So there is only one reason I go hiking, okay may be two. But the MAIN reason I go hiking is to EAT PIE, second to be part of nature. But I need to later in order to do the former.

So where ever the hike is and who ever organises it, we must map out that crispy golden prize at the end… chunky meat pie before we even agree to go.

So one of my regular and favourite hikes is up Katoomba, Blue Mountains.

1. It is just over an hour’s drive from Sydney. Okay, so maybe it’s more like 90 minutes now given the amount of road works and traffic heading west out of Sydney.
2. It’s dotted full of amazing tracks – short, long, hard and easy. You can camp there, just try and stay close to the paths, it’s super easy to loose your bearings and direction as it is very dense. And getting lost is not ideal in the mountains, temperatures drop quickly once the sun goes down!

The regular track I do starts in Leura at Cliff Drive… it’s not super hard and if you get up early enough you can do it and be clear of the hike and pie and be back in Sydney to spend the afternoon…..  The reasons I start at Cliff Drive are:

1. Heaps of street parking and it is FREE
2. The view is amazing at the start
3. The view is a bit deceptive of what lies ahead! ha ha ha

So off we go… and when it is a gorgeous blue sky sunny day… the valley is AMAZINGGGGGG! 

and then we basically walk down and across towards the 3 sisters. But before we start, this particular trip I managed to get a really good mate of mine to come along and was absolutely stooookkkeeed he said sure!!! He has never hiked in the decade that I have known him! hahaha … so the most happy shot of the day….

The view down is always stunning especially after the rains, some gorgeous little waterfalls dot the path all the way down – nature at its best.

We do hit rock bottom at some stage…. and it does go completely flat…

….. and towards the 3 sisters we go.. heigh-ho, heigh-ho….

Then you get to climb the Grand / Giant Staircase and then end up at the 3 sisters and we take a walk back. Yes the staircase is grand, it’s just shy of 1,000 steps at 900 or 900+, must really pay more attention next time with the counting! ha ha ha. Funny, I have never actually gone down the Staircase, only upwards! And of course it is a great work out on your glutes – no pain, no gain!

The views of the valley are spectacular on the way up, so take lots of breathers to take it all in…

Some sweat, okay lots of sweat and no tears, but we did make it up to the base of the 3 sisters and to honeymoon bridge…. so no matter who comes hiking, it is tradition we all get a shot here!

The view of the sisters is so stunning … 

So a walk back to the car on fairly flat ground and a drive down the road is the grand prize……pie time!!! Pie time at Schwarz Patisserie ♥♥♥, an awesome German Bakery in Wentworth Falls (tip: it’s opposite the train station)

So I always struggle at this bakery… how many pies do I have one or two? Creaming soda is a no brain-er, so no debates on that.. but then should I have dessert? Should I share my dessert… What dessert should I have then – fresh cream apple pie, strudel, traditional German poppy seed pastry, a fruit tart, a slice of black forest cake or….?  

…. but luckily there is always the TAKE-AWAY option on dessert and then I can load up on take away!!! Plus get an amazing pretzel and spelt bread….  Best thing is that they now accept cards at the bakery! 

So who’s in for the next hike?