Wentworth Falls Trail Run.
The 16 km at the Wentworth Falls Trail Run is the longer loop from the Fairmont Resort in Leura, on trails and stairs through the Blue Mountains National Park with views of Wentworth Falls and Mt Solitary. It rewards legs that can drop and climb again and again, and enough left over for the long haul back up to the resort.
Wentworth Falls Trail Run 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
From the Fairmont the course drops first, then from km 2.2 comes the longest climb of the loop: just over 100 m of gain in a little more than a kilometre, with pitches near 19 percent. On top it runs to Conservation Hut and the first aid station, then along the Shortcut Track and past the Wentworth Falls picnic area to the second station on Chester Rd. Height bleeds away slowly on this stretch, broken by a steady climb from km 6.4.
After Chester Rd the 16 km turns off into a section the 11 km skips and sinks to its lowest point around km 9.5. The rhythm then changes: from km 11.6 a short, steep pull with pitches above 20 percent brings you back up to the plateau, where both courses rejoin.
The return passes Fletcher's Lookout and follows the Undercliff and Overcliff Track. Here the course drops well below the cliff edge once more, and the final kilometre and a half is almost all uphill, more than 100 m in two steps to the finish at the Fairmont. Trails and stairs set the character, not long fire trails.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.2 | 1.1 km | 9 % | 19.1 % | +101 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 6.4 | 1.3 km | 4.8 % | 9.3 % | +61 m | — |
| km 10.3 | 0.8 km | 4.3 % | 12.2 % | +33 m | — |
| km 11.6 | 0.5 km | 12.2 % | 21.5 % | +61 m | — |
| km 14.5 | 0.9 km | 8.2 % | 15.7 % | +72 m | — |
| km 15.6 | 0.3 km | 12.1 % | 20.1 % | +36 m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Wentworth Falls Trail Run.
Start under control
The loop alternates between drops below the cliff edge and short ways back up, with only a small share of flat ground. Budget your effort by the climbs, not by pace per kilometre: let the long, gently falling stretches to Chester Rd run, and on the stairs a brisk hike is often as fast as running and cheaper.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided in the last five kilometres. The steep pull from km 11.6 arrives with the extra section already in your legs, and after it come the drop below the cliffs and the two-step climb back to the Fairmont. Anyone still climbing evenly there gains more time than anywhere earlier.
Spend what is left
The classic trap is the early climb from km 2.2. On fresh legs it feels runnable, and forcing it gets paid back on the stairs at the end. Build your bottle into the plan too: there are no cups at the stations, so drink from your own supply as you go.
Training plan for Wentworth Falls Trail Run: 12-week build
Build the base
Most age-group runners will be out for roughly 1:45 to 2:45. The effort is uneven: long aerobic stretches on the falling and rolling sections, broken by short, hard climbs that spike the heart rate and several steep descents that load the quads.
Train race pace
What decides the day are the steep pieces on the return, above all the final kilometre and a half uphill to the finish. Train climbing on tired legs: long runs that save the hardest hills or stairs for the last third, and sessions of repeated short, steep ascents that mix running with a strong hike.
Rehearse the course
Stairs are not a detail here but part of the surface. Practise them in both directions, because a controlled stair descent on tired legs is a skill of its own. Strength work for calves, quads and hips, such as step-ups and lunges, makes the descents safer and the late climbs more economical.
Arrive fresh
The organiser requires at least 500 ml of water carried, with a no water, no result rule. Do your long runs with a vest or bottle and get used to drinking on the move over stairs and trail. Both stations, at Conservation Hut and Chester Rd, both come before the split, so the extra section and the long return run on whatever you refilled there.
Courses
Download the Wentworth Falls Trail Run course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Wentworth Falls Trail Run dynamically
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Everything about Wentworth Falls Trail Run.
How long is Wentworth Falls Trail Run?
Wentworth Falls Trail Run is 16 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Wentworth Falls Trail Run have?
Wentworth Falls Trail Run has around 467 m of elevation gain over 16 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Wentworth Falls Trail Run?
Wentworth Falls Trail Run is classified as Hilly, averaging 29 vertical metres per kilometre. 15% of the route is flat, 27% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 14% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Wentworth Falls Trail Run have?
The hardest climb of Wentworth Falls Trail Run starts at kilometre 2.2, runs for 1.1 km at an average of 9% and gains 101 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 6 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Wentworth Falls Trail Run a loop course?
Yes, Wentworth Falls Trail Run is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Wentworth Falls Trail Run course?
Yes. The Wentworth Falls Trail Run course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Wentworth Falls Trail Run?
Preparation for Wentworth Falls Trail Run should account for 16 km, 467 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Wentworth Falls Trail Run?
The pacing strategy for Wentworth Falls Trail Run should reflect 16 km, 467 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Wentworth Falls Trail Run take place?
Wentworth Falls Trail Run takes place on March 21, 2027.
Where does Wentworth Falls Trail Run take place?
Wentworth Falls Trail Run takes place in Leura, Australia.
Which distances does Wentworth Falls Trail Run offer?
Wentworth Falls Trail Run offers 2 distances — 16 km: 16 km; 11 km: 11 km.
How do I register for Wentworth Falls Trail Run?
Registration runs through the organiser: runningwildnsw.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
