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ABOUT: A ledge that has stunning views across the U shaped Cedar Valley, Lake Burragorang in the distance, a back view of Mount Solitary & weathered rocks make fabulous foregrounds.
The sun comes up from the left, creates wonderful rays across the mist & trees in the valley and skim lights up the edges of the Mount Solitary ridges – castle head and ruined castle can also be seen from the reverse angle.
PHOTO EQUIPMENT TO BRING: A solid tripod and if you are getting to the spot before sunrise, descent shoes & warm accessories. A 14mm-20mm gives good overall coverage of the valleys but some nice ridge layers can be had with a 35mm-50mm. Very long 200mm+ forLake Burragorang.
GETTING TO THE SPOT/S: Follow Glenraphael Drive until the locked gate, where you can park. Use the custom map below for the specific location, but walk for about 20-25 mins on the easy fire track.
Just before the track goes very steeply up to the right you will see two stakes and an obvious trail going off to the left across some smooth rocks. Follow this for about 5 mins up a small hill, at the top keep level and follow the trail around to the right, it continues on a thin track through a usually overgrown area and a 2-3 minute walk later out to the obvious rocky platform. Views before the outcrop on the left looking down the gully out to ruined castle and Solitary, then the ridge outcrop through the bushes at the top. Careful of the sheer drop here!
hi Gary… i love these guides..
but, last weekend, i rented a car to checkout this place, but glenraphael drv is closed & fenced off..
so is there any other access or do i need to go for a long hike from scenic world along federal pass ?
thanx
Hi Handy,
Yes I have little control over temporary works and sorry you had a problem getting access, I believe they are finishing the work this week. Always worth keeping an eye on http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alert/state-alerts for work in around the Blue Mountains
The works are blocking off the whole of Narrow Neck so Furber Steps down to valley and along to Ruined Castle or Solitary is only options there – not photographical the best walk though until you get up high on either of those…
FROM THE ALERT SITE
Narrow Neck Road closed 9-27 March for road works and asbestos removal
Crown Lands Sydney will be closing Glenraphael Drive (Narrow Neck) to vehicles and walkers from Cliff Drive between 9 – 27 March for road works and asbestos removal. The closure period is dependant on weather. This includes access to:
Golden Stairs, Kanangra to Katoomba and Wild Dogs treks
Narrow Neck cycling route
Narrow Neck abseil training area
Diamond Falls climbing area within the Blue Mountains National Park.
Alternative access to Narrow Neck climbing area is available via Devils Hole walking track.
Alternative access to Ruined Castle and Mt Solitary is via Furber Steps.
thanx for the info.. i will be sure to trek and take pics on those paths once they reopen.
OMG do you have instagram? Your photos are absolutely incredible, but I am even more amazed by your detailed info. I learned a lot really appreciate it.
Thanks. IG https://www.instagram.com/garyphayes.photography/