Six Foot Track – Blue Mountains, NSW

The Six Foot Track is one of those classic Australian hikes that seems to grow in reputation with every year. Stretching 45km from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves, it’s a three-day adventure that takes you from the bustle of the Blue Mountains to the quiet of river valleys, across suspension bridges, and up relentless fire trails. It’s a rite of passage for many hikers - and for us, a chance to test father–son friendships in a setting that delivered both beauty and hardship.

Bowtells Bridge

The Walk

We tackled the Six Foot Track in September 2017, setting off with my 12-year-old son, our friends (another father–son pair), and a good dose of nervous excitement. The first day dropped us steeply down the escarpment into the Megalong Valley, where lush farmland and open skies replaced the sandstone cliffs. We made camp at Coxs River, right by the famous Bowtells Suspension Bridge - a wobbly crossing high above the water. It was here we had one of our more hair-raising moments: a large brown snake slithered along the track beside us, keeping pace for a while before slipping off. It was terrifying, but as is often the case, the snake wanted nothing to do with us - a few good thumps of our “Gandalf staffs” on the ground was enough to send it away.

The Megalong valley section is breathtaking

Day two was where things got serious. The climb out of the Megalong is notorious, and for good reason: it’s basically hill corner, hill corner, hill corner, hill corner, hill corner, hill corner, hill corner all the way up the fire trail. Brutal. To add to the challenge, one of our teenage crew had actually broken his arm from a tumble (we only discovered this once he was home), so his dad carried his pack up the endless climb. It was a display of determination that still stands out in my memory. By the time we staggered into Black Range camp, the temperature had dropped to about 5°C. We collapsed into sleeping bags, grateful for warmth and rest.

Natural sculptures in the Megalong

Day three pushed us through forested ridgelines towards Jenolan, legs aching but spirits high. At the time, the Jenolan Caves were open at the track’s end (they’re currently closed), so despite our exhaustion we went straight in to explore the incredible limestone formations. It was a surreal finish - emerging from a punishing trek to wander through cathedral-like chambers beneath the earth.

Strange woodland carving on the way to Jenolan Caves

Family Rites of Passage

What makes the Six Foot Track unforgettable isn’t just the landscape, but the people I shared it with. For my son, and for our friends’ son, this hike was a first big test of grit and endurance. It taught them that sometimes the only way forward is one foot after another, even when your legs scream at you to stop. For us dads, it was about carrying not just the packs but the responsibility - making sure our kids learned resilience, while knowing when to step in and shoulder the load.

These hikes have become our rites of passage, stitching together shared hardship, laughter, and stories that will last a lifetime. The snake encounter, the freezing night at Black Range, the brutal climb out of the Megalong - they’ve all become part of family lore.

Now, with my wife, I’m gearing up to revisit the track - though this time we’ll only be taking on the first two days. It feels like returning to an old challenge with new eyes.

Near the entrance to the caves

Practicalities

• Distance: 45km (3 days)

• Campsites: Coxs River, Black Range, and Jenolan Caves Cottages (if continuing)

• Best time: Autumn and spring - avoid summer heat and mid-winter cold

• Highlights: Bowtells Bridge, the Megalong Valley, Jenolan Caves

• Challenges: The climb out of the Megalong, unpredictable weather, and long fire trail sections

We got there - but unfortunately landslides have shut this tourist destination off in recent years

USOS Backpack Rating: 🎒🎒🎒🎒 (4/5)

The Six Foot Track earns its score for scale, scenery, and sense of achievement. The only reason it doesn’t get full marks is the long grind of the fire trails - brutal on legs and morale.

The road is loooong...

• Distance & duration: 45km, usually 3 days (shorter sections possible)

• Fitness required: Moderate–high - the climb out of the Megalong is no joke

• Campsites: Coxs River and Black Range are free, but basic - carry in everything

• Water: Creek and tank water available, but treat before drinking

• Weather: Can swing from warm to near freezing - be prepared for both

• Wildlife: Snakes are common; make noise and carry a good stick

• Transport: Start/finish logistics require a car shuffle or pre-arranged pickup