National Park Southern Kosciuszko Walking Tracks
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Kosciuszko National Park Southern Kosciuszko Photo: Murray Vanderveer Walking tracks WALS K IN THE ALPINE AREA Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake Lookout: 05 Kosciuszko Walk Grade 4 5km one-way When the winter snow melts you will 5km one-way – 2 hours discover an ancient landscape worn down The Main Range Track and Summit Walk are Plan with weather and track conditions in mind by millions of years of wind rain and ice and linked as a loop walk. During spring, walk where summer wildflowers now thrive. Be the Main Range Track as described below. If Very steep; formed track; clearly sign-posted; no experience required; many steps. prepared though as snow can fall at any the stepping stones across the Snowy River time of year covering the tracks and bringing are covered this walk is not recommended. cold conditions. Thredbo to: After rock-hopping across the Snowy River Kosciuszko Lookout – 2km one-way Grade 2 below Charlotte Pass, the track climbs 01 Snow Gums Boardwalk Rawson Pass – 5km one-way through alpine herbfields past Hedley Tarn Mt Kosciuszko – 6.4km one-way 400 metre loop – 15 mins Lookout to Blue Lake Lookout. This summer only track begins at the top Gentle hills; formed track; clearly sign posted; It then climbs Carruthers Peak which of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift at no experience required; many steps provides spectacular views to the west. It Thredbo (cost applies). It runs beside the continues along the exposed ridge of the rocky outcrops of Rams Head Range and This summer walk starts at Charlotte Pass Main Range above Club Lake and Lake passes through alpine herbfields and heath lookout. You will see many of Australia’s Albina until it meets the Summit Walk to Kosciuszko Lookout. It then crosses the highest peaks and learn how climate affects between Rawson Pass and Mt Kosciuszko. headwaters of the Snowy River, climbs to alpine life. The boardwalk traverses Turn right to climb Kosciuszko before a saddle above Lake Cootapatamba and sub-alpine woodland on the Guthrie Range. returning via the old road to Charlotte Pass continues past Etheridge Range to (see Summit Walk and Trail). Rawson Pass. 02 Grade 3 Mt Stilwell Walk It is then a gradual climb for a further 1.4km 04 Summit Walk Grade 3 3.8km loop – 2 hours (40 mins) one-way along the Summit Walk Plan with weather and track conditions in mind 9km one-way – 3 hours up to Mt Kosciuszko’s summit. Return to Plan with weather and track conditions in mind Short steep hills; formed track, some obstacles; Thredbo along the same tracks. clearly sign posted; no experience required; Short steep hills; formed track; clearly sign many steps. posted; no experience required; occasional 06 Grade 4 steps. Dead Horse Gap Track Charlotte Pass to lookout : 5km one-way – 2 hours 850 metres one-way Charlotte Pass to: Plan with weather and track conditions in mind Snowy River – 4.5km one-way During summer, walk from the turning circle Very steep; formed track, some obstacles; Seaman’s Hut – 6km one-way clearly sign-posted; some bushwalking at Charlotte Pass or take the chairlift from Rawson Pass – 7.6km one-way experience recommended; many steps. Charlotte Pass Village during peak periods Mt Kosciuszko – 9km one-way (cost applies). The lookout at the top of This summer only walk is best begun from Kangaroo Ridge Chairlift has views of the This summer only walk or mountain bike the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift Main Range and Mt Kosciuszko. The walk to ride passes through snow gums, heath and (cost applies). The track passes through Mt Stilwell from the here is currently along herbfields and has extensive views of the alpine herbfields and heath below the an undefined route. Return the same way. Main Range. The trail follows the old road craggy peaks of the Rams Head Range. to Mt Kosciuszko. In 1976 the NPWS closed 03 Main Range Walk Grade 4 the road to public vehicles because of It then winds down a ridge through snow safety and environmental concerns. 22km loop – 8 hours gums until the Thredbo River is reached near Dead Horse Gap on the Alpine Way. Plan with weather and track conditions in mind After crossing the Snowy River the track You can then follow the Thredbo River Track climbs gradually to Rawson Pass. From Very steep; formed track, some obstacles; (see Alpine Way Walks) to Thredbo. clearly sign posted; some bushwalking here, walk to Mt Kosciuszko’s summit. experience recommended. KO SCIUSZKO ROAD WALKS 10 Rennix Trail Grade 3 GUTHEGA ROAD WALKS The first three walks listed below are 13km loop – 5 hours The cultural heritage of the Snowy suitable all year. The higher you go though, Mountains comes alive in this area. You will the more chance snow will cover the track Gentle hills; formed track, some obstacles; clearly sign-posted; some bushwalking discover historic huts previously used for during the winter months – always check experience recommended; occasional steps. grazing, the hydro-electric scheme and with one of our visitor centres before setting ski-touring set among snowgums. out on your walk. This walk through sub-alpine woodland provides views over the Snowy River to the 14 Illawong Walk Grade 3 Grade 3 07 Sawpit Walk west and Lake Jindabyne to the east. There 5km loop – 3 hours 2km loop – 1 hour are some steep sections. Plan with weather and track conditions in mind Gentle hills; formed track, some obstacles; Turn back at the Snowy Hydro radio clearly sign-posted; no experience required; repeater tower and return the same way. Short steep hills; formed track, some obstacles; ocassional steps. clearly sign-posted; some bushwalking experience recommended; many steps. This walk may be covered by snow during You can start this walk from the southern winter – contact one of our visitor centres. Starting from Guthega Village, this is an end of the Kosciuszko Education Centre or intimate summer only walk following the from the Sawpit Creek picnic area. 11 Rainbow Lake Trail Grade 3 Snowy River Valley through alpine heath and majestic snow gums to one of the oldest The track follows Sawpit Creek downstream 3km loop – 1 hour buildings in the park – Illawong Hut (formerly through woodland. The thick shrub growing Short steep hills; formed track, some obstacles; Pounds, Pounds Creek, Tin Hut 1). beside the creek is predominantly woolly clearly sign-posted; some bushwalking tea tree. After about one kilometre, a track experience recommended; ocassional steps. Grade 5 junction is reached. The Sawpit Track takes 15 Schlink Hut Overnight Walk a sharp turn to the right while the Pallaibo Begins at Dainer’s Gap downhill from the 22km loop – 2 days Track continues following the creek. The chainbay on the left side of the road towards Sawpit Track climbs back to the Kosciuszko Perisher from Sawpit Creek, 1.7km past Plan with weather and track conditions in mind Mountain Retreat (cabins/camping area). Sponar’s Chalet. The walk winds through Very steep; formed track, some obstacles; no Walk through this complex to return to the snowgrass and snow gums to Rainbow directional signage; experienced bushwalkers; occasional steps. picnic area. Lake. Return the same way. The lake is created by a dam which was 08 Pallaibo Walk Grade 3 Munyang (1320m above sea level) to: built to supply water to the Hotel Kosciusko. Horse Camp Hut (1560m) – 4km one-way 5.6km one-way – 2 hours Sponar’s Chalet had been the staff quarters White’s River Hut – 8km one-way for the hotel which was built in 1909 and Short steep hills; formed track; clearly sign Schlink Hut (1780m) – 11km one-way posted; some bushwalking experience burnt down in 1951. The old fences near a recommended; many steps large boulder just before you descend to the Take maps Geehi Dam 1:25 000, lake are a reminder of the period when this Scammells Lookout 1:25 000 and This track starts at the Sawpit Creek picnic area was leased for grazing. Youngal 1:25 000 OR area and finishes at Thredbo River picnic Rooftop’s Jindabyne–Khancoban This walk may be covered by snow during area. Most visitors arrange to be picked up winter – contact one of our visitor centres. From the Guthega Power Station (Munyang) from the Thredbo River picnic area. the road zig-zags steeply for about 2.7km. Take care as vehicles may use this road to The first part of the walk follows the Sawpit 12 Porcupine Walk Grade 3 service infrastructure. After another 1.3km Track. When the Sawpit Track branches off 5km loop – 1 hour 40mins to the right, continue along the creek down an unmarked track to the left leads to Horse past two small cascades (locally known as Short steep hills; formed track, some obstacles; Camp Hut – built in 1950s by the Snowy Sawpit Falls and Charlie’s Cascades). clearly sign-posted; some bushwalking Mountains Authority to house surveyors experience recommended; ocassional steps. and abandoned in the 1960s. This is a good As the track drops down towards Thredbo place to camp overnight if starting late. You River it crosses former grazing land. This summer walk starts at the Perisher will need to take you own tent though as Valley reservoir. To reach the start of huts are now for emergency use only. After crossing Sawpit Creek the track the track, turn left beside the Man from follows the river downstream to the picnic From here it is approximately 4km to White’s Snowy River Hotel if you’re heading up area. River Hut – built as a shepherds hut in the mountains, take the first turn right and 1934 then used by ski tourers.