Bushwalking enthusiast and formative member of the Southern Highlands Bushwalkers Club Robert Sloss spent about five years clearing and marking 55 kilometres of dense scrub to complete the Ensign Barralier Walk.

The walk was named after French national Francis Luis Barralier who was the first European settler in Australia to explore the bushland between Mittagong and Katoomba.

Mr Sloss largely targeted bushland from Lake Alexandra in Mittagong through the Nattai Valley, over the Wanganderry Walls, along the Wollondilly River and on to Yerranderie.

The trek continued from Yerranderie to Katoomba along fire trails that had already been established. The project began in 1984 and continued until 1989, including several off-shoot tracks along the way.

The most recent addition to the track was the creation of a new starting point from Mount Waratah off Wombeyan Caves Road at Mittagong.

Mr Sloss has created several other small walking tracks in the Southern Highlands and has published eight books to guide bushwalking enthusiasts along the tracks.

He said his aim was to give people a chance to see the “magnificent scenery” found in bushland throughout much of the Southern Highlands.

But he is quick to concede that the Mittagong to Katoomba walk nearly didn’t happen.

“I cleared only 200 metres of bushland on the first day and walked away convinced that I wouldn’t go back,’’ he said.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, May 12