Kanangra to Katoomba - K2K is a 47km, grade 5 hike located in the Kanangra-Boyd National Park, New South Wales. The hike should take around 3-4 days to complete.
Warning
Much of the walk is through wilderness, for which there are no signs, and tracks in places are vague. Many parties have run into trouble over the years, and walkers need to be competent navigators.
Hike overview
A classic trail deep in the Blue Mountains, the K2K offers some of the best scenery in the region. Not for the faint hearted, this challenging track will reward with sweeping mountain views and off-track wilderness as hikers traverse through two great national parks. Over three or four days you will encounter some of the best known landscapes in the region including Kanangra Walls, Cox's river, Mt Cloudmaker and Tarros Ladders. This is a true wilderness experience that will take you into some of the most spectacular wilderness of NSW.
The hike from Kanangra to Katoomba is one of the classic longer walks of the Southern Blue Mountains, along with the Six Foot Track and Mittagong to Katoomba. Crossing two national parks, it takes in some of the best scenery of both, including excellent views from the high plateaux of Narrow Neck and Kanangra Walls.
Much of the hike is through wilderness, for which there are no signs, and tracks in places are vague. Many parties have run into trouble over the years, and walkers need to be competent navigators.
While the hike is most commonly done over three days, it can be done in two days by fit parties overnighting somewhere in the vicinity of the Coxs River. It is also done by some groups in one day as a challenge - "K to K in a Day" is one of the well known "hard" walks in the Blue Mountains, along with the significantly tougher Three Peaks.
Be prepared
New walkers to this area should consider an over night walk to 100 man cave which is just over Mt Cloudmaker so they can gain experience and understanding of the terrain before considering K2K. This area is unforgiving and there's not water on route to Mt Cloudmaker. Don't walk it in summer! It can also be hard to find water near 100 man cave so you might want to carry two days worth so you survive the return trip. Plan your water supply very carefully!
Itinerary
Day 1: Kanangra Walls to Mt Cloudmaker to Dex Creek (13km, 400m ascent)
Day 2: Dex Creek to Mt Strongleg to Mobbs Swamp (16km, 650m ascent)
Day 3: Mobbs Swamp to Medlow Gap to Katoomba (16km, 300m ascent)
For detailed trip notes, visit Bushwalking NSW
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 1160 m
Min elevation: 160 m
Total climbing: 2947 m
Total descent: -3068 m
Tips
- There are numerous routes that can be taken.
- There are plenty of good campsites along the way. The ones at Dex Creek and Mobbs Swamp usually have water available, which is why they are popular. However, they can be crowded at times. Most saddles between Mt Berry and Mt Strongleg offer a flat grassy area. Konangaroo Clearing is a large grassy area next to Kanangra Creek, and would be an excellent campsite if doing the walk in two days. Likewise there are numerous flat grassy areas between Mt Yellow Dog and Medlow Gap.
- The walk is best done in the cooler months, as there are plenty of ups and downs, and limited water options along the way.
Reference
Trail location
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
Getting there
Kanangra to Katoomba requires a long car shuffle. Leave one car in Katoomba, either on Narrow Neck at the Golden Stairs car park or the locked gate, or in Katoomba itself. The distances below assume a car at the locked gate.
The other car you will need to get to Kanangra Walls. For details on how to get to Kanangra Walls, see the information in the Kanangra Walls region, to the right.
If you have a large group you may be able to avoid the car shuffle by splitting in two, and doing the walk in opposite directions. However, you will need to make sure you can meet in the middle to exchange keys.
Gallery
If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.
About the region
Part of Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Kanangra-Boyd National Park is just 180km from Sydney. Enjoy superb scenery, abundant wildlife, cycling and walking.
Just 180km from the outskirts of Sydney, Kanangra-Boyd National Park, part of Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, feels like you’ve crossed an ocean to get there. Take in the magnificent scenery – the sheer sandstone cliff faces of Kanangra Walls or mist-wreathed Mount Cloudmaker – before walking down forest-lined trails to one of the park’s waterfalls. Keep your eyes peeled for echidnas and lyrebirds, particularly during summer.
An easy day trip from the Blue Mountains, Kanangra-Boyd also has quiet campsites among the snow gums at Boyd River if you want to get away from it all. Cyclists will want to bring their mountain bikes to explore the park’s fire trails. For the fishing enthusiasts, trout can be caught along Kowmung River and, for the adventurous, canyoning is popular during the warmer months.
Similar trails nearby
Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
Suggest an edit
Does this hikes information need updating? Sometimes the route, trail features or access conditions change.
Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.
1 Review on “Kanangra to Katoomba - K2K Hike (47km)”
Just finished the K2K (29-31 Dec 2022), path is non-existent and completely overgrown with vines and dense regrowth between Dex Creek and Cox’s River. Took us an hour per 750m between those two locations, so definitely make sure to add time at the moment! Path betweek Kanangra and Dex Creek and Coxs River to Katoomba is fine, if a little overgrown.