BushwalkBushwalkThere are lots of different ways you can approach your time on the Six Foot Track. You can enjoy it is as as a series of day walks, a weekend hike or Inn-to-Inn walk. If you are so inclined, you may want to challenge Ben Artup’s effort in completing the annual 45km Six Foot Track Marathon in 3 hours and 15mins. We have outlined a few possible time tables here to help you plan your adventure to best suit the needs of your group. The following suggests some possible itineraries but feel free to mix and match them. Always be prepared to change your plans to suit the weather or needs of your groups when on the track.
If you prefer luxury and would rather sleep in a bed each night check out the inn-to-inn options.
Everyone walks at different speeds. The walking times have been calculated in a consistent way and assume that you are fairly fit and carrying a pack. The times give a sense of actual time spent walking, it does not include rest time. Always allow extra time to rest.
The Six Foot Track can be divided into 5 walks; each can be completed in a day walk, some can be combined and still completed in a day.
Katoomba to Megalong Valley
A pleasant walk but with a big hill. Can easily drive to start and end, so best done with a car shuttle or someone picking you up. You can do it as a return walk allowing plenty of time.
Megalong Valley to Coxs River (to Kiangatha Yards)
A very nice walk across farmland and through native forest to the bridge crossing over Coxs River. Due to transport hassle, it is usually easiest to do this as a return walk. If you have the extra time consider staying at the eco-lodge and doing a return overnight walk with a light pack. It can be done one way with a very long car shuttle (requires high clearance 4WD) to access Cox River - or better still consider continuing to Kiangatha Yard for the pick where car access is much easier.
Kiangatha Yards to Alum Creek then to Black Range
This section of the Six Foot Track follows a dirt road the whole way. Car access to both Kiangatha Yard and Black range requires dirt road driving and will be slippery after rain. This section is not the most interesting section of the Six Foot Track on its own, but helpful if you want to complete the track in day walk sections.
Black Range to Jenolan Caves
A lovely walk and a great entrance into Jenolan Valley. Easer car shuttle (with some dirt road driving).
Overnight Hikes
The most popular timetable for the Six Foot Track, is the three day overnight hike. There are two main campsites, one on the Cox River and another on Black Range. There is also a more basic, campsite at Alum Creek (near the halfway mark of the walk). You will also find a road side camping area a short side trip from where the Six Foot Track crosses Megalong Road. Consider your accommodation options before and after the walk, you may want to stay at Jenolan Caves or in Katoomba. There are good options at each end, giving you more time to explore.
Day 1) Explorers Tree to Alum Creek: 21.8km, 8.75hrs
Day 2) Alum Creek to Jenolan Caves: 23km, 9.5hrs
Day two is a big hard day. You will need an early start as well as good track and pack fitness to get to Jenolan Caves before dark (especially in winter), best to plan to stay at Jenolan Caves for the night and enjoy the area more. This option is for fit people used to overnight walking.
Day 1) Explorers Tree to Coxs River: 15km, 6.5 hours Optional luxury – Stay at 6FT Lodge
Day 2) Coxs River to Black Range: 19km, 8.5 hours – all on dirt road, mostly up hill with some very steep sections.
Day 3) Black Range to Jenolan Caves: 10km, 3.5 hours
Day 1) Explorers Tree to Old Ford Reserve: 8.7km, 3.5hrs
Day 2) Old Ford Reserve to Coxs River: 8km, 3.5hrs Optional luxury – Stay at 6FT Lodge
Day 3) Cox River to Alum Creek: 6.1km, 2.5hrs
Day 4) Alum Creek to Black Range: 13 km, 6hrs
Day 5) Black Range to Jenolan: 10km, 3.5hrs
The 12-foot track is the nice name given to the trip that super-fit people do walking the full track then turning around and returning to the start - usually, over 2 days staying in accommodation at Jenolan Caves. In my books it still counts as the 12 foot track if you do it over 6 days.
Most people walk from Katoomba to Jenolan (K2J) but you can walk Jenolan to Katoomba (J2K).
K2J: It seems that Jenolan is a nice place to walk towards and good goal. It does mean that the middle section is mostly up hill which is not a lot of fun. Transport can be organised either way, but getting out of Jenolan is harder then Katoomba, especially if you are late getting in.
J2K: The middle section is mostly downhill, although overall there is more uphill walking this way. The long downhill section is hard on the knees. If you finish late, it can be very dark through Nellies Glen (a torch helps), but the trains run late from Katoomba so getting home after a late finish is still easy enough.
The choice is yours :)