Hanging Rock Blue Mountains: The Walk and The Infamous Jump

Hanging Rock is one of the most iconic landmarks in the Blue Mountains. To find Hanging Rock, you’ll need to follow the Burramoko Ridge Trail, which is also known as the Hanging Rock Walk. The trail leads you to the Baltzer Lookout, where, you’ll then follow an unofficial and unmarked trail to the mesmerising landform. It’s at this point of the walk, that people either enjoy views of the famous landmark from afar or walk out onto it by doing the infamous jump.

In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting the incredible Hanging Rock in the Blue Mountains. This will include details about the walk, the jump and the best photo opportunities. We’ll also cover information about where to park, how to get there using public transport and nearby accommodation options.

What Is Hanging Rock in the Blue Mountains?

Hanging Rock is a well-known natural attraction in the Blue Mountains. Essentially, it’s an enormous sandstone rock formation that has partly split from the cliff face, causing it to precariously hang out into Grose Valley (hence the name). Certainly, it’s an amazing natural phenomenon that’s become a popularly photographed landmark.

So, exactly where in the Blue Mountains is Hanging Rock located?

Where In the Blue Mountains Is Hanging Rock?

Hanging Rock is located near Blackheath in the Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales. To help get your bearings, please click on the image below to access an interactive map of the area on Google Maps.

To reach Hanging Rock, you’ll need to go on a bushwalk! Below, we’ll look at all of the important details about the Hanging Rock Walk.

Hanging Rock Walk: A Boring Bushwalk to An Iconic Landmark

The Hanging Rock Walk takes place on the Burramoko Trail, which is a fire trail (AKA the Burramoko Ridge Fire Trail). Truth be told, the fire trail is notorious for being mundane, uninspiring and tediously long. Indeed, there are no attractions en route until you reach Baltzer Lookout and Hanging Rock.

For most people, it’s really about the destination and not the journey! Of course, if you enjoy exercising in the great outdoors with natural surroundings, the walk to Hanging Rock isn’t really that boring. For many, it’s a calming and peaceful bushwalk before reaching Baltzer Lookout and Hanging Rock.

Below, we’ll look at the trail specs and a map of the Hanging Rock Walk in the Blue Mountains.

FYI – the Hanging Rock Walk is also known as the Hanging Rock Trail, Hanging Rock Hike and the Hanging Rock Walking Trail.

Hanging Rock Walk (Burramoko Ridge Trail) Details

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 11.3km
• Time: 2.5–3 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 265m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Ridgewell Road Parking
• Map: AllTrails

Hanging Rock Walk: Our Experience

Let’s talk about the well-known Hanging Rock Walk. Despite the fairly uninspiring bushwalk, Beck and I can assure you that it’s certainly worth bearing in order to reach Baltzer Lookout and the amazing Hanging Rock.

Burramoko Ridge Trail

The walk starts from a parking area at the end of Ridgewell Road, which isn’t far from the town of Blackheath. You’ll find the parking area is fairly spacious, with enough space for around 20 vehicles. But, it can get rammed on the weekend, so it’s best to arrive nice and early. That way, you’ll also avoid the midday heat, especially if you’re doing the Hanging Rock Walk in summer. Indeed, there isn’t much in the way of shade during the walk!

Technically speaking, the trailhead of the Burramoko Ridge Trail isn’t located at the parking area. The official trailhead is located around 1.5km north of the parking area. But, for all intents and purposes, it’s simply the one trail that you’ll follow from the parking area to Baltzer Lookout. Basically, at around the 1.5km mark, you’ll arrive at a locked gate and official signage for the Burramoko Ridge Trail. From this point, it’s another 3.5km to reach Baltzer Lookout.

During the walk from the parking area to Baltzer Lookout, you’ll experience a gently undulating bushwalk on a well-defined fire trail. The wide trail is surrounded by a dense dry eucalyptus forest and creamy-coloured flowers, especially during spring. Eventually, you’ll reach Baltzer Lookout, which is just around the corner from Hanging Rock!

Baltzer Lookout

Located near the cliff edge of the Burramoko Ridge, Baltzer Lookout provides million dollar views of the magnificent Grose wilderness. In reality, Baltzer Lookout is often underappreciated and overlooked as most people simply just want to find Hanging Rock. But, we highly recommend taking in the awesome views of the Grose Valley from Baltzer Lookout before searching for Hanging Rock.

Truth be told, you can’t actually see the dramatic rocky bluff of Hanging Rock from Baltzer Lookout. As mentioned, from near the Baltzer Lookout, you’ll need to follow an unofficial side trail to Hanging Rock.

Track to Hanging Rock

To see Hanging Rock, you’ll need to venture down a clear but unmarked and rough trail. There is actually a sign around this point that doesn’t prohibit people from going to the Hanging Rock but it warns of the dangers of falling from the cliff. So, caution should be taken as you are near the cliff’s edge.

Essentially, around 20–30 metres or so back from the cliff edge at Baltzer Lookout, you’ll find a descending trail to the left. Keep an eye out for a trail, that seems like a small waist-high trench, leading a safe distance from, but along the ridge. It’s fairly steep and completely unmaintained, so you’ll want to walk down slowly and carefully. The rocks almost make natural steps, but there’s loose rock that makes it slippery. As you descend further, Baltzer Lookout will certainly look more prominent behind you!

Once you descend 50 metres or so, there is another similar path running adjacent to it. For optimal safety, join this path that is even further away from the edge of the ridge. Soon enough, you’ll reach a flat section, still a fair distance away from the ridge. This is where you’ll first set eyes on the magnificent Hanging Rock.

Best Views of Hanging Rock

From the flat terrain, you’ll face the incredible landmark. This area is also known as the Hanging Rock Lookout and is an excellent place to take photos of the Blue Mountains attraction.

Will You Walk Out Onto Hanging Rock?

Of course, those who know about Hanging Rock will very much be aware that it’s possible to walk out onto its sandstone platform.

Essentially, from the flat section, facing opposite Hanging Rock, you can continue to follow the ridgeline to Hanging Rock. There is a moderate-sized gap separating the ridge and this rocky outcrop. This shows the significant instability and the inherent danger in the area. So, if you decide to jump onto Hanging Rock itself, you’re proceeding at your own risk. Definitely, if you do the Hanging Rock jump, do not stand near any edge of the rock itself as it’s innately unstable.

Of course, the locals, emergency and rescue services and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services highly discourage you from walking onto Hanging Rock for obvious reasons. But, the reality of the situation is that many people visit with the sole intention of walking out onto the rock. At the end of the day, that decision is up to you!

Once you’ve enjoyed the stunning natural landform and views from the Baltzer Lookout, it’s time to retrace your steps to complete the Hanging Rock Walk!

How to Get to Hanging Rock Blue Mountains

The quickest and easiest way to get to the Hanging Rock in the Blue Mountains is to drive there. If you don’t have a car, we recommend hiring one for the day or for your Blue Mountains trip. Just so you know, the road leading to the parking area is an unsealed dirt road. But, a low-clearance 2WD vehicle will be fine, as long as you drive slowly and watch out for potholes.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Hanging Rocks, Blue Mountains Parking

In terms of Hanging Rock driving directions and parking, you’ll simply drive to Blackheath and then follow Ridgewell Road to the car park at the end of the road.

How to Get to Hanging Rock Using Public Transport?

Thankfully, it’s also possible to use public transport to get to Hanging Rock in the Blue Mountains. Basically, you’ll want to get a train to Blackheath Station. From there, it’s a 25 minute walk (2km) to the parking area at Ridgewell Road. By doing the walk from Blackheath Station, you’re looking at an approx. 15–16km return walk instead. We recommend using Google Maps and Transport NSW to help plan your journey.

Accommodation in Blackheath

Blackheath is one of the biggest towns in the Blue Mountains and it has plenty of excellent accommodation options. Indeed, if you’re travelling from afar and need somewhere to stay in the Blue Mountains, you should look at accommodation in Blackheath.

Read more: 10 Best Blue Mountains Accommodation With A Spa

What to Pack and Wear

Here are our hiking gear essentials for the Hanging Rock Walk in the Blue Mountains.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

FAQs About Hanging Rock, Blue Mountains

Below, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about Hanging Rock in the Blue Mountains.

How Long Is the Hike to Hanging Rock?

It’s a roughly 11km out and back walk.

Is Hanging Rock Difficult?

The walk to the attraction itself is fairly easy as it’s on a relatively flat trail with gentle undulations along the way.

How Much Elevation Gain Is the Hanging Rock Trail?

Overall, expect around 285 metres of elevation gain over 11km.

How High Is Hanging Rocks in the Blue Mountains?

The rock itself is well over 100 metres tall.

Is the Hanging Rocks Walk Dog Friendly?

No, dogs aren’t allowed in the Blue Mountains National Park.

Read about the best tours in the Blue Mountains

We hope you enjoyed our ​​​​​​​Hanging Rock NSW guide. You may also be interested in our Sydney and other Australia guides.

We acknowledge and respect the First Nations people as the Traditional Custodians of the land/water that we visited and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.