finished yet, as there are still some steps waiting to go in. Despite this, it’s a good track and I think the steps are probably more to help with erosion than because you truly need them.
There are a few sections of narrow track and one or two minor patches of loose soil, but overall the path is good and neither the descent nor ascent provide any challenges - beyond catching your breath on the way up!
Alternative routes
Whilst we walked to Junction Rock, you could also walk to the Blue Gum Forest at Acacia Flat (4.5km each way from the end of the Horse Track). Then you can either exit via Perrys Lookdown, or return the way you came for a longer hike. This route also passes Junction Rock and would be a beautiful walk.
When the Govetts Descent reopens, you will be able to form a loop, heading down the Horse Track, along the river to Junction Rock and then up the Govetts Descent Track to Govetts Leap Lookout before following the Cliff Top Track to Evans Lookout.
A version of this using the Rodriguez Pass was previously one of the very best walks in the Blue Mountains and one we sorely miss!
Starting the trail at Evans Lookout
The Horse Track branches off the Grand Canyon Track, close to Evans Lookout. If you haven’t been to Evans Lookout for a while you’ll see access has now changed.
You’ll walk along a new smooth wheelchair accessible path which gets you to the lookout after 230m (passing the gorgeous Valley View Lookout 140m in).
From Evans Lookout, head onto the Grand Canyon Track and begin descending on the well maintained stairs. At the 720m mark (470m from the lookout) you’ll come to a junction.
The Grand Canyon Track continues right and is signposted.
The Horse Track is straight on. After 40m you’ll come to a chain across the path and a signpost with several warnings, stating that it is a remote track for experienced bushwalkers only.
I feel like this might be a hangover from when the path wasn’t maintained, as it’s a good track and no more remote than many other trails that don’t have this warning!
The descent along the Horse Track
After passing around the chain, you’ll begin descending again. There are a few stairs and then a short section of gravel path before you hit more stairs which last for quite some time.
After a couple of hundred metres you’ll pass a rockfall sign, stating that you shouldn’t linger in this area. This rockfall zone lasts for 350m and it’s a mix of stairs, both even and uneven, but all are easy to walk on. Just before the rockfall sign you can make a 30m (each way) detour up to an un-signposted lookout. The path is uphill but only takes a minute and the view is well worth it. It’s probably the most sheer drop into the valley we’ve ever seen!
You’ll also get some fabulous views out to the mountains as you descend. At the 1.3km mark you’ll reach the end of the rock fall zone and enter the bushline.
The first time we did this walk the path was predominantly a dirt track, but on a recent return many steps have now gone in.
There are some steeper sections, but also gentler bits before it flattens 450m later. This flat track now winds through the bush and is narrow at points, with a drop, albeit not very sheer to your right.
It’s not scary, but I am mentioning it incase anyone suffers from acute vertigo! This leisurely flat track lasts for a welcome 350m before the descent continues.
Arriving at the river
Though there is more downhill to go, it’s never overly steep. After around 700m the bush gets less dense and the path a little rocky in places.
You’ll continue heading downhill for a few hundred metres more, until the path all but flattens and you’ll hear the sound of cascades much more loudly than you have to this point (3km into walk).
Roughly 100m later you’ll cross the creek - there are rocks to use as stepping stones and it’s two steps and you’re across. It would only be tricky if the creek was very high.
The Horse Track ends 100m later at the signposted junction and this last 100m is flat.
You are now in a spectacular part of the valley. The river is crystal clear and a gorgeous shade of green.
You’re surrounded by endless blue gums and whenever there is a break in the treeline you can see the mountains beyond. It’s just stunning and has a really peaceful feel to it.
Along the river
From the junction you can head left, along the river towards Junction Rock and Acacia Flat. The signpost says Junction Rock is 1km away, though our watch measured it at 1.25km.
The path is in excellent condition and flat for the most part, with just one or two very minor undulations. The river and the blue gums are sensational and occasionally getting to see the looming mountains behind them makes it even more special.
There are a number of plunge pools along the river, but of the ones we tested no proper swimming spots. The first one we visited was 100m from the junction (the end of the Horse Track).
There isn’t really a path down to it, but you can get down to the left of the tree easily enough.
This pool has a rocky bottom and is not overly deep, but the water colour and setting is delightful. It felt like it was straight from the pages of a children’s book, just idyllic.
Once back on the main track we continued for a further 150m and then cut down to the river again. This time you have to walk for a couple of metres along some small rocks before reaching the pool.
This one was small, but deep enough to swim a few strokes.
There is a fine layer of mud on the bottom - not the kind that dislodges and makes the water muddy - but not the kind you want to sit in either. It’s still nice for a very short swim though!
From inside the pool you can see one of the mountains, but we couldn’t capture that angle in photos. The water at both spots is crystal clear and though cold (in April) it wasn’t too cold when you had the full sun on you. In fact it was wonderful!
Exploring Junction Rock
You’re now around 1km from Junction Rock and you’ll follow the path alongside the river through a beautiful forest. It’s easy and serene. You’ll arrive first at a large pool which looks perfect for swimming.
It may be that we visited during a long dry spell, but the water was quite shallow here.
With a bit more water it would be a sublime swimming spot and there’s easy access down to the pool. There are rocks underfoot and a couple of larger ones in the pool itself, so watch out for those if the water level is low.
You’re then just a few metres away from Junction Rock, which is signposted. You can walk left onto the rock platform to see the cascades and then climb up the rock on the left to reach a series of plunge pools.
All the pools are small and none are particularly deep, but they’re very picturesque.
The first couple are surrounded by lots of smooth rock which catch the full sun, so it’s a lovely place to relax between swims.
There are a couple of pools further back into the forest, but these are in the shade and though pretty, don’t have the mountain views.
Heading Back
From Junction Rock you could continue 3km (each way) to Acacia Flat (the Blue Gum Forest) or eventually head up to Govetts Leap when the track reopens.
We simply retraced our steps back to Evans Lookout. You’ll see a sign at the start of the Horse Track that says the ascent will take 2-3 hours.
Again I think this would have been based on a much deteriorated version of the trail. It doesn’t take anything like that now!
We happened to reach Evans Lookout just before sunset and if you’re also there at a similar time, head to the Valley View Lookout.
The path that branches off to the left, just before the main lookout (you can’t miss it) is a fabulous sunset spot. There’s a large smooth rocky outcrop to sit on and you can watch the sun set behind the forest and mountains. It was the perfect end to a great walk in the Grose Valley.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the national park, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
Parking for the Horse Track
The closest car park to the trail is at Evans Lookout. The car park is small and hugely popular, but most people come to the lookout and then leave, so spaces pop up regularly. If you can’t park here, the next closest car park is the Grand Canyon car park.
There are long drop toilets at the Evans Lookout car park, but nowhere along the trail.
The car park is currently free without a time limit, let’s hope it stays that way!
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