Are you looking for a leisurely walk that avoids the crowds but immerses you in the beauty of multiple stunning waterfalls and verdant, tropical rainforest?
Welcome to the Empire Pass Walking Track, also known as North Lawson Waterfall Circuit, where within just 5.1 km you’ll get a chance discover 5 amazing waterfalls:
- Fairy Falls
- Dantes Glen
- St Michaels Falls
- Federica Falls
- Lucy’s Glen (optional)
Much like its southern counterpart (South Lawson 5 Waterfall Circuit Walk) this trail also promises an incredible trek where small efforts lead to big rewards!
How To Get To Empire Pass Walking Track
Getting There By Car:
Before you set off, make sure your GPS is locked onto North Lawson Park.
Here’s a heads-up if you’re using Google Maps: it might trick you by guiding you to a misleading starting point, fooling your GPS into thinking there’s a normal road when it’s actually a fire road.
I made that mistake and we actually started the walk slightly east of the North Lawson Park.
For the correct starting point, program your GPS to the end of St Bernards Dr (click here for Google Maps pin).
Getting There by Public Transport:
You can easily do this walk using public transport. The starting point, North Lawson Park, is just around 900 meters from Lawson Train Station.
Once you get off the train, head towards Loftus Street, and then take a right onto St. Bernards Dr. Keep walking north until you arrive at the park.
North Lawson Circuit Trail Overview
- Distance: 5.1 km circuit
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Total Ascent: 209m
- Difficulty: Moderate
A quick map check shows the first 3 waterfalls are right there at the beginning of the trail, all within 1km walk.
Technically, you could just pop by and wrap up your hike in 45 minutes, but trust me, you’d be missing out if you didn’t do the full loop.
Fairy Falls
The car park up at North Lawson Park is spacious, so no worries about finding a spot. This trail isn’t as crowded as some others in the Blue Mountains – it’s more of a hidden gem loved by locals rather than swarmed by tourists.
At the northern end of the park, you’ll find an information board that marks the starting point of the walk. It’s a handy spot to check out the map and gauge how long it’ll take you to reach all the waterfalls along the trail.
Right after the information board, keep an eye out for a junction in the path. Choose the single track to your right, leading you north, and pass up the fire trail veering east.
Just a short walk of 200 meters brings you to a marked junction. Take the side-trail signposted for Fairy Falls & Echo Point on your right.
Another 100 meters down the path, and you’ll be greeted by the picturesque sight of Fairy Falls.
Fairy Falls might be small, but it has a really unique look. The water trickles over wide, bright orange rock shelves, and the warm colours of the sandstone—mixed with deep greens from the bush—make the spot feel like a hidden gem.
It’s like stepping into a fairy tale, and ‘Fairy Falls’ feels like the perfect name for this picturesque waterfall.
Making Our Way to Dantes Glen
After soaking in the sights of Fairy Falls, you’ll see a trail veering towards Echo Bluff. But, that’s not our route today.
Let’s get back on the main trail and keep an eye out for the sign pointing us towards Dantes Glen, St. Michels Falls & Empire Pass.
Now it’s time to prepare yourself for some steep terrain as you descend into the lush rainforest, but don’t worry—the trail is well-built with sturdy rock steps and railings to guide you down.
Keep pushing forward, because Dantes Glen is just a short 400 meters away from Fairy Falls.
I’ve got to say, Dantes Glen won me over hands down on this entire trek. It’s got this incredible height, along with a big pool of water, all surrounded by thick green ferns and these massive fallen trees that almost look like they’re growing out of the waterfall itself.
The rocks curve into this half-circle shape, almost like a natural amphitheatre, creating this enchanting arena-like atmosphere.
I imagine this place would look even more magical after a period of heavy rain.
St Michaels Falls
St. Michaels Falls is practically around the corner, only 100-150 meters beyond Dantes Glen.
Your path will wind through the lush rainforest beside the creek until you reach a point where you’ll need to cross the creek and take a right turn afterward—it’s all marked with signs, so you won’t miss it.
I’ve come across some stunning photos of this waterfall online, with this incredible, huge pool of water beneath it. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see it like that during our visit, but even so, I still find the waterfall beautiful in its own way.
Plus, the surrounding area has its own special charm.
Along The Empire Pass Walking Track
Once you’ve taken in the beauty of St. Michaels Falls, make your way back down to where you took that detour, and follow the sign directing you onto the Empire Pass Walking Track.
You won’t come across any more waterfalls for a while, as you’re about to dive into the heart of the hike.
Over the next couple of kilometers, you’ll be trekking through the lush rainforest path that runs parallel to the creek, crossing it at various points with stepping stones that can be quite slippery—watch your step, as one wrong move could result in wet shoes or a twisted ankle!
It’s hard to overlook the similarities between certain sections of the Empire Pass Track and the famous Blue Mountains Grand Canyon walk.
At times, the trail winds alongside the creek, surrounded by lush greenery, while in other areas, you’ll find yourself trekking along elevated ledges with a steep drop-off right beside the muddy, slippery path.
As you keep trekking, keep an eye out for a junction ahead. There, you’ll spot a sign directing you to Frederica Falls, which is approximately 1.8 kilometers away. This sign assures you’re on the correct path.
Keep going straight ahead to stay on track, and make sure to steer clear of the rocky steps to your right.
As you move forward, the trail will start to meander away from the creek, leading you in an eastern and then southern direction toward Frederica Falls.
This portion of the trail is likely to be the most strenuous, with a continuous and gradual uphill climb.
Right before the track turns southward, you’ll have the option to explore Lucy’s Glen nearby, although we didn’t opt to do so during our walk, as the trail leading there is quite rough.
Frederica Falls
After hiking around 3.2 kilometers along the trail, you’ll stumble upon Frederica Falls. Given the uphill trek, this is an ideal spot to take a short breather.
That’s exactly what we did—found a few comfy rocks offering a nice view of the falls in the background.
While you can’t get too close to the waterfall because of the sizable pool of water around it, the pool itself offers a tempting opportunity for a swim if you’re up for it.
Along North Lawson Trail
After taking a moment to recharge at Frederica Falls, it’s time to gear up for more climbing.
For the last 2km of the trail, you’ll be walking along the North Lawson Trail. While it does offer some scenic spots, it’s probably the least thrilling part of the trek compared to what you’ve experienced so far.
Navigation on this trail is relatively easy. Initially, you’ll head north, then the trail will make a 180-degree turn southward. Once you’re on your way in the southern direction, be sure to follow the signs to Dantes Glen & Fairy Falls.
If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s an option to head south along the Frederica Falls Track, which could be more exciting.
However, from a quick glance, it seemed quite overgrown, and finding your way back to the North Lawson Park car park from the bottom of this trail might pose a challenge.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this hike, particularly during the initial segment when we came across 3 incredible waterfalls.
Walking along the Empire Pass Track was also enjoyable, but if I had the chance to do it again, I might consider turning right at the junction marked 1.8km to Frederica Falls and head towards Echo Bluff.
It seems like a better choice to avoid that strenuous uphill climb on the final fire trail.
What made the experience even better was that from the moment we left St. Michaels Falls and began our trek along Empire Pass Walking Track (and it was a on a weekend), we didn’t come across a single person on the trail, right up until the end of our walk.
This is a perfect trail for those who relish solitude and quietness during their hikes.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How long does the trail take?
- 2-3 hours
What about signage and trail quality?
- There are numerous trail signs along the way
How difficult is the trail?
- Moderate (my guess is that it will be hard on a wet day or after the rain)
What should I wear?
- Wear good hiking shoes or boots, as it can get wet and muddy. Waterproof shoes are a good idea. Long pants and sturdy hiking socks are also recommend, especially if you are planning to visit Lucy’s Glen.
What essentials should I carry?
- Carry water, sunscreen, a hat, snacks, and insect repellent
Is it the trail child-friendly?
- Yes, but keep in mind it’s steep and slippery at times
Is the trail wheelchair accessible?
- Unfortunately, the trail is not wheelchair accessible
Can I swim on the trail?
- Frederica Falls offers a swimming opportunity
When is the best time to visit?
- After rain, if you don’t mind getting mud on your shoes
Is there phone service?
- Limited
Can I bring my dog?
- Dogs (on leash) are allowed on this trail
