A gorge below the familiar Blue Mountains rim
The Grand Canyon track begins at its dedicated car park off Evans Lookout Road near Blackheath. NSW Parks lists a 6.3-kilometre loop taking three to four hours, graded three. The historic walking route has been used since 1907. Route source
Its interest lies in the change of environment. Woodland with banksias and mountain devil gives way to a sheltered gorge of ferns, rainforest and flowing water. A walk that begins on an exposed sandstone plateau becomes an enclosed journey beside Greaves Creek.
Follow the creek through the lower world
Waterfalls and rock ledges give the gorge a succession of smaller scenes. The formed walking track lets visitors move through that environment without using the technical canyon route. The vegetation, water and shade deserve time of their own rather than serving only as the valley floor before the next climb. Route source
The return toward Evans lookout brings an ascent through another shift in plants, including golden wattle in the official description. The loop’s attraction is that complete descent and re-emergence, not a level stroll along a creek.
Grand Canyon walk and technical canyon are different activities
The named walking loop requires no abseiling. A separate technical Grand Canyon activity involves swimming, scrambling and a twenty-metre abseil. The shared name can conceal a very large difference in skill and equipment; use the official walking-track description for this outing. Route source
The creek setting also means heavy rain is a route-specific issue. NSW Parks says not to enter before, during or after heavy rain because of flash flooding. A narrow gorge does not inherit the conditions visible from the dry car park above. Route source
Finish with the Grose Valley view
Evans lookout faces the sandstone walls of the Grose Valley. Its separate accessible lookout approach allows a visitor to enjoy that view without completing the canyon descent. Grand Canyon walkers should use the parking and route designated for the circuit rather than assuming the lookout visit and full walk are identical. Route source
Check current NPWS alerts before travelling; creek conditions, maintenance and access can change whether the full circuit is available.
Sources & further reading
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