Discover dog-friendly trails in the Blue Mountains using expert-curated trail maps and driving directions provided by hikers, campers, and pet owners. Enjoy stunning views, waterfalls, and climbs alongside an assortment of canine activities like hikes.
Increase Your Experience: Get an up-close experience of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area on an Explorer Bus tour with a knowledgeable guide who’s an adept raconteur – telling tales about Indigenous people’s longstanding ties to the land and telling their stories of its significance for them.
1. Scenic World
Just because some trails in the Blue Mountains are off-limits to dogs doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this popular day trip destination near Sydney. Scenic World in Katoomba provides many pet-friendly activities and walks that are both beautiful and safe for your furry friend, including their steepest railway, cableway ride, temperate rainforest walk and annual sculpture exhibition with 25 art pieces scattered along its walking trail.
Pitch your travel bag on the world’s steepest railway for an exhilarating journey into Jamison Valley, passing sandstone cliffs and iconic landmarks such as Three Sisters. After this exciting train journey, glide effortlessly along Southern Hemisphere’s highest aerial cableway for panoramic twilight panoramas of spectacular wilderness from Skyway’s glass floor – or, for those preferring slower pace, discover temperate rainforest on Walkway with your guide!
Follow the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit for an effortless walk that won’t get muddy even after rain, to explore five exquisite waterfalls that look especially breathtaking when wet (perfect spot to spot Lyre Birds and ancient tree ferns!). Or venture further and hike more challenging terrain – head out onto Lapstone Zig Zag Track where you can admire Knapsack Viaduct from its top of its gully!
Kids of all ages will delight in feeding wallabies, petting koalas and taking photographs at a wildlife park surrounded by 10,000 square kilometres of World Heritage-listed wilderness on this unique tour. Plus with an Unlimited Discovery Pass you can do it again as often as desired in one day!
2. Katoomba Falls
Katoomba Falls is one of the main attractions in the Blue Mountains, and rightfully so! This breathtaking waterfall cascades from a steep cliff and is truly enchanting to witness. Additionally, hikers enjoy it as there are various vantage points and walks around it that provide access to this area; Prince Henry Scenic Walk can be completed quickly in minutes while still giving excellent views from various perspectives of Katoomba Falls and beyond.
Furber Steps trail provides another excellent way of viewing the falls, situated near their base and leading down to a lookout with spectacular views of them. However, this path may only suit larger dogs with good balance and mobility as its steps are quite large and sometimes steep; furthermore, its path crosses over creeks and through some muddy patches which might make this an uncomfortable environment for small pups with sensitive paws or those who shy away from dirt.
This hike may be more adventurous than most dog-friendly trails in the Blue Mountains, but is still easily doable with an attentive pet and will provide breathtaking views of the gorge below the falls. Although short (approximately 2km), this moderately challenging trek should not be attempted by dogs with limited stamina or that are easily overexcited.
Katoomba Falls Reserve offers many other easy and scenic walking trails you can do with your pet, such as the Round Walk from Scenic World car park which takes less than an hour to complete. This relaxing and picturesque stroll offers lots of shade as you pass beautiful waterfalls en route – providing an enjoyable alternative to more challenging hikes through the Blue Mountains National Park where dogs are not permitted.
3. Blue Mountains Pet Resort
Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals’ Blue Mountains area is an idyllic destination for outdoor adventures and scenic vistas with your pet in tow. Their cabins and cottages feature many pet-friendly options and their vacation homes are conveniently located near New River, Claytor Lake, and other scenic spots – plus there are lots of pet-friendly hiking trails that allow your canine friend to join you for relaxing strolls!
Sun Retreats Blue Mountain Resort provides an action-packed camping getaway, perfect for pet friendly camping sites like Clarksburg on Georgian Bay. Offering pet friendly camping spots that feature various activities and amenities – like water park Plunge Aquatic Centre with indoor/outdoor pools for water basketball, swing ropes and water slides; hot tub sessions or watching sunset from an inviting yurt are just a few more ways you can make memories here!
Blue Mountains provides the ideal setting for an idyllic stroll, offering charming shops and weekend markets as well as cafes and restaurants to explore. Plus, its many scenic lookouts provide ample time for reflection!
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4. Blue Gum Forest
Blue Gum Forest is an exemplary example of a closed forest, and one which should inspire respect from anyone concerned with our natural world. These days it can often be empty of people and their bustle, creating an incredible opportunity for solitude. There’s no better way to experience its peace and serenity than taking a stroll into this magnificent wilderness!
Starting at Perrys Lookdown or Pierces Pass, this walk follows a trail which winds its way along Grose Valley floor before arriving at Acacia Flats campsite – perfect for bi-directional exploration! Camp here during your return leg for a truly two-way experience!
At this point, you should have covered roughly five kilometers on the trail and entered dense Blue Gum forest areas. Although some parts of the path remain overgrown due to fire regrowth, it should still be straightforward and you’ll soon be immersed among these magnificent giant trees.
Once you’ve arrived at the camping ground, take the trail to your left. Although this path is more overgrown than its counterpart, it should still be manageable; and at its conclusion you will arrive at an exquisite section of Grose Valley floor – making your extra efforts worthwhile in exploring this unique part of nature!
Experienced bushwalkers should add this fantastic bushwalk to their Sydney itinerary; its beauty will leave them feeling rejuvenated. Let the Blue Mountains give you a true taste of their remote wilderness; experience ancient trees in close quarters as part of this World Heritage region! When visiting Sydney be sure to add this amazing trek as part of their must-do experiences list; it will leave them feeling revitalized.