Why a guide has been slammed over videos promoting Blue Mountains
A local guide has been slammed over a series of videos promoting a 'dangerous' walking trail in the Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountains Explore came under fire after posting to Instagram a series of videos at Hanging Rock in Blackheath, west of Sydney.
One showed two bushwalkers standing on the narrow edge of a cliff that hangs over the valley, while another showed hikers jumping a perilous gap along the trail.
The group is best known for their award-winning guidebooks which include tips and suggestions on where to visit, however its latest videos have sparked outrage.
Social media users accused them of promoting a dangerous trail, warning it could lead many visitors to risk their lives.
'You guys should avoid promoting this... so many people have died at this spot,' one wrote.
'Stop showing people walking to the edge of cliffs unless your business is happy to contribute to funeral expenses and rescue helicopter services,' another added.
'Pretty bloody reckless as a visual branding piece,' a third commented.
Blue Mountains Explore, best known for their award-winning guidebooks, shared a video which shows two bushwalkers standing on the narrow cliff edge
The second video showed a man measuring the gap that hikers must 'clear' to make it to the end of the trail.
He could be seen using a tape measure, before saying 'the safe length to jump, to clear the gap, is 1.6metres'.
The video has attracted almost half-a-million views since it was shared on Instagram last month.
Many of those were unamused, saying the video encouraged people to consider jumping.
'Wouldn't want to miss the jump, Westpac helicopter will be retrieving you,' one wrote.
'I get nervous just watching this,' another added.
'This looks like a horrible accident waiting to happen... this gives me the shivers,' a third commented.
'Death by misadventure is real. Please don't post these… as a mum of impressionable teenage boys this kinda thing terrifies me,' another wrote.
In another video posted on the page, a man could be seen measuring the 1.6metre gap which hikers must 'clear' to make it to the popular scenic spot
The page responded to the backlash, saying they 'don't see the issue'.
'Promoting this is actually educational… important for people to be aware,' they wrote on Instagram.
Blue Mountains Explore maintained that it is important to know your limits and stay safe.
'Doing something you're not comfortable with can lead to an accident. It's best to be cautious if unsure or uncomfortable,' they wrote.
Every year around 130 bushwalkers get lost or need rescuing in the Blue Mountains, according to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS).
Through a partnership with NSW Police, the NPWS developed Think Before You TREK, a bush safety initiative to help bushwalkers plan ahead.
Daily Mail Australia contacted NSW Police, NPWS and Blue Mountains Explore for comment.
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