NearMeBest walking trails in Blackheath
Last updatedPorters Pass Recreational Reserve is the walk to pick if you want a proper loop with some distance and a toilet near the start. Popes Glen Reserve and Memorial Park suit shorter outings, and The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens is the one for a slow stroll. Decide on distance first, then on what you want to see along the way.
Quick picks
- Longest loop: Porters Pass Recreational Reserve has a loop of about 4.5 km through rainforest, bush and rocky ground.
- Creek walk: Popes Glen Reserve follows the water down to Boyds Beach, and the climb back is the hard part.
- Pond loop: Memorial Park has a loop path around the duck pond, with a toilet close by.
- Gentle stroll: The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens has easy tracks that most people can manage with a pram.
Porters Pass Recreational Reserve: the longest loop
- 4.5 km
- Loop
- Toilets
- Parking
Porters Pass Recreational Reserve's Colliers Causeway loop is the walk to choose when distance matters. It runs about 4.5 km (2.8 miles) through rainforest and bush, passing Lambert's Lookout, Fort Rock and Slippery Dip Falls. The loop climbs 898 ft, and it's rated hard. The closest toilet sits at the Centennial Glen car park, and there's nothing along the trail itself, so fill your water bottle first. Parking is informal, along the road or at the end of Ada Road. Dogs can come on a leash, but the narrow, rough paths won't suit every dog.
Walkers who want a full loop and don't mind a hard climb.
Popes Glen Reserve: the creek walk with a climb home
- Loop
- Parking
Popes Glen Reserve is the pick if you want a walk that follows water. The track drops beside Popes Glen Creek, crosses it and carries on to Boyds Beach, which can be small after rain. The views over the Grose Valley open up as you go. The way back is the test, so save some energy for it. A loop of about 9 km from Blackheath takes in the reserve for longer walkers, and street parking around the town is free.
Walkers who want a creek to follow and a view over the Grose Valley.
Memorial Park: the loop with a toilet on the way
- Loop
- Toilets
The loop at Memorial Park runs around the renewed duck pond, past open lawns and across the water. The new toilet sits along the path from the Prince Edward Street entrance, which makes it the easiest toilet stop on this list. Parking is the gap here: the text doesn't say where to leave the car. The trackhead at the park leads to bushwalks if a lap isn't enough.
Families and anyone who wants a lap with a toilet and open lawns.
The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens: a gentle stroll in bloom season
- Toilets
- Parking
The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens suits a slow walk rather than a workout. Easy tracks wind among rhododendrons and native eucalypts, and most areas can be reached with a pram, though some slopes are steep. The viewing platform below the lodge gives a wide look over the valley. There's a toilet and a car park on site, and dogs must stay on a lead. Allow about an hour, and go between late September and mid-November, when the blooms are at their strongest.
Anyone after a gentle walk, a pram or a view over the valley.
How the walks compare
By area
Every walking track in and near Blackheath
Each walk's length, loop, surface, toilets and parking sit side by side below.
| Park | Length | Loop | Paved | Toilets | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Porters Pass Recreational Reserve | 4.5 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2.Popes Glen Reserve | – | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| 3.Memorial Park | – | ✓ | – | ✓ | – |
| 4.The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens | – | – | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5.Pulpit Rock Reserve | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| 6.Mermaids Cave Recreation Reserve | 0.6 | ✗ | ✗ | – | ✓ |
How we picked
We compared each park on what its walks offer: length, whether they loop, the surface, toilets, parking and how busy they get. Dogs and shade are noted where the park's text gives them. A dash in the table means the text doesn't say, so it's unknown rather than a no. The four picks cover different walks, from a long hard loop to a gentle garden stroll, so choose by what you want from the outing.
FAQ
Which Blackheath walk has the best loop?
Porters Pass Recreational Reserve has the clearest loop in Blackheath, about 4.5 km (2.8 miles) past Lambert's Lookout and Slippery Dip Falls. Popes Glen Reserve also has a loop of about 9 km from town that takes in the reserve.
Are dogs allowed at Porters Pass Recreational Reserve?
Yes, but only on a leash: Blackheath's Porters Pass reserve admits dogs on its circuit. They're barred from the national park beyond, and the narrow, steep paths may not suit every dog.
Is there a toilet on the walks around Blackheath?
Yes, Memorial Park has public toilets, including a new one on the duck pond path. The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens has toilets near its car park, and Pulpit Rock Reserve has one in its day-use area.