National Pass

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Starting at the Conservation Hut (parking nearby), there are several sets of steep staircases that lead down to lookouts and the first of a few waterfalls along this track. The first stretch leads to Empress Falls and follows the falls down towards the Valley of The Waters.

Take the National Pass route to cut through the middle of the cliffside, taking you through ever-changing landscapes and amazing cliffside views. This path is well defined, with several patches of very narrow or stone-step trail. You'll pass by a few additional waterfalls until you reach the Grand Stairway, which marks the ascent back up to the top of the cliff.

The top of the Grand Stairway leads to the Undercliff Track, which has many outlooks as it takes you back to the Conservation Hut.

Rather than following the Undercliff Track all the way to the Overcliff Track, this route takes a shortcut back to the Conservation Hut by following the trailhead signs that lead to a picnic area and parking lot (signs are about halfway through the Undercliff Track from the Grand Stairway). From the parking lot, trailhead signs leading to the Shortcut Track allows for the fastest route back to the Conservation Hut, skipping repeat views that you would see by taking the longer but more scenic Overcliff Track. The Shortcut Track sign estimates 30 mins from the Picnic Area to the Conservation Hut.