Litchfield Upper Cascades

Starting from The Cascades car park off Litchfield Park Road, this circuit walk takes you to the Upper Cascades in Litchfield National Park, visiting many waterholes and small waterfalls along the way. This 200-metre lava flow features shallow & clear pools as well as some deeper ones that you can swim in. As you make your way through the humid bushland, you’ll also pass through a vivid Monsoon forest that is quite picturesque. Bring your swimmers and splash around in the welcoming waters of Litchfield. Keep in mind that swimming is not permitted during the wet season. Keep an eye out for crocodiles although there are warnings in places. A hat and grippy shoes are recommended. Let us begin by acknowledging the Kungarakary people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Photo by admin, 2022.

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Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Start	At the intersection of Upper Cascades Circuit Walk & Cascades Falls exit (-13.1274777,130.6618591)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Stuart Highway, Coomalie Creek. Turn on to Batchelor Road then drive for 12.5 km At roundabout, take exit 2 and drive for another 6.6 km Turn left onto Litchfield Park Road and drive for another 64.5 km Turn right onto Cascades Falls exit and drive for another 510 m

Track Notes

Getting started
From The Cascades car park off Litchfield Park Road, pass through the bollard and head towards the brown directional signpost along the dirt track. Shortly after, pass by a sheltered informational signpost to your left. Abou 510 metres into the track (from the start), veer/turn left at the fork to continue along the Litchfield Upper Cascades Track (clockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Upper Cascades Circuit Walk & Cascades Falls exit Start heading along Upper Cascades Circuit Walk (a footpath). Find the car park at the start. After 50 m come to the viewpoint (30 m on your right). After another 50 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your right). From the Upper Cascades Circuit Walk continue straight, to head along Upper Cascades Circuit Walk. After another 15 m pass the toilet (30 m on your left). After another 55 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your right).
	After another 370 m (at the intersection of Lower Cascades Circuit Walk & Upper Cascades Circuit Walk) turn left, to head along Lower Cascades Circuit Walk. After another 190 m cross the bridge (about 9 m long) After another 230 m cross the bridge (about 5 m long) After another 70 m cross the bridge (about 3 m long) After another 110 m cross the ford.
	From the Lower Cascades Circuit Walk continue straight, to head along Lower Cascades Circuit Walk. After another 145 m pass the waterfall (30 m on your left).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the plunge pool of Curtain Falls. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. From the Lower Cascades Circuit Walk turn right, to head along Lower Cascades Circuit Walk.
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Upper Cascades Circuit Walk & Lower Cascades Circuit Walk) turn sharp right, to head along Upper Cascades Circuit Walk. After another 670 m pass a seat (9 m on your right)., has no backrest.
	From the Upper Cascades Circuit Walk veer left, to head along Upper Cascades Circuit Walk. After another 215 m pass a seat (about 15 m ahead)., has no backrest.
	From the Upper Cascades Circuit Walk turn right, to head along Upper Cascades Circuit Walk.
	After another 370 m (at the intersection of Upper Cascades Circuit Walk & Lower Cascades Circuit Walk) turn left, to head along Upper Cascades Circuit Walk.
	After another 400 m (from the Upper Cascades Circuit Walk) continue straight, to head along Upper Cascades Circuit Walk (a footpath).
	After another 35 m (from the Upper Cascades Circuit Walk) continue straight, to head along Upper Cascades Circuit Walk.
	After another 5 m (from the Upper Cascades Circuit Walk) continue straight, to head along Upper Cascades Circuit Walk.
	After another 40 m (from the Upper Cascades Circuit Walk) continue straight, to head along Upper Cascades Circuit Walk.
	Continue another 45 m to find at the intersection of Cascades Falls exit & Upper Cascades Circuit Walk at the end.

This little side trip takes you to the plunge pool of Curtain Falls.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Lower Cascades Circuit Walk Start (a walking track). After 30 m pass the waterfall (10 m on your right).
	After another 30 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 60 m to the main route.

Terrain

Litchfield Upper Cascades

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	3.2 km
Time	1 h to 1 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 105 m from the start.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.1 km apart with the largest gap of 2.2 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	105 m	[toilet]
Seat	2.2 km	[seat]
Seat	2.4 km	[seat]

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