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Jungle Circuit
Jungle Circuit

Jungle Circuit

Last time I descended Govetts Leap and located the track to the Jungle Circuit, it was overgrown and strewn with obstacles - finding the loop itself was nigh on impossible.

Last time I descended Govetts Leap and located the track to the Jungle Circuit, it was overgrown and strewn with obstacles - finding the loop itself was nigh on impossible.

Since then, track finding has improved with the addition of a little signage, and clearing of the circuit.

Descending 2/3rds of the way down Govetts Leap, there’s a hairpin left, followed by a shallow but long cave before the corresponding right hairpin. At this hairpin there are 3-4 wooden steps hidden by ferns, that leads to a narrow track. Before the fires the easy reference point was the wooden signage to the base of the falls - these 4 steps are 5m back up the cliff from it.

Continuing along the track which follows the contour precisely to a large rock and broken railing and then twenty narrow stone steps down to the next contour. Again the track follows the contour exactly.

After 5-10 minutes a sign (and prior to the fires pink tape) on the right marks the start of the loop.

Choosing anti clockwise results in easier route finding.

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The well-marked steep downhill to the creek meant an anti-clockwise circuit. The track is mostly easy to follow, the general rule is that if you haven’t stepped on a placed stone step for 10m then you’re lost. The only exception is low down near the creek, where a fallen tree has obstructed the track for 20m - skirting to the left picks it up again. (Edit: Post fires everything combustible is different).

And 15 minutes after leaving the cliff line the creek is reached - the old railings are still in good condition.

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Crossing over leads to steepish hairpins, and the ascent to Bridal Veil Falls is uneventful. Near the top there are a few large trees across the track that would present some navigational choices if descending. The last 150m is on the same level as the base of the Falls. Doing the circuit anti-clockwise avoids most of the route finding options as the Falls are visible and audible from a distance.

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The marked rock at the Falls shows the continuation of the clockwise circuit.

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Following the base of the cliff back towards Govetts Leap, reveals a drip of good cool water, and the obligatory Water Dragon.

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It’s an hour or so walk from the car park to complete the circuit.

  • 09/12/2018