Bargo River Trail & Mermaid Pools

Details

Distance: 8.5km
Location: Tahmoor
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 90 minutes
Difficulty: Hard
On-off lead: Off lead
Pippa’s rating: 5.0 stars
Google Maps link to trailhead

Description

Exceptional hike along Bargo River Gorge past Mermaid Pools. Hard going (please note this!) in some sections but very worth it. Pippa had to be carried off some larger rocks, but mostly managed her own route through tough sections better than we did.

Start at the carpark near the widest section of the river in this area and walk under the bridge. Join the trail that hugs the riverbanks until you reach the Mermaid Pools proper. Stop for a look over the edge. The view is great from here but by no means the most beautiful on the walk(!). Join the gorge trail again ascending and head around the highest section of the gorge.

Here are where things get interesting… As you plunge down again into the gorge enjoy the change in the foliage as you find yourself back on the banks of the river in a much quieter part of the walk (most visitors stick to the pools only). This section was the highlight of the walk. Enjoy the river crossing (finding the best rocks to jump/scramble over was great fun – Pippa swam across unphased) whilst feeling very small beneath the giant walls of the gorge.

As you head back up to the top of the gorge enjoy the transition again in foliage as you sweat it out on a very steep ascent. Unulating terrain awaits at the top before gifting you the final few kilometres much more easier going.