Popes Glen Reserve
Popes Glen Reserve is a bushland reserve in Blackheath, NSW, where a walking track follows Popes Glen Creek through the reserve. Its standout feature is that creek walk, which leads down to Boyds Beach and offers views across the Grose Valley.
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About Popes Glen Reserve
Walking Track Along Popes Glen Creek
Popes Glen Reserve has a walking track that follows Popes Glen Creek downhill through the reserve. The track crosses the creek and continues to Boyds Beach, which was small at the time of the walk after flooding. A moderate loop of about 9 km from Blackheath follows the reserve, giving walkers a longer route that keeps the creek in view. The track was severely damaged by the 2019–20 summer bushfires and has since been repaired and upgraded. Popes Glen Reserve suits visitors who want a bushland walk with running water alongside the path.
Grose Valley Views and Rock Formations at Popes Glen Reserve
Popes Glen Reserve offers views across the Grose Valley that open up as walkers move through the bushland. Pagoda-like rock formations stand within the reserve, giving the scenery a distinctive shape along the walk. Birdlife in the reserve depends on the season, so each visit can reveal different species. The bubbling creek flowing past these rocks adds sound and movement to the views. Because the scenery and wildlife change through the year, Popes Glen Reserve rewards repeat visits.
Facilities at Popes Glen Reserve
Visitor tips for Popes Glen Reserve
- ✓Plan for the return climb, since the track descends toward the creek and Boyds Beach before heading back up.
- ✓Join the Popes Glen Bushcare Group on the fourth Saturday of the month, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, meeting at Blackheath Glen Tourist Park campground, to help with weed removal.
Getting to Popes Glen Reserve
The Popes Glen Reserve entrance is located off Wills Street near Blackheath Memorial Park in Blackheath NSW 2785. Blackheath railway station is within walking distance, though part of the approach is a few hundred metres of Dell Street with no footpath. Free street parking is plentiful in Blackheath, and the reserve can also be reached from the bottom of Govetts Leap Road or from the swimming pool area.
Open in Google Maps →Nearby Blackheath
- 📍Blackheath Memorial Park
- 📍Parklands Country Gardens and Lodges
- 📍Govetts Leap
- 📍Barrow Lookout
- 📍Boyds Beach
Frequently asked questions about Popes Glen Reserve
Is there parking at Popes Glen Reserve in Blackheath, and is it free?
Yes, free street parking is plentiful around Blackheath, so visitors can park on nearby streets at no charge.
What walking paths are there at Popes Glen Reserve, and how long are they?
A walking track follows Popes Glen Creek through the reserve, and a moderate loop from Blackheath covers about 9 km.
Is Popes Glen Reserve wheelchair or pram accessible?
The track has many ups and downs, so it is not a flat route for wheelchairs or prams.
Is Popes Glen Reserve safe to visit, and are there any hazards I should know about?
The track has many ups and downs, and it was severely damaged by the 2019–20 summer bushfires before being repaired and upgraded.