Elevate Medical Hub 22km

Hassan Walls Reserve serves up a smorgasbord of cliff lines, epic pagoda rock formations, and cool ferny gullies. It’s the ultimate playground for trail runners looking for a true-blue adventure in the Aussie bush.

The start is at the Lithgow Pony Club in Sheedys Gully, Lithgow. After a quick 100m burst, turn left and you’re off along the trail for 1km to the Lithgow Parkrun tree. Then it’s time to tackle ‘RoundUp’, a 100m push uphill, a right turn before swinging back past the Event Hub area and following a four-wheel drive track along to a solid 1km climb up ‘Pony Express’ MTB trail to CP1, your first checkpoint.

From CP1, it’s a right turn and time for a short leg downhill on ‘Hassans Walls Road’ to veer left at CP2 (where you can duck into the portaloos if needed) enroute to the West Ridge trails.

Veer left past CP4 and CP5 before rolling into CP6 for a well-earned refuel at the aid station. From there, it’s veer left past CP7, CP8 and onto CP9 to continue the next leg of your Hassans Walls Reserve odyssey.

From CP9, veer right onto ‘Strathlone Ridge’ for a 4km stretch of singletrack MTB trails that weave down through ‘Corney Lower’ and loop back along Corney Slopes, where a water station awaits to quench your thirst. The adventure ramps up as you tackle a 1km single trail up and across ‘Corney Upper’ before conquering Corney Ridge ascent via an 800m four-wheel drive track, eventually returning to CP9.

From CP9, continue straight ahead for a 2.1km journey along West Ridge, passing CP8, CP7, CP6, where an aid station offers a welcome break, then CP5, CP4, and CP2, where toilets and drop bags are available. A right turn at CP1 sets you off on a short but rewarding leg toward Hassans Walls Lookout. This breathtaking spot offers panoramic views of Hartley and Megalong Valleys, the highest lookout vista in the Blue Mountains. After soaking in the scenery, loop back to CP1.

From CP1, take a right onto ‘Hassans Walls Road’ for an easy 2km dirt road run that leads to CP10. Here, turn right and embark on the 1km ‘Ewok Lower’ MTB trail, a path hugging cliff tops with stunning views before descending through a squeeze of rock to CP11, manned by SES traffic controllers with water available. Then, push upward for a 1.2km firetrail climb back up Hassans Walls Road to CP10.

At CP10, turn right for an invigorating 600m run along ‘Ewok Upper’ MTB trail, arriving at CP12 where aid station and drop bags await. Turn right at CP12, run down a dirt road for 1km to reach CP13 where you turn right onto ‘Townhouse Ridge’, a thrilling four-wheel drive/singletrack leading to a 3.8km out-and-back section ending with single-trail ridge nose loop. After completing the loop return back via Townhouse Ridge to CP13.

On returning to CP13, runners will turn right down Bracey Slopes, a 1.1km singletrack MTB trail stretch that showcases views of Lithgow township. This section is both rewarding and challenging, culminating in an ascent via the steps on ‘Bracey Ridge’ trail. Covering another 1.1km runners pass CP13 once more and continue 1km along Norman Henry Drive to CP12.

Arriving at CP12, runners are met with cheers, refuelling opportunities, and the celebratory realisation that no more hills stand in their way. Runners turn right onto ‘Pottery Ridge’ MTB trail, a 900m downhill singletrack gem offering sweeping panoramas in the final stretch. A left turn at the end of Pottery Ridge transitions downhill into the 350m steep ‘Scramble’ trail. Runners take a left turn for the final 900m of the ‘RoundUp’ trail to the Finish line at the lively Event Hub.  

Being 21.1kms in length, this course boasts approximately 890m of elevation gain and loss, making it ideal for trail enthusiasts who relish a blend of real single trails, MTB trails, four-wheel drive tracks, and dirt roads.

With the trail having obtained ITRA Rating and UTMB Index points it open doors for runners aiming to qualify for their dream races. With a generous cut-off time of 9.5 hours, walkers and runners of all abilities can tackle this Aussie bush adventure with confidence and determination.