Nepean Lookout

Nepean Lookout makes a brilliant destination for a mountain bike or gravel-style ride through the Glenbrook section of Blue Mountains National Park. Sitting above the Nepean River and Fairlight Gorge, the lookout rewards the ride with sweeping views across the deeply cut sandstone landscape and surrounding bushland. You can ride it as a 10km out and back from the top gate but parking is limited, or start it anywhere along the oaks where there is parking, alternative is to go from Euroka campsite, red hands cave parking or for a bigger ride go from the Glenbrook park entrance, riders can follow The Oaks fire trail for around 8km, crossing the Glenbrook Gorge causeway, before turning onto Nepean Lookout Trail for approximately another 4km to reach the lookout. That makes the straightforward out-and-back roughly 24km, with plenty of scope to extend the ride using other authorised trails around Glenbrook. The riding is predominantly unsealed fire trail, so this is more of an adventure/XC ride than technical singletrack. Expect rolling terrain, loose gravel, sandstone surfaces and some solid climbing on the return journey. A mountain bike is the easiest choice, although capable gravel riders should also enjoy the route in suitable conditions. At the end, a short track takes you to the unfenced Nepean Lookout, overlooking the steep, forested gorge with the Nepean River below. The surrounding heath and angophora forest make the destination worthwhile even before you factor in the riding. One of the best things about this ride is how easily it can become part of a bigger Glenbrook adventure. The Glenbrook area also includes authorised riding on The Oaks, Bennetts Ridge and other management trails, so stronger riders can link Nepean Lookout into a much longer loop rather than simply returning the way they came. For riders searching for Nepean Lookout cycling, Glenbrook MTB, Blue Mountains gravel riding, Lower Blue Mountains MTB or mountain bike rides near Penrith, this is a scenic option that’s more about exploration and the destination than technical trail features. RTS Tip: Don’t judge the ride purely by distance. The climb back out of the Glenbrook area can add some sting to the return journey, particularly on a hot day. Carry plenty of water and check NPWS alerts before heading out — the causeway can close following rain and mobile reception is limited in parts of the park.