Castle Head is one of many headlands on the Narrow Neck Peninsula south of Katoomba. It is named after the feature it looks down on – the Ruined Castle.
As well as bushwalkers, it is also a place used by recreational abseilers. They descend off the head down to the Ruined Castle. There is also at least one rock climbing route up Castle Head.
I had never been to Castle head despite having waked Narrow neck many, many times. To get there, it is a short walk from the Narrow Neck fire trail. The track leaves about 1km past the barrier and well before you arrive at the first steep uphill climb. The first turn-off track to the east – goes out to a nice lookout. about 50m from the fire trail. Not far past this is the next turn off – with metal posts – this is not the one to take. Keep going a little further, to get to a turn off (actually an old road) marked by wooden posts. Then it is about 30 minutes walking along a well defined track to the head.
I walked there from Katoomba Station – it took about 2 hours with photo stops.
Once at Castle Head – I set up my camp in a thicket near the trig. There are not many campsites right out at the point – but that is where the views are. A little further back were some fireplaces and some better campsites – but they are father away from the best views.
I was hoping for good light for sunset and sunrise. As it turn out the conditions were fairly mediocre. But – it was nice to be out there.
On Sunday, I walked back to the Golden Stairs track and descended to Federal Pass. Then I walked all the way to Leura Forest and climbed out of Jamison Valley by Leura Cascades. More photo stops. From there it is only 15 minutes walk back to Leura Station.
More photos on my website here.