The Best Season For Alpine Hiking

AUTUMN is the perfect season to explore Kosciuszko National Park and our alpine region has endless options to explore. With temperatures on the cooler side and the march flies less annoying, strap on the hiking boots and venture out.

Snowies Alpine Walk

The Snowies Alpine Walk is a $27 million project involving multiple stages to create a multi-day world class walk across the alpine roof of Australia. On completion it will link Thredbo, Charlotte Pass, Perisher, Guthega and Lake Crackenback. The stage 2 section of Charlotte Pass to Guthega has been hugely popular since its opening in 2022. The 9km each way walk follows the contours of the Snowy River with a highlight being the Spencers Creek suspension bridge at the confluence of the Snowy River and Spencers Creek. At 1640m above sea level it is the highest suspension bridge in Australia. Walkers can start either end with breathtaking scenery at every turn. Closer to Guthega you also see the Illawong suspension bridge, with this section of walkway being upgraded in the past 12 months. If you could arrange a car drop you would only have to walk one way.

to Perisher via Porcupine Rocks is approaching the finish stage in early autumn and will allow walkers the opportunity to see a vastly di erent landscape on the 9.8km walk. Stage 1 was the upgrade of sections of the Main Range Track, a 22km loop from Charlotte Pass Lookout that also takes in Blue Lake. This track is a 7-9 hour hike and you would require a good level of fitness.

The final stage from Perisher to Lake Crackenback has commenced to install rock paving and elevated steel mesh boardwalks to protect sensitive habitats in the sub-alpine and montane areas. This stage is expected to be completed next summer and by all accounts from trail builders will be awesome.

Rainbow Lake

This short 2.5km return hike is ideal for the family, the sparkling Rainbow Lake your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. One beauty of this walk is its lower elevation being more sheltered from weather.

Depending on time of year wildflowers may be blooming as you meander among the snowgums. On reaching the lake you can wander to the water’s edge and it is the ideal picnic area for the friends and family. Look for signposts on Kosciuszko Road at Dainers Gap.

New Thredbo Valley Track Extension

The new extension of the TVT is perfect for a short hike or ride, especially for young families. Located near Jindabyne, you can start at either Gaden Trout Hatchery or the Thredbo River Picnic Area on Kosciuszko Road. Both areas have nice picnic areas. At only 1.5km each way, bring the bikes or take a stroll and see spectacular views of the Thredbo River rapids from the elevated walkway. The wide path winds its way through bushland with many scenic sections.

Yarrangobilly Caves

Plan your day and allow time to arrive early as there is much to see and do here in northern Kosciuszko National Park. Apart from the exciting caves to explore, stroll the scenic river walk to the thermal pool which has BBQ facilities and is an ideal lunch venue. The thermal pool is heated to 27 degrees year-round. Book ahead for guided tours to Jillabenan and Jersey Cave or purchase tickets for the South Glory Cave self-guided tour where you can stroll at your own pace and admire nature at its finest. Bring your own food and drinks as the visitor centre only have minimal snacks.

EXPLORE

Walk To Mount Kosciuszko Summit

AUSTRALIA’S highest mountain at 2228m above sea level, Mount Kosciuszko may well seem daunting for those unaware of the process. But when you consider it’s as easy as following a path all the way to the summit, the task is very achievable. There are a few considerations for planning, the key one being check the weather which at altitude is vastly di erent to the valley below, particularly with wind. You will need outdoor essentials for protection, plus pack your lunch, snacks and water, there’s no café awaiting your order on the route. Once you depart you are in somewhat remote territory, so you need to be selfsu cient.

Hiking from Thredbo

4-6 hours

The easiest and shortest route is from Thredbo, where you need to purchase a lift ticket for the chair ride and then walk 6.5km each way from the top of Thredbo. Fifteen minutes on the chair allows for your first does of sight-seeing, and it will continue all the way to the summit. The path is a mix of paved rockwork and raised meshed walkway, all designed to protect the environment you are in and limit any erosion from the hundreds of thousands of people who make the trek annually. Points of interest worth stopping for are the Kosciuszko Lookout, about halfway, where you can see the summit in the distance. Along the route you will encounter wildflowers and running streams, and the spectacular Lake Cootapatamba not far from the summit. A snack break here to take in the scenery is advised, and to spot the significant red Cootapatamba Hut in the distance.

Hiking From Charlotte Pass Lookout

6-8 hours

The hike from Charlotte Pass Lookout is longer at 9.3km each way so you will need to allow more time. Park where you can near the lookout and then look for signage at the turning circle. This is also the starting point for the Main Range Track, Blue Lake walk and Snowies Alpine Walk to Guthega.

Here you follow the gravel Summit Road which is also used by mountain bike riders enroute to Rawson Pass. On this route you cross over the Snowy River at one of its highest points, and if you consider it reaches the ocean at Marlo in Victoria, it has a long way to travel.

You will encounter a steeper rise on the road approaching Seamans Hut in the distance. This iconic rock hut is a must do photo stop and an ideal place to pause and catch your breath. The scenery on the road to Seamans Hutt is totally di erent to that coming from Thredbo.

Rawson Pass and Summit

Both routes meet at Rawson Pass where you have Australia’s highest toilet, and always advisable to take advantage of these facilities. You still have another 1.6km of hiking to the top, so another great spot to rest. This autumn the National Parks are doing upgrades to the summit area for easier accessibility, so you will encounter a possible detour and ongoing works.

X-COUNTRY

Visitor Information

Snowy Mountains Magazine snowymagazine.com.au

Snowy Mountains snowymountains.com.au

Adaminaby visitadaminaby.com.au

Berridale www.snowymagazine.com.au

/berridale-dalgety

Bombala www.snowymagazine.com.au

/bombala-delegate

Charlotte Pass charlottepass.com.au

Delegate delegate.nsw.au

Cooma visitcooma.com.au

1800 636 525

Corryong towong.vic.gov.au

Dalgety www.snowymagazine.com.au

/berridale-dalgety

Jindabyne

Snowy Region Visitor Centre nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

02 6450 5600 destinationjindabyne.org.au

Khancoban (NPWS)

02 6070 8400 visitsnowyvalleys.com.au

Lake Crackenback Resort lakecrackenback.com.au

Perisher perisher.com.au

Thredbo thredbo.com.au

1300 020 589

Tumbarumba 02 6948 3333 visitsnowyvalleys.com.au

Tumut Region

NPWS Visitor Centre 02 6947 7025 visitsnowyvalleys.com.au

ROADS AND RESCUE

Emergency 000

Cooma Police 02 6452 0099

Jindabyne Police 02 6456 2244

RTA Road conditions 132 701

LAOKO Wildlife Rescue 02 6456 1313

Snowy Mountains

Touring Map also available on website snowymagazine.com.au