Back on the Mountain: the 34km Mt Solitary Loop in a Day

Bright Wisdom
Oct 14
4 min read

Hey, the Blue Mountains' Mt Solitary Loop track is finally open! It's gonna be awesome!

When I heard the news, my initial reaction was a casual, "Oh, that's great, enjoy!" thinking the 'they' referred to just about anyone else.

The response was swift: "Well, you're coming. That's why I'm telling you."

What? Me? Mt Solitary? Again?

It was one of the toughest hikes I'd done last year, and I'd sworn to myself that once was enough. But, that time, the loop wasn't fully open; we'd only done a section. So, here I was again, pulling on my boots with my hiking crew.

There were five of us, and we were attempting the seemingly impossible: completing this Grade 5, track—normally recommended for two or three days—in a single day. It was a massive challenge, but as I write this, I can happily say: we made it, safe and sound! (Though, seriously, I'm not recommending the one-day dash to just anyone—it involves what feels like an endless series of steep ups, downs, and countless steps.)

The Sunrise Start and the Ruined Castle

We'd left Sydney at 4am to hit the track before sunrise. Navigating the dark path with torches and headlamps, we soon found ourselves struck by the sheer beauty of the Three Sisters at sunrise. The vibrant colours painting the sky over the silhouetted Blue Mountains were magnificent—a truly breathtaking moment.

We enjoyed the view briefly, then it was time to move; our one-day goal meant we needed to be out before sunset.

The loop has three main features, and the first section took us past the Ruined Castle. If you're looking for an excellent day hike without tackling the whole loop, this is a fantastic destination. We kept marching this time, but it’s definitely worth the climb if you’re into hiking.

The Knife Edge and the Summit

The second major challenge was the Korrowal Knife Edge, a steep, rocky scramble that leads to the top of Mt Solitary. This is where your hiking poles become useless; you'll need all four limbs to climb up! It was a challenging yet interesting section that I actually quite enjoyed.

The weather was perfect, though it was quite windy at the summit. This is a critical lesson for any long hike: even if the temperature seems mild at the start, mountain weather changes fast. Always prepare for sudden shifts in conditions.

Reaching the top of Mt Solitary felt incredibly rewarding—the view was simply amazing. It makes you feel like all that hard work has paid off! But we weren't even halfway, so after a short break, we were marching on.

Serenity and Struggle in the Valley

The third part of the journey was the Kedumba River Valley, a serene spot that reminded me of the calm river scene from the movie A River Runs Through It. You’ll want to stay here forever, but the path down from Mt Solitary is brutal: a seemingly never-ending, sharp, and slippery downhill that requires careful scrambling. It was on this relentless descent that my right knee started sending distress signals. Uh oh.

When we finally made it to the river valley, the view, the breeze, and the cool water felt like heaven. You can rest your feet in the water, cool off, and grab a snack to refuel. This is also a crucial spot to refill your water bottle (make sure to treat the water!). Never underestimate your water intake; dehydration hits quickly, and it's still a long way out from here.

The Mental Game of the Fire Trail

From the Kedumba river valley, it was a gradual uphill climb back onto the main track, followed by a long section of fire trail. This is where the physical test turned into a mental one. As my knee started to hurt, the monotony of the fire trail felt a little boring and tiring.

I was grateful to still be able to walk on my own with the aid of my poles, but I walked carefully, praying for a safe exit!

By the 20k mark, everyone was starting to feel it—sore toes, muscle cramps. The fire trail does pass Jamison and Leura Falls creeks, which offer cooling stops and a nice break from the sun. While doing the loop in one day is possible, taking two or three days would certainly allow you to truly relax and enjoy the scenery.

The Final Climb

After the break at the creek, it was a continuous uphill trail all the way to the cliffline and Katoomba. This is when I told myself: "Thank God for this opportunity, but once I'm done, I'll happily cheer on anyone else doing this in one day! I'm not doing this again!"

I felt a surge of hope when I saw the sign for Scenic World. Then I remembered all the steps we had descended in the dark morning hours. Whoa. Climbing back up those sheer stairs was the final, grinding mental workout. It was one step at a time, just one more step.

When we finally made it out, after about 13hours total, we were relieved, exhausted, and incredibly happy that all five of us had made it safely. Yay!

A Note on Humility

Looking back, I am glad, happy, and immensely proud that I’ve done it. I’m also extremely grateful—to my hiking companions, to my body (even that aching knee) for enduring the journey, and to the perfect weather conditions. The more you venture into nature, the more humble you become; you realize that success is a blend of preparation and things just going your way. One thing out of your control, and it’s a whole different story.

So, is the Mt Solitary Loop in one day possible? Yes!

But if you want to relax a little and genuinely enjoy the scenery, I recommend taking a little longer. Do your research, be prepared, and never underestimate the mountains!

Thanks for reading, and I hope my experience helps someone out there plan their own awesome, one-of-a-kind adventure.

Have you ever tackled a hike you swore you'd never do again?

Let me know in the comments!