Blue Mountains Camino end of year walk & dinner - Blackheath

BLUE MOUNTAINS CAMINO SUPPORTERS

DECEMBER TRAINING WALK, MEETUP AND END OF YEAR DINNER

Two options are offered for our training walk, an easy walk and a medium walk.  To join the medium walk you must have walked with the Blue Mountains Camino group previously - no first timers. Glenella will be open for bookings over the weekend, and an informal walk will also be arranged on Sunday. 

To join a walk: 

• You must bring snacks.
• You must carry at least 1.5 litres of water.

Both the easy and the medium walks start at Glenella, 56 Govetts Leap Rd, Glenella. Location.

There are toilets at Glenella, in Blackheath town centre and along the easy walk route at the Visitor Centre near Govetts Leap, and at Govett's Leap Lookout.

Walk 1 - Easy

Start time: 8:30am for 8:45am start

Distance: About 7.5 km. 3 hours

Description: From Glenella, we will head out along Popes Glen trail then by road to the NSW National Parks Centre and Fairfax Heritage Track, for views from Govetts Leap lookout. We will return to Glenella along Govetts Leap Rd. The route does not include any cafes, so BYO snacks and hot drinks. 

Walk leader: Sharise 

Walk 2 - Medium

Start time: 8:30am for 8:45am start

Distance: 10km. About 4 hours

Description: From Glenella, we follow back lanes and bush tracks to the start of the Walls Cave track, off Evans Lookout Road. Walls Cave is significant to traditional owners. Entry to the cave is not permitted. On the way, we cross Greaves Creek with its interesting slot canyon and watercourse. We return to Glenella along the Braeside Creek track and fireroad. The walk includes quite a few steps and a few short rough sections, as well as a long fireroad climb back to Blackheath.  Good trail walking shoes are essential and walking poles will be useful.  Bring water and snacks as there is no food or drinking water available on the walk.

Walk leaders: Margaret and Tony

To join the medium walk you must have walked with the Blue Mountains Camino group previously - no first timers.  You also need to be confident of your fitness to walk for 4 hours. 

MEET UP

We will hold our regular Camino meetup from 2-4pm at Glenella, 56 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath.  

This is a relaxed and informal opportunity to hear from guest speakers about various topics, including recent Camino experiences, Camino gear, taking care of feet, travelling to various pilgrimages, and most importantly - just mingling with like-minded and future pilgrims. 

Tea, coffee and cake (including Santiago tart) will be served.   A registration fee of $10 for the meetup covers these costs. 

END OF YEAR DINNER

We will celebrate the end of the year with dinner from 6pm at the Gardeners Inn Hotel, 255 Great Western Highway Blackheath. Menu.

ACCOMODATION AT GLENELLA 

Glenella is open for accommodation for the weekend from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November for anyone who has registered to join the Saturday morning walk or the afternoon meetup. The booking link will be in your walk registration email.

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WALKING SAFETY

Please read this before you attempt any of our training walks. 

Please read this before you attempt any of our training walks. 

You are welcome on our walks, but please read the following carefully before deciding to do a walk.

Your safety is your responsibility. You must know your walking ability. 

The walk coordinator on the day has the authority to withdraw you from the walk if they believe the walk is not suitable for you and they believe you may put yourself (and others) at risk. 

1. Read our notes about the walk carefully, and be aware of the difference between the grades of walks.

• Easy walks are usually on well-formed fire roads or bush paths, with limited stairs or steep parts. Elevation gains during the walk are typically small to moderate.   Distances 5-12 kms.
• Medium walks also include walking on well-formed fire roads and bush paths but are generally more challenging walks and faster pace. People more accustomed to bushwalking trails should consider this option. If you're not experienced on rougher ground, or are not confident about your current fitness level then choose the first (easy) walk to build up your confidence.   Distances typically 12-16kms.

2. Do not attempt either walks if you have any health concerns at all.

3. Wear appropriate footwear and bring ample water (minimum 1.5 litres).  Walking poles can be useful. 

4. Wear and bring appropriate walking gear, the weather in the mountains can change rapidly so always have a rain jacket or poncho. A hat for sun and rain protection.

5. Basic first aid kit including snake bandage, sunscreen, insect repellent.

4. The group is only as fast as its slowest walker.  If you are unsure about being able to keep up with the group for the entire walk, start with the easy walk. 

5. All walkers will meet at the start of the walk.  If you are unsure of the route, make sure you buddy up with someone who does.  An experienced walker will walk at the rear of the group.

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All our Blue Mountains Camino events are subject to severe weather events.  If events are restricted or the organisers determine conditions are not safe for pilgrims to gather together the walk will be cancelled.  Your registration fee will be fully refunded in that case. 

Walkers must be over 18. Exceptions may be made for easy walks where a child over 12 is preparing for a Camino walk and is supervised by an adult who has walked with us previously. In this case, please contact us by email to discuss before registering.

More information about the Blue Mountains Camino Supporters:   https://bluemountainscamino.au

If you have any questions, please email info@bluemountainscamino.au