Hat Hill Canyon – One of the Blue Mountains’ Best Kept Secrets

Hat Hill Canyon is an easy-to-tackle canyon situated in Blackheath, Blue Mountains. For curious hikers looking to get their feet wet this is a perfect transition into the world of canyoning, with no abseiling and only some scrambling needed.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Darug and Gundungurra people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

Hat Hill Canyon is an easy rated canyon located in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains. It’s around 8km long and takes around 5-7 hours to complete. While it’s rated ‘easy’ for a canyon, it’s definitely difficult for a hike.

Make sure to check NSW Parks Alerts before you head out for up to date information about park closures and safety announcements that might impact your visit.

Grab the guide: Blue Mountains Best Walks 4/e (Pop in ‘WAE15’ at checkout for 15% off!)

You’ll need confidence over rough terrain for this one

Quick Facts Hat Hill Canyon

Distance: 8.4km – 10.4km return
Duration: 5-7 hours
Elevation gain: 300m+
Nearest town: Blackheath, NSW
Navigation Data: AllTrails
Best time of year: The warmer months are better for canyoning, they’re cold at the height of summer!

About Hat Hill Canyon

Hat Hill Canyon is one of many Blue Mountains canyons, however is unique in that it’s quite varied compared to some of the others, with a few deep and narrow slots. I recommend setting aside a full day for the adventure and bringing lunch and snacks for the halfway point.  

Once in the creek, there are three constricted sections, separated by pleasant creek walking, with each one being longer and better than the one above. Constrictions are narrow and difficult-to-pass parts in canyoning that mark the sections of a canyon. In between are beautiful sections of open rainforest and a few short swims to cool off along the way. Most of the rocks in the stream-bed are covered with a very thick mat of moss – like thick carpet.

It’s a mossy wonderland

Hat Hill Canyon History

Hat Hill Canyon is in the Blue Mountains, located on the ngurra/Country of the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples. Although there isn’t an exact date to the tribe’s beginnings, it’s estimated that their history and connection with the land stretches back tens of thousands of years.

Hat Hill Canyon has been known for many years, however up until mid 2008 the Blackheath Sewage Treatment Plant was releasing treated effluent into the creek, so the canyon was not often visited. With the closure of the plant the water quality has increased and it’s safe to explore here again

The canyon finishes at Hat Hill Falls where the creek drops over the cliff to the Grose Valley far below. From here it’s possible to descend to the Grose Valley via Lews Pass, named after Lewis William Hodgkinson who discovered this route in the 1930s or 1940s.

Plenty of ropes remain in the area

How to Get to Hat Hill Canyon

Turn off the Great Western Highway on to Hat Hill Road at Blackheath. Drive along Hat Hill Road for 3.5km, followed by a left turn into the unsealed Godson Ave. There’s a car park which allows for 5-10 cars, however it’s all open bush around so no stress if the spots are full.

As the exit of the canyon is downstream on Perrys Lookdown Rd, you can do a car shuffle. Otherwise it’s only a 2km walk along a dirt road to complete the loop.

I guarantee that getting there is easier than being there!

Where to Stay at Hat Hill Canyon

While we completed Hat Hill Canyon as a day trip, there are plenty of comfortable and affordable options around Blackheath if you want to take a (well deserved) rest after the canyon. Camping is available at Blackheath Glen Reserve for free, which is a 20-minute drive from the trailhead.

Some other places to stay include:

• Blackheath Glen Tourist Park
• Blackheath Motor Inn
• Secrets Hideaway

Want more options? We’ve got plenty of Explorer-approved accommodation options

As pretty as it is at the top of the canyon, don’t camp here

Hat Hill Canyon Skill Level

Beginner (for canyoning)

Advanced (for hiking)

An decent level of skill is needed for Hat Hill Canyon, with general experience in the outdoors and some equipment. 

While this was my first time canyoning, I was lucky enough to be travelling with friends with significant canyoning experience and equipment. 

As canyons can be meandering without a clear path, it’s important to be comfortable with finding the safest routes, and using a GPS to navigate. You wont’ get GPS signal in the canyon so it’s important you have good track notes too.

Essentials include a helmet (climbing style preferred, bike helmets aren’t made for rockfall), dry bag, and a wetsuit – depending on the month.

Reception is non-existent throughout the canyon, so we chose to bring along a personal locator beacon that we borrowed from the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre in Blackheath. 

There are no water taps or early access points throughout the canyon, so remember to bring along water and food.

Hat Hill Canyon is mostly made up of slippery rocks. There’s a high chance of injury and it’s important you’re comfortable with uneven footing.

Always have a spotter for difficult sections

Essential Gear for Hat Hill Canyon

• A rock climbing style helmet
• Dry bag
• Wetsuit – it’s very cold in the canyon and you’ll get wet
• Grippy shoes
• Dry change of clothes for the hike out
• Personal Locator Beacon – available from Blue Mountains Heritage Centre
• Water – at least 2L
• Lunch
• Snacks
• Camera

T-shirts optional – don’t forget to slip, slop, slap!

What it’s Like to Explore Hat Hill Canyon

While on a trip to Sydney to visit family, some old friends and I decided to check out Hat Hill Canyon. We met early at a friend’s house and packed into three cars for the quick drive to the Blue Mountains. We absolutely lucked out, having the canyon all to ourselves on a beautiful April day. 

Hat Hill Canyon feels untouched as you hike and climb through it, with rays of light peeking through the canopy and thick carpets of moss. It was a perfect blend of difficult constrictions that forced you to swim through freezing water and wide open rainforest. 

The terrain changes constantly

Car Park to Start of Third Section

The hike down from the car park begins along a firetrail, before quickly turning into a narrow but distinct hiking trail. Rather mellow, this gave us the opportunity to chat about what was ahead and get any specific canyoning advice. The first and second sections are defined by some narrow rock jumps/slides and swimming, getting right into the action. We found that the first person climbing in slowly and checking the depth before the others followed allowed us to all remain safe.

Sometimes a bum slide is the best technique

Start of Third Section to Hat Hill Falls

The final section before the exit point is more of a nice creek walk than a canyon. The canyon opens up around tall trees surrounding the creek. Some of these trees had fallen across the creek, requiring some dipping, ducking, and diving to get past. The exit of the canyon was marked by a large opening, with the main exit directly ahead.

If you head slightly left the trail continues to Hat Hill Falls, giving a beautiful view. This section was more slippery, and encouraged some debate over the best way to continue.

Emerging from one of the constrictions

Hat Hill Falls to Car Park

After a well-deserved lunch, we continued back up the canyon to the clearing, before a steep climb out of the canyon. After spending so long in the dimly lit (and cold) canyon, it was a breath of fresh air to be back out in the direct sun. We hiked the rest of the way to the car proud of the canyon we’d just conquered – and already buzzing for the next one.

The ants go marching two by two

Tips For Hiking Hat Hill Canyon

• Canyoning can be dangerous – borrowing a PLB for free from the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre in Blackheath allows you a good opportunity to get advice on the canyon conditions and register your trip. It’s open from 9am-4:30pm every day
• If you have a GPS enabled device, make sure to download the GPX or AllTrails navigation data before you go 
• If you aren’t sure about water depth – don’t jump. Climb in slowly and gauge the depth for your canyoning friends
• Check the weather forecast! If any rain is forecast postpone your trip, water levels can rise quickly in narrow canyons
• Don’t try be brave with the cold – canyoning’s a lot nicer when you’re warm so pack thermals and wetsuits
• Follow your instincts when canyoning, sometimes the most common path isn’t best
• Always wear a helmet, slipping is common and things can fall from above
• Bring along a drink to celebrate afterwards!

Celebrating with your crew along the way is also encouraged

FAQs Canyoning at Hat Hill Canyon

Is Hat Hill Canyon suitable for beginners?

The canyon is definitely suited to beginner canyoners, but the 8km hike involved in this adventure is definitely on the more intermediate to advanced side. If you’re not a confident hiker and haven’t relied on your own navigation skills before you’ll definitely want to team up with someone more experienced.

Do I need to take a map to Hat Hill Canyon?

The trail isn’t fixed so taking a map, being aware of your planned route, and understanding what to do if you get lost is essential for this mission. Downloading the AllTrails map is a great start, taking a PLB, and letting someone know what time to expect you home are all good ideas.

Is there free parking at Hat Hill Canyon?

Yep, it’s free to park your car at the Godson Ave car park.

What other canyons can I explore near Sydney?

We’ve got a list of four of the the best canyons to explore near Sydney – how convenient!

Top Canyoning Spots in NSW

• Bungonia Slot Canyon is an Easy-Access Canyon Adventure (NSW)
• A Boy’s First Canyon // Lower Bowens Creek North (NSW)
• Serendipity Canyon in the Blue Mountains