Hanging Rock and Baltzer Lookout, Blackhealth

We were visiting the Hanging Rock and Baltzer Lookout today, somewhere I wanted to go for a while now, and it didn't disappoint.


We started the walk from Blackheath train station and headed north to Burramoko fire trail on Ridgewell Road. Most of the walk was on this fire trail, which was very open and easy to walk on.


There were slight ascends and descends, but people with general fitness should have no problem on this walk. The fire trail may become a bit boring and the walk will feel a bit lengthy as there were not much changes in the landscape. There were a few spots where you can peak and look out into the mountains and cliff faces in the distance, however most of these spots were closer to the end of the walk.



I didn't mind the fire trail, and once you get to see the wonderful views from Baltzer lookout and the Hanging Rock you will soon forget the boring fire trail that you had just been on.

Once we got closer to the end, there was a sign warning us of the cliff edge in a few different languages.


The track narrowed and became more rough as we climbed upwards and walked till the end of the cliff. The whole area opened up and the view was amazing. You can see a long way into the distance, down the Gross Valley, and cliff faces on the opposite side of the lookout.








We started to take photos of the beautiful view, trying not to stand too close to the edge as off the cliff edge is pretty much a direct drop of few hundred metres to the bottom valley. For someone who is terrified of heights, my legs started to turn into jelly while standing at the lookout. Not long after picture time, I was wondering..... this is the edge of the cliff, where is Hanging Rock?

We walked further along the edges of the cliff, very slowly and carefully, really didn't want my name to end up on the news page from a slip and fall down that cliff. We got to the end of the lookout and you could see the Hanging Rock down the left hand side.




The track then descend steeply down to the Hanging Rock, a huge overhanging sandstone over 100m high. There is about a roughly 80cm gap to get on the rock itself. With short legs like mine, I didn't want to risk the small possibility of slipping and falling. There is a ZERO surviving chance if I do fall.









We then continue the walk along the ridges to the end of the cliff where you can see the other side of Hanging Rock. The view was not as great but still very scenic.












After spending a lot of time absorbing and enjoying the magnificent views, we headed the same way back to Blackheath train station. This is where you are reminded of the boring fire trail that you walked on to get there. Oh well...... just another 7km to get back.

Despite the long fire trail, I highly recommend this visit to the Hanging Rock and Baltzer lookout.

Total distance: 15km
Climb: 540m
Difficulty: Medium

Go to the link below for information and map for this walk.
http://beyondtracks.com/walks/blue-mountains-national-park/baltzer-lookout-hanging-rock
Location: Blue Mountains National Park NSW 2786, Australia

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