Cascade Hut

Download & Print Map and Notes

7 hrs 30 mins

19.6 km Return

797 m

Hard track

Starting near Dead Horse Gap on the Alpine Way, you will follow the wide Cascade Trail past Bobs Ridge to Cascade Hut in the Pilot Wilderness Area. You follow the Thredbo River for a while before heading over Bobs Ridge, enjoying the distant views into Victoria. The walk then explores a few wooded forests before crossing Cascade Creek and then finding Cascade Hut. The hut is a great place to rest or camp.

Looking to the Ramsheads from Cascade Trail

Bridge over the Thredbo River on the Cascade Trail

Looking upstream along the Threbo River from the Cascade trail crossing

Cascade Trail south of the Thredbo River

Cascade Trail at the tree line south of the Threbo River

Snow gums forest along the Cascade Trail

Ice crystal growing from the the Cascade Trail

Views to Victoria from the Cascade Trail

Looking along the southern side of Bobs Ridge

Sweeping views over the Cascade Creek Valley

Grove of Alpine Ash on the Cascade trail

Line of dead snow gums on the Cascade Trail

Cascade trail on the western side of Cascade Creek

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.

Dead Horse Gap

Dead Horse Gap is a relativley low mountain pass in the Great Dividing Range at 1582m AMSL. It was once a meeting place for Aboriginal groups in the summer, where they would perform ceremonies and trade with each other. In nature the pass acts as a funnel for the migration of insects and birds[1]. In the early 20th century, the pass became increasingly popular with stockmen, who brought sheep and cattle to the mountains each summer.[2]

(0km) Cascades Trail track head → North side of Thredbo River Bridge track

2.1 km

44 mins

100m

-48m Hard track

From the car park (on the Alpine Way 5.4km west of Friday Drive), this walk follows the 'Cascade Trail' sign[3] along the management trail and around the locked gate. The trail soon leads past a 'Wilderness Entry' information sign[4] as it winds along the side of the hill, keeping the Thredbo River below[5] and to your right. The trail leads up the side of the hill moderately steeply[6], crossing a few small creeks[7][8] before leading back down to cross another creek, very close to the Thredbo River[9]. Here the trail continues through the valley for about 400m to find an intersection with a track[10] (on the right, leading to a bridge), just before the trail crosses the Thredbo River[11].

(2km) North side of Thredbo River Bridge track → Bobs Ridge

2.7 km

1 hr 4 mins climb

212m

-19m Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the narrow track[12] to cross the Thredbo River on the flat, narrow, metal bridge[13]. Then, a short track leads to an intersection, meeting again with the Cascade Trail[14] (now on the other side of the creek crossing).
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill along the management trail[15], away from the Thredbo River. The trail soon bends left and crosses a smaller creek[16], then winds up out of the valley, passing some short granite tors[17] (on your right). Here the trail bends right and leads up into the snow gum forest. The trail climbs up along the ridge (with a view across the valley to Thredbo behind) and about 900m after entering the snow gum forest, the trail flattens out for a few hundred metres (passing a faint track on your right which leads to a clearing). The trail then begins to climb again and after about 200m, leads through a section of dead snow gums and continues uphill to find a 'Bobs Ridge' sign[18] near a few large granite outcrops (on your right) and some great views.

Bob's Ridge

Bob's Ridge is a highlight along the Cascades Trail. The ridge is signposted[19], and a large granite outcrop is just to the west of the signpost. The rounded boulders vary in shape and size[20]. It is possible to climb up some of the rocks for an even better view. On a clear day, there are expansive views south-west across the Murray River valley into Victoria[21], only 6.5km away. There are many interesting rock formations to enjoy and, if you are quiet, you may see Brumbies that enjoy the grove of trees to the south.

(5km) Bobs Ridge → Cascade Creek Crossing

3.9 km

1 hr 17 mins climb

17m

-345m Hard track

Continue straight: From Bobs Ridge[22], this walk heads south along the management trail gently downhill, initially keeping the granite tors to your right[23]. The trail soon heads across the small valley[24] (ignoring the faint trail on the left[25]) and follows the broad ridge downhill. The trail leads through the lovely snow gum forest[26] with a scattering of granite boulders[27] for about 2.3km, where the trail bends sharply left at a hair-pin bend[28]. Soon after this bend, the trail heads moderately steeply[29] down to cross a valley with a grove of tall Alpine Ash trees[30]. After crossing the small creek[31], the trail leads along the side of the hill though a run of dead alpine ash and snow gums[32]. The trail then leads down two short but steep sections[33], leaving the trees to come to an intersection[34] just before Cascade Creek[35].

(9km) Cascade Creek Crossing → Cascade Hut intersection

980 m

19 mins

38m

-7m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the creek using the flat metal bridge[36] (just upstream of the main crossing[37]), marked with a solitary snow gum. The walk then turns left and follows the management trail beside the creek[38] for about 80m before bending right around a rock outcrop[39] and heading up to the tree line. The trail then heads briefly through some snow gums before leading along the side of the hill below the tree line for a while[40]. Then about 300m after entering the next lot of snow gums[41], the trail bends right (leaving the main valley), coming to an intersection with a grassy management trail[42] (on your left).

(10km) Cascade Hut intersection → Cascade Hut

110 m

2 mins

-11m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads south, downhill along the grassy management trail[43], away from the main trail. The trail leads through the trees and soon comes to a clearing[44] and Cascade Hut[45].

Cascade Hut

Cascade Hut was built by Bill Nankervis and other stock-men in 1935 to assist with their grazing. This hut is made from horizontal slabs of wood[46], with the roof and floor having been upgraded over the years. There is a wooden sleeping platform[47] and fireplace[48] inside. There is good camping around the hut, with flat fields, a large fire scar with bench seating[49], a toilet [50] and plenty of brumbies[51] to add interest. Cascade Hut is maintained by Ilawarra Alpine Club. More info.

Maps for the Cascade Hut 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.

Chimneys Ridge	1:25 000 Map Series	85241N CHIMNEYS RIDGE	NSW-85241N
Jacobs River	1:100 000 Map Series	8524 JACOBS RIVER	8524

Cross sectional view of the Cascade Hut bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cascade Hut

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	19.6 km
		Time	7 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
		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

Around 9km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 1.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 1.1km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 4.9km has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

7km of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience and another 2.2km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (110m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 10km of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 110m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 10km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 110m 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 Cascade Hut walk.

Bob's Ridge Trail

9.7 km Return, 4 hrs

Starting near Dead Horse Gap on the Alpine Way, you will follow the wide Cascade Trail upstream along the Thredbo River. After crossing the river, you will follow the trail through snow gum forests to the signposted Bobs Ridge. From the rocky outcrops at Bobs Ridge, there are great views west over t

Total climbing: 379m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Cascade Hut walk.

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

Dead Horse Gap to Cascades Lookout return

4.1 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

This enjoyable walk starts at Dead Horse Gap, the highest point on the Alpine Way. The walk follows the Riverside track downstream, along the Thredbo River, through the valley and the snow gum forest to the cascades lookout. This walk follows a well defined track and, although close to the road, yo

Total climbing: 135m

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