Tarros Ladder

Walking the Pass

Tarros Ladder itself is the final 10-metre drop through a narrow rock corner, aided by a series of iron spikes and stemples set into the sandstone. It is exposed but relatively straightforward for anyone comfortable with mild heights and scrambling — rated Easy to Moderate among the thirteen-plus Narrow Neck passes. The very bottom section is the trickiest bit, particularly for shorter-legged walkers. A length of cord can be useful for lowering backpacks down the vertical face.↗↗

If you prefer not to use the spikes, an alternative route called the Wallaby Track (sometimes marked as Duncans Pass on maps) loops around the nose of the cliff and descends through a minor gully with no climbing required — just look for a faint footpad heading left from the top of the ladder section.↗↗

The full descent from Clear Hill involves a broad track that passes a small pagoda-like lookout, descends through a cleft with a short metal ladder (not Tarros Ladder itself), and traverses a series of easy ledges and overhangs before reaching the famous spike section. From the bottom, a well-used trail continues down the ridge past Mount Debert to Medlow Gap, where it connects with fire trails leading back into the Megalong Valley.↗↗

Views That Stop You in Your Tracks

The rewards begin well before you reach the ladder. The end of Narrow Neck at Clear Hill (890 metres elevation) offers a commanding 360-degree panorama that Frank Duncan called "one of the best I have seen in New South Wales." To the south sprawl the rugged peaks of the Wild Dog Mountains — Mount Debert, Mount Mouin, Mount Warrigal — their dog-themed names said to originate from a "black dog of a ridge." To the east, the sheer cliffs of the Jamison Valley drop away; to the southeast, the sprawling blue surface of Lake Burragorang glints through the haze.↗↗

From the top of Tarros Ladder's chimney, the view plunges dramatically down to the bush-clad slopes below — a visceral reminder of why this route has drawn thrill-seekers for nearly a century.↗

Getting There

There are two main approaches. The classic route starts from Dunphys Campground (also called Carlons Farm/Green Gully) on the Megalong Valley side: drive from Blackheath across the railway line and follow Megalong Road for approximately 20 km on a windy, partially unsealed road. From the campground, ascend the Bellbird Ridge fire trail and walk the full length of Narrow Neck (roughly 7 km) to reach the pass from above — a full-day loop of 16–17 km. The alternative is to drive from Katoomba up Narrow Neck Road to the locked gate at Glenraphael Drive's start (restricted vehicle access), then walk the remaining distance to Clear Hill and descend the ladder toward the valley.↗

In normal dry conditions, the Megalong Valley roads are accessible by 2WD. The fire road along Narrow Neck (Glenraphael Drive) was built in 1957–58 after bushfires and provides relatively straightforward access to the top of most of the plateau's passes.↗↗

Pairing with Carlon Head

Many walkers combine Tarros Ladder with the much harder Carlon Head (also known as Mansons Ladders or Carlons Chains), a nearby pass featuring four pitches of chains, spikes, and significant exposure on a sheer bluff overlooking Carlons Farm. The full Carlon Head–Tarros Ladder loop from Dunphys Campground covers about 17 km with 850 metres of total ascent and makes a satisfying full day of adventure walking. Carlon Head was first descended in 1932 by Harry Whaite and Warrigal Club members — reportedly by accident, when they mistook the bluff for Clear Hill.↗

Visiting Tips

This is remote bushwalking — carry enough water for a full day, as the only reliable creek crossing is Breakfast Creek on the return leg, and even that can stop flowing in dry periods. Avoid the pass after rain or when wet, as the rock face becomes slippery and dangerous. The area falls partly within Kanangra-Boyd Wilderness and Warragamba catchment Special Areas, so dogs are not permitted. Bring a head for heights but leave technical climbing gear at home — this is a walking pass, not a climbing route, though a rope or tape can add reassurance.↗↗

Tarros Ladder also serves as a critical waypoint on the famous K2K (Katoomba to Kanangra Walls) long-distance walk, connecting Narrow Neck to the Medlow Gap trail and onward south. For day walkers wanting a shorter experience, descending Tarros Ladder from Clear Hill and returning via the Medlow Gap fire trail makes a manageable circuit of around 12–14 km.↗↗