Bridle Trail Loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 15 mins

2.9 km Circuit

149 m

Moderate track

This walk starts by heading through Friday Flats and following a signposted track along the grassy open hillside of Thredbo River valley. You follow the loop through an enchanting snow gum forest, enjoying more valley views in places. A peaceful walk, with only a few short hill climbs, and particularly nice when the wildflower are in bloom.

Thredboland intersection at Friday Flats

Looking back to Easy Does it lift from track

Bridge with new intersection being built

Fungus growing from the wall of the track

Looking down the Threbo Valley from the Bridle Loop trail

Covered in snow part of the year

This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, this walk is likely to be covered in snow/ice, visitors should be carrying and be prepared to use snowshoes or cross country skis. When there is a chance of significant snow on the ground, visitors will need particularly strong navigation and snowcraft skills - tracks and signage may not be visible. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.

(0km) Thredboland intersection → Friday Flats

60 m

1 mins

0m Easy track

From the intersection (on Friday Drive about 80m south of the roundabout), this walk follows the driveway up the hill, past 'Thredboland' to come to a large open area, Friday Flat. At the end of the sealed section of driveway is an intersection signposted with a 'Bridle Trail Loop' and a 'Merritts Traverse' sign[1].

Friday Flat

Friday Flat is an open flat area at the Bottom of the Easy-Does-it and Gunbarrel chairlifts. Friday Flat is a hub for beginner and hungry skiers in winter. In summer, all the facilities are closed, but the web cam seems to run most of the time.

(0km) Friday Flats → Bottom of Easy Does it

100 m

2 mins

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bridle Trail Loop' sign[3] across the large clearing[4] of Friday Flats. The walk heads to the bottom of the 'Easy Does It' chairlift[5] on the other side of the clearing.

(0km) Bottom of Easy Does it → Bridge intersection

270 m

6 mins

13m

-9m Moderate track

Turn left: From the bottom of the 'Easy Does It' chairlift[6], this walk heads up the grassy hill then follows the 'Bridle Trail Loop' sign[7] along the track and past the small building[8]. The walk continues on the grassy track along the side of the hill, following a couple of arrow posts[9] over a metal grate[10] then down to an intersection[11] just before a flat bridge[12].

(0km) Bridge intersection → Bridle Loop intersection

400 m

9 mins

18m

-31m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the flat bridge[13] and follows the track that leads over the small rise[14], whilst keeping the main valley to your left. The track leads along the edge of the snow gums and over a few small rises, coming to a large area open area just below the tree line and a 'Y' intersection[15] marked with a 'Bridle Trail Loop' sign[16], just before two metal grates.

(1km) Bridle Loop intersection → Bridle Loop Flat

590 m

12 mins

17m

-29m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bridle Loop Trail' sign[17] east along the lower of the two tracks[18] (keeping the valley to your right, and the other track to your left). The track soon crosses over a metal grate[19] and then comes close to the the upper track again[20] - here the walk stays on the lower track and soon passes another 'Bridle Loop Trail' sign[21] at a solitary snow gum[22]. The track continues along the hillside, enjoying the clear views into the Thredbo River valley[23] (to your right). The track soon enters a snow gum forest[24] and continues to gently wind along the side of the hill, passing a few views to a pondage on Thredbo River[25] (to your right). Passing a few arrow posts[26], the track soon bends left and heads over a hill to a small clearing with some broad-based snow gums[27]. After rain, you may hear the sound of a small cascade nearby - there are also some views back across the valley to the Alpine Way[28].

Bridle Loop Flat

About halfway around the Bridle Trail Loop, at the eastern extreme of the walk, is a small flat clearing. Surrounded by snow gums there is a view across the valley over the Thredbo River to the Alpine Way. In this sheltered spot, you will find a few tree endowed with Old Mans Beard[29] (Usnea australis), a lichen. Like other lichens, this is actually a fungus and an alga living symbiotically. After rain, you can hear a small waterfall not too far away.

(1km) Bridle Loop Flat → Thredboland intersection

1.5 km

35 mins

90m

-80m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the small clearing[31], this walk follows the clear track gently uphill into the forest of taller trees. The trail sweeps left[32], passing an arrow post, and then climbs up through two switchback[33] turns (first right then left). Here, the track continues to climb for a little longer over a rocky section[34]. The track soon flattens out (ignoring the regenerating track to your right[35]) then leads past another arrow post[36] through the snow gum forest[37]. Before long, the trail leaves the forest and the view of the Thredbo Valley opens up[38] (to your left). The track leads across the open hillside (keeping the lower track not far to your left)[39] and crosses a metal grate[40] before coming to a four-way intersection marked by a 'Bridle Trail Loop' sign[41] pointing back along the track.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bridle Trail Loop' track gently uphill (away from the other two tracks) keeping the main valley to your left[42][43]. The track leads up into the snow gums[44] and along the side of the hill, following a few arrow posts that soon lead down and across the flat bridge[45] and to a 'Y' intersection[46].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper track[47] heading east, away from the bridge, keeping the lower track and valley to your left. The track soon leads over a metal grate[48] and follows a couple of arrow post along the side of the hill. Soon after passing a small building[49], the track leads downhill past the 'Bridle Trail Loop' sign[50] and down to the bottom of the 'Easy Does It' chairlift[51].
Turn right: From the bottom of the 'Easy Does It' chairlift[52], this walk heads in front of the buildings across the large clearing of Friday Flats[53]. Just near the bottom on the 'Gunbarrel Express' chairlift[54], this walk comes to an intersection with a trail marked with a couple of signs including a 'Bridle Trail Loop' sign[55] pointing back across Friday Flats.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the driveway down the hill[56], past 'Thredboland'[57] to come to a 'T' intersection[58] with Friday Drive (about 80m south of the roundabout).

Maps for the Bridle Trail Loop walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Perisher Valley	1:25 000 Map Series	85252S PERISHER VALLEY	NSW-85252S
Chimneys Ridge	1:25 000 Map Series	85241N CHIMNEYS RIDGE	NSW-85241N
Kosciuszko	1:100 000 Map Series	8525 KOSCIUSZKO	8525
Jacobs River	1:100 000 Map Series	8524 JACOBS RIVER	8524

Cross sectional view of the Bridle Trail Loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bridle Trail Loop

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	2.9 km
		Time	1 hr 15 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2.1km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 670m has short steep hills. The remaining (200m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

2.3km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 550m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (120m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 1.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.1km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 2.6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 330m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 2.6km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 330m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.1km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bridle Trail Loop walk.

Merritts Traverse

5.8 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk starts with a scenic journey to the top of the hill on the chairlift. Starting along Merritts Nature walk, this walk soon detours down the hill by following a series of signposted management trails and ski runs. The walk visits a few scenic creeks, but the main highlights are the wide view

Total climbing: 167m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Bridle Trail Loop walk.

Meadows Nature Track

3.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This circuit walk offers an enjoyable way of exploring the diverse environments near Thredbo Village. Starting near the centre of town, you will follow the Merritts Nature Track partway up the hill. Then, following the Meadows Nature Track signs, you cross a series of open ski runs before heading ba

Total climbing: 210m

Hard track

Pipeline Path

3.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

Starting from the Village Terminal, this walk leads you past the bobsled then down to Friday Drive and across the Thredbo River. From here, you follow the signposted Pipeline Path, a dirt track, along the hillside. The track leads to the picture-perfect Snowmakers Ponds for a picnic or a dip. Either

Total climbing: 101m

Moderate track

Thredbo to Village Weir return

2.2 km Return, 1 Hr

This short, relaxing walk starts from Thredbo and follows the Merrits Nature Track to the village weir. A great walk for those who enjoy following a well signposted track. The weir is a lovely spot to stop for lunch before the return journey, back down the hill to Thredbo.

Total climbing: 148m

Hard track

Merritts Nature Track

3.7 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk explores the native bushland around the winter skiing area. After riding the Kosciuszko Express chairlift up the hill, arriving near the Eagles Nest restaurant, the walk winds through the snow gum forest, following ski runs and bush tracks back down the hill. The walk passes the popular

Total climbing: 65m

Hard track

Kosciuszko walk - Thredbo to Kosciuszko lookout

3.8 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This scenic walk explores the start of the track heading towards Mt Kosciuszko from the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift. The walk takes you to the Kosciuszko Lookout, following along side the Rams Head Range, along the metal walkway. This walk takes in the views of Thredbo, North Rams Head

Total climbing: 149m

Hard track

Thredbo to Cootapatamba lookout return

7.5 km Return, 3 hrs 45 mins

This walk starts at the Thredbo Village and takes a ride up the Kosciuszko Express chairlift to the Eagles Nest restaurant. Then on foot, you head along the footpath, winding up towards Mt Kosciuszko, passing North Rams Head and the Kosciuszko lookout. The walk soon arrives at the metal platform o

Total climbing: 287m

Hard track

Kosciuszko walk - Thredbo to Mount Kosciuszko

12.4 km Return, 6 hrs

This popular walk starts with a ride up to the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and goes to the top of Mt Kosciuszko. From the top of the chairlift, the walk follows a footpath, passing the Kosciuszko and Cootapatamba lookouts, as it winds up to Rawson Pass. At Rawson Pass, the walk meets t

Total climbing: 459m

Hard track

Dead Horse Gap Loop track

9.8 km Circuit, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts with a ride up the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift. There is an opportunity to eat at Australia's highest restaurant, before heading over the Rams Head Range. After enjoying the spectacular views from the Rams Head Range, the walk drops to Dead Horse Gap, then follows a bush track alon

Total climbing: 144m

Hard track

Riverside and Golf Course Walk

3.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk explores the Thredbo River from the village then loops around the golf course before returning along the roads to the Valley Terminal. You will see some snow gum forests and enjoy the Thredbo River from many angles. Allow some extra time to sit on a rock beside the river and enjoy the trou

Total climbing: 105m

Moderate track

Thredbo River track

4.8 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

Starting from Thredbo Village you wander along a few roads to the Thredbo Golf Course then follow the track as it winds along beside the Thredbo River to the Alpine way just near Dead Horse Gap. You will stroll through some lovely snow gum forests and enjoys views down to the river from the cascades

Total climbing: 224m

Moderate track

Thredbo to Cascades Lookout return

4.7 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk starts at Thredbo and follows the Riverside Track, along the Thredbo River. The walk passes the golf course and heads through the snow gum forest to the Thredbo River cascades lookout. This walk uses a well defined track from the outskirts of Thredbo Village.

Total climbing: 121m

Moderate track

Dead Horse Gap and Thredbo River loop

10.1 km Circuit, 5 hrs

This loop walk starts from Dead Horse Gap and does a large circuit up to the Eagles Nest Restaurant and down the Chairlift before returning along the Thredbo River. Along the walk there are stunning views from the top of the Rams Head Range, before the opportunity for lunch at Australia's Highest Re

Total climbing: 710m

Hard track