Snowies Alpine Walk: 4 days self guided

Day 1: Guthega to Charlotte Pass

Distance: 9km
Time suggested: 3 to 3.5 hours 
Toilets at: Guthega Village and Charlotte Pass
Drinking water: Not available
Walk start: Guthega Village
Walk end: Charlotte Pass

Day 1 is the shortest leg and leaves you with enough time to stop in at Snowy Region Visitor Centre before dropping luggage off at your accommodation. Grab a map, hire a PLB, check alerts or ask staff about track conditions and pay your vehicle entry fee if you're using your own car. Once you’re set, make your way to the start of track at Guthega by car or pre-arranged transfer service. Basecamp Cafe at Guthega Mountain Centre is a good place to grab food at Guthega Village, but it's a good idea to check summer opening hours before you arrive.

Your walk starts with views of Guthega Pondage before following the Snowy River. You’ll feel the instant serenity of nature as you walk to the sound of snowmelt and take in fresh mountain air. Hardy sub-alpine plants surround narrow track sections and raised paths to immerse you in the landscape. In summer, wildflowers like yellow billy buttons and snow daisies add life to the unique muted colour palette of the mountains. Within the first hour, the Main Range will start to pop into view which can be snow-capped even in summer.

After about 3km, you’ll reach Spencers Creek Suspension Bridge. At 1627m above sea level, it’s Australia’s highest suspension bridge and allows you to cross while peering into the cascading creek from above. Continue to wind your way up for another 5.5km before reaching the end of day 1 at Charlotte Pass. Meet your transfer provider here to travel to your accommodation.

Download a pdf map for day 1 or the map for Thredbo-Perisher area in the NSW National Parks app. Use the app to see where you are on the map as you walk, even when you're offline and have no mobile reception. Check alerts for this section of Snowies Alpine Walk before you go.

Day 2: Main Range walk

Distance: 22km
Time suggested: 7 to 9 hours 
Toilets at: Charlotte Pass, Rawson Pass and Seamans Hut
Drinking water: Not available
Walk start and end: Charlotte Pass turning circle

Day 2 is challenging but filled with great adventure as you’ll summit Mount Kosciuszko. You'll also cross the Snowy River at Foremans Crossing by rock hopping, so it's important to check local alerts and the weather forecast in case water levels are too high to cross safely. Walking the loop in an anti-clockwise direction is recommended as the river crossing will be at the start of your walk. If you walk the loop clockwise and can't cross due to high water levels, you'll need to backtrack about 19km. Walking anti-clockwise means you’ll only have to backtrack around 800m. 

Pack clothes for all conditions as weather can be unpredictable and it can snow even in summer. You should also have enough water and food for a 7 to 9hr walk with steep sections. The 22km loop starts and ends at Charlotte Pass turning circle. There is very limited parking at the track head so booking a pre-arranged transfer is highly recommended.

Start the walk at the Charlotte Pass track head sign and follow the Main Range walk in an anti-clockwise direction. After about 800m you’ll reach the Snowy River which you’ll need to rock-hop to cross. Take your time to get your footing right and look out for slippery or loose stones.

From there you’ll start to climb and after about 4km, Ramsar-listed Blue Lake will come into view. At the fork, turn left to continue the loop towards the Mount Kosciuszko summit walk junction. This 7.5km leg takes you past Carruthers Peak and Muellers Pass and has a few steep sections. Along the way, you’ll see the glacial waters of Albina Lake nestled in expansive views of the ranges. When you reach the turn-off for the summit walk, consider heading to Rawson Pass if you need a toilet break which is 15 minutes away.

It's about 1km to the summit from the turn off. On a clear day, your reward is an amazing 360-degree outlook of endless mountains with views as far as Victoria and towards the NSW South Coast. The summit is a stunning place to stop to rest and refuel before completing the loop back to Charlotte Pass. Don’t forget to take your rubbish with you.

When you head back down, turn left at Rawson Pass towards Charlotte Pass and after about 20min, you’ll reach Seamans Hut on Etheridge Range. Built in 1928 the hut was built for use as an emergency shelter and is now a popular spot to stop for a picture. Continue for another 6km to return to Charlotte Pass and the end of day 2. Meet your transfer provider to travel to your accommodation.

Download a pdf map for day 2 or the map for Thredbo-Perisher area in the NSW National Parks app. Use the app to see where you are on the map as you walk, even when you're offline and have no mobile reception. Check local alerts for this section of Snowies Alpine Walk before you go.

Day 3: Charlotte Pass Village to Perisher Valley

Distance: 12.7km
Time suggested: 4 to 6 hours 
Toilets at: Charlotte Pass Village and Perisher Valley
Drinking water: Not available
Walk start: Charlotte Pass Village
Walk end: Perisher Valley

Day 3 connects Charlotte Pass Village and Perisher Valley and lets you explore varied landscapes in between. The Charlotte Pass Cafe at Stillwell Lodge is a good place to use the bathroom and grab food, but it's a good idea to check summer operating hours before you go. 

You’ll start walking in the wide-open spaces of high-country plains before hiking up and down ridges and valleys. At high points you’ll see spectacular views of Thredbo Valley and Bullocks Flat below. Looking back, you’ll see a new perspective of the Main Range. After about 9km you’ll reach a junction where you’ll see the granite boulder formation known as Porcupine Rocks to your right.

You can explore Porcupine Rocks to see the views towards Thredbo Valley down to Lake Jindabyne. Take care as rocks may be slippery. Be cautious and avoid getting too close to the edge as there is a sheer drop. From Porcupine Rocks it’s about 3km to Perisher Valley where day 3 ends. Meet your transfer provider at Perisher Valley to travel to your accommodation. 

Download a pdf map for day 3 or the map for Thredbo-Perisher area in the NSW National Parks app. Use the app to see where you are on the map as you walk, even when you're offline and have no mobile reception. Check local alerts for this section of Snowies Alpine Walk before you go.

Day 4: Perisher Valley to Bullocks Flat

Distance: 12km
Time suggested: 4 to 5 hours 
Toilets at: Perisher Valley and Bullocks Flat
Drinking water: Not available
Walk start: Perisher Valley
Walk end: Bullocks Flat

Your final day is worth the wait as you’ll get the chance to explore one of Kosciuszko National Park’s newest trails.

From Perisher Valley, you’ll walk back towards Porcupine Rocks for 350m before taking the left path at the fork. You’ll be surrounded by snow gums with twisted limbs that are warped by wind and snow before reaching a lookout after 3.5km. From here you’ll be able to get an expansive view of Thredbo Valley and the Monaro plains.

The walk is a gentle downhill for about 3km before it switches back and heads down into Thredbo Valley. You’ll walk through towering alpine ash forest and tea tree gullies and along raised platforms through mossy alpine bogs.

You’ll walk along Thredbo River in the final section of the track towards Bullocks Flat. Take in the sounds and serenity of the river against the backdrop of the rocky Ramshead Range. Historic Bullocks Hut sits on the Thredbo River, making it a picturesque pit stop if you have time for a quick detour. It’s about 100m from the track after you cross Thredbo River. Otherwise continue along the track to Bullocks Flat and the end of Snowies Alpine Walk.

Download a pdf map for day 4 or the map for Thredbo-Perisher area in the NSW National Parks app. Use the app to see where you are on the map as you walk, even when you're offline and have no mobile reception. Check local alerts for this section of Snowies Alpine Walk before you go.