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Australia

New South Wales

Golden Stairs to Ruined Castle via Federal Pass loop

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Australia

New South Wales

Golden Stairs to Ruined Castle via Federal Pass loop

Hard

5.0

(3)

hikers

Golden Stairs to Ruined Castle via Federal Pass loop

03:11

8.88km

340m

Hiking

Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: March 10, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 4.12 km for 46 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

118 m

Golden Stairs

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Prepare well for the Golden Stairs, bring lots of water, and remember you go down before you go up!

Tip by

275 m

Blue Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage–listed park made up of sandstone cliffs, plunging valleys, waterfalls, and eucalyptus forests that create the region’s distinctive blue haze. The park …

Tip by

2.44 km

Federal Pass

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

Federal Pass steeply drops down to the Jamison Valley floor via the Golden Stairs. This area was once a mining site, but today it is a protected wilderness. Federal Pass …

Tip by

3.87 km

View of Ruined Castle

Highlight • Viewpoint

From this break in the trees, bushwalkers can get a great viewpoint of Ruined Castle and the Blue Mountains. Continue heading south to the base of Ruined Castle.

Tip by

4.11 km

Ruined Castle

Highlight • Viewpoint

Ruined Castle is not actually a man-made castle, but a series of sandstone pillars formed by erosion that look like a castle in ruins. The views here are fantastic, and only experienced climbers should attempt to climb the pillars.

Tip by

8.88 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.89 km

2.97 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

8.80 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Saturday 1 August

15°C

3°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Golden Stairs to Ruined Castle via Federal Pass loop

Golden Stairs

Blue Mountains National Park

Federal Pass

View of Ruined Castle

Ruined Castle

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