Ruined Castle via Furber Steps: a spring day in the Blue Mountains

By Manish · Walked Sunday, 18 October 2026 · OZ Outdoors

A place to stop and take in the view at Ruined Castle.

On Sunday 18 October, I took our OZ Outdoors group to Ruined Castle in the Blue Mountains. We went down Furber Steps, followed the valley tracks and climbed back out via Golden Stairs.

It was a full day, with views of the Three Sisters at the beginning, spring flowers along the way and lunch among the rocks at Ruined Castle. The waratahs were a particular highlight. There were so many around the approach to the lookout, and seeing them flowering there felt quite special.

Getting everyone to the start

The morning took a little more organising than usual. There were transport cancellations and trackwork, so those of us using public transport had to take a bus and then catch the Blue Mountains train from Blacktown. Others drove to Scenic World and parked there.

We met most of the group at Katoomba station, our starting point. Others joined us at Scenic World carpark. Before heading down into the valley, we stopped for the view towards the Three Sisters.

Our hiking group at a fenced lookout with the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley in the distance — Taking in the Three Sisters view near the beginning of our walk.

Down Furber Steps and into the valley

Furber Steps took us down beside the cliffs and into the valley. The steep steps gave way to rocky track with open views, then flatter stretches of bushwalking beneath the trees.

We followed Federal Pass towards Ruined Castle. The changes along the way are part of what I enjoy about this route: the cliffs above, the open valley and then the shade of the forest.

Narrow stone steps descending beside a cliff and metal handrail on Furber Steps — Descending Furber Steps.

A rocky walking track opening onto forested Jamison Valley and sandstone cliffs — The track opening out towards the valley.

A flatter leaf-covered bush track beneath tall trees in the valley — A flatter stretch beneath the trees.

Spring flowers and waratahs

There were flowers to notice along the track, including small white flowers with a beetle on one of them and patches of yellow flowers through the bush. Spring added another reason to stop and look around.

A small beetle resting on a white flower with a yellow centre — A small visitor on one of the flowers.

Clusters of yellow spring flowers growing beside the bush track — Yellow flowers beside the track.

The waratahs near Ruined Castle stood out most. Their red flowers were easy to spot among the green leaves, and there were plenty of them around the approach to the rocks.

The waratah is New South Wales’ floral emblem and flowers in spring. The name itself has an Aboriginal origin: the Australian Government’s account traces “waratah” to the language of the Eora people.

A crimson waratah flower in focus, with another bloom and the Blue Mountains behind it — Waratahs near Ruined Castle.

Two red waratah flower heads among green serrated leaves and old seed pods — One of the special sights of this spring walk.

Using TrekMeet with the group

I was following the route in TrekMeet and sharing my location with some of the walkers behind us. That made it easier for them to see where I was. Five people were following my live position when I took the screenshot.

The screenshot and short recording below are from during the walk. They show progress at two different points in the day, before the final distance was recorded.

TrekMeet Live Trek screen showing location sharing, 9.1 km walked, 1 hour 46 minutes and five people following — Partway through the day: 9.1 km in 1 hour 46 minutes, with five people following. For long recordings, carry a charged power bank and phone cable.

Later in the walk, zooming out to see the route. The screen shows 14.1 km, 3 hours and five people following. Silent screen recording, about 9 seconds.

Lunch at Ruined Castle, with a surprise in the valley

Getting up to the lookout took a little effort and care around the rocks, but the view was worth it. We stopped for lunch at Ruined Castle, with the mountains and valleys all around us.

While we were there, we saw three Chinook helicopters crossing the valley. It was an unexpected sight, and quite a surprise in the middle of our lunch stop. Two of them made it into this photograph.

Walkers at Ruined Castle watching two helicopters cross the forested valley below — Two of the three helicopters we watched crossing the valley.

The track also continues towards Mount Solitary, but that would have meant several more hours of walking, so we turned back from Ruined Castle. It is a more demanding extension: National Parks describes the onward track as Grade 5, for very experienced bushwalkers with navigation skills.

Back up Golden Stairs, then a well-timed bus

For the return, we climbed out of the valley via Golden Stairs. That climb gains roughly 250 metres from the valley, and it felt like a good workout by then. The lookouts along the way gave us places to pause and take in the view.

We finished back at Scenic World carpark. The original plan was to walk from there to Katoomba station, but a bus arrived just as we reached the carpark. We were a little tired, everyone was happy to take it, and we quickly tapped on with our Opal cards.

Golden Stairs climbing steeply between sandstone walls, ferns and trees — The climb back out via Golden Stairs.

The Sunday fare cap also helps keep these days affordable. At the time of writing, Transport for NSW lists an adult Opal travel cap of $9.65 on Sundays, which makes public transport a good option for a day in the mountains. Check the current fares and services when planning your own day.

Everyone was happy with the walk. We had enjoyed the views, the flowers and being out together, and the bus was a welcome way to finish. My final TrekMeet share card records 21.5 km in 6 hours.

TrekMeet share card for 18 October 2026 showing our Ruined Castle route trace, 21.5 km and 6 hours — The finished route trace shared from TrekMeet. These are my recorded figures for this outing.

If you would like to walk it

For me, this is a walk for cooler weather. The forecast was a maximum of 18°C. It was pleasant for us, and we still warmed up on the climbs. I have done it in an earlier year at around 24°C and found that exhausting. I would choose a cooler day for this route.

You can find Katoomba to Ruined Castle Return in TrekMeet, listed as 19.4 km · Hard. That is the reference route, while the 21.5 km above is my recording from this particular day. Your start and finish points will affect the distance you walk.

This long Ruined Castle outing is for experienced, well-prepared hikers. Allow for a full day, steep stairs, rough sections and the climb back out. Carry enough food and water for the whole outing, suitable footwear, weather protection and your other hiking essentials. Download your map before leaving coverage, and let someone know your route and expected return.

Check current NSW National Parks alerts, the weather and Transport for NSW’s Trip Planner before travelling. National Parks’ Ruined Castle track description covers a shorter return route from Golden Stairs, rather than our full Furber Steps outing. Access can change, so use current signs and official advice alongside your route plan.

If you would like to join one of our walks, look for OZ Outdoors in TrekMeet. This was a day everyone enjoyed, and I am glad we caught the waratahs in flower.