Walked from the YHA Hostel over to Katoomba Falls and on to Reid’s Point for the magnificent views out south west over the valley to Ruined Castle. We followed the Katoomba Falls Track over and then down to the start of Furber’s Steps.

We continued the Furber’s Steps down to The Federal Pass Walking Track and headed out south west towards Ruined Castle. However, we had taken too long enjoying the views, so it was not going to be possible to reach Ruined Castle and return safely before dark. One has to carefully respect the Australian bush and what you can inadvertantly bump into along the way! Sadly, since we did not have time to go further, we retraced our track via Witches Leap and Vera’s Grotto. We then headed back up towards Furber's Steps. Along the track to The Ruined Castle Walk we were lucky to see two Lyre birds scratching up the undergrowth, not a metre from us.

Again, the GPS trail looks very convoluted due to the fact that in descending the cliff-face track, one switches back and forth in a zig-zag down and down! (Just when you think you should be at the bottom you realise you are only half way down!).

In this area there used to be an old coal mine. It stopped production in 1930. They have reproduced what it would have been like with life-sized manikins of miners and the ponies used. You can also see the rail track which was used to haul the the coal. At a 52 degree incline the rail track is the steepest in the world. It was later used to give the public rides up and down the cliff face but was not currently in use as they are upgrading the rail equipment.

There is also a cable strung from the cliff face near Katoomba Falls Kiosk south west over to Scenic World. A large gondola carries up to 20 people at a time back and forth. We walked back up the walking track leading to the modern Scenic World tourist centre and then on to the head of the old coal mine rail track.

This is a lovely walk with reasonable climb, but truly spectacular views.