Charlotte Pass to Mt Stilwell return

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 45 mins

3.8 km Return

203 m

Hard track

This enjoyable walk starts from the end of Kosciuszko Rd, Charlotte Pass, and follows the ridgeline, on the western side of the village, up to the top of Mt Stilwell. The walk passes the Tbar and Chairlift stations along the way. This walk follows a clear track to the top, and is great for those looking for a short walk with some great views.

Mt Stilwell Track head at Charlotte Pass

Looking to Charelotte Pass from the Mt Stilwell Tracl

Track leading in front of historic ski lift

Views down over the Charlotte Pass Village

Track looking towards Kangaroo Ridge chairlift

Kangaroo Ridge looking up to Mt Stilwell

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 carry 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. Between the long weekend in June and October, the road between Perisher Village and Charlotte Pass is closed by the RTA. It is possible to organise oversnow transport.

(0km) End of Kosciuszko Road → Top of Pulpit Tbar

180 m

4 mins

22m

0m Moderate track

From just uphill of toilet block[1] (at the end of Kosciuszko Rd), this walk follows the wide dirt management trail[2], initially keeping the toilet block to your right. The trail soon leads to a small clearing where the walk turns left following the 'Mt Stilwell' sign[3] along the narrower track[4]. The track soon bends left and follows the side of the hill, heading up the series of stone steps[5], keeping the valley to your left. Approximately 130m from the sign, the track comes to an intersection under the cables at the top of the Pulpit Tbar[6].

(0km) Top of Pulpit Tbar → Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lookout platform

650 m

13 mins

61m

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the top of the Tbar[7], the walk follows the clear track up the ridge line towards the rusty ruins of an old ski lift[8]. The track soon passes in front of the old lift[9] and then continues to climb up a series of stone steps winding between the granite boulders and snow gums[10]. The track enjoys wide views down over Charlotte Pass village to your left[11]. The track continues up to come a metal platform and lookout[12] (on your right) just near the top of the Kangaroo Ridge Chairlift[13].

Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lookout platform

At the top of the Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lies a steel platform. This partially fenced lookout offers broad views to the north-west over the Snowy River valley and across the Main Range. From the chairlift, there are also views down to Charlotte Pass Village[14].

(1km) Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lookout platform → Mt Stilwell

1.1 km

22 mins

119m

-1m Hard track

Continue straight: From the Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lookout platform[15], this walk heads south, behind the chairlift station[16][17] and along the grassy track[18], keeping Charlotte Pass village to your left. The track leads up between some granite boulders and becomes much clearer again. Here the track winds gently uphill and up a series of stone steps[19] before heading down across a valley and over two small metal grate bridges[20]. About 100m after the second metal grate the track leads to a rocky and boggy hollow[21]. From here the track narrows[22] and starts to round Mt Stilwell (to your right). The track continues to bend right to the side of Stilwell saddle (where you can see down to the snow poles on your left). Here the fainter track leads almost straight up the side of Mt Stilwell[23] heading for the rocky summit marked with a metal trig[24]. Near the top the walk climbs over the granite boulders[25] to find the summit[26] and the impressive 360 degree view.

Mt Stilwell

At approximately 2040m above sea level, Mt Stilwell is the highest peak in the ridge line winding around the southern side of Charlotte Pass village. With arguably one of the best views in the Kosciusko National Park, Mt Stilwell's peak looks down at the village, and out across the main range to Headley Tarn, Blue Lake and Mt Twynam, and the Snowy River. There is also the lower half of an old trig point located at the peak which, when whole, was used for navigation.

Maps for the Charlotte Pass to Mt Stilwell return 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
Kosciuszko	1:100 000 Map Series	8525 KOSCIUSZKO	8525

Cross sectional view of the Charlotte Pass to Mt Stilwell return bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Charlotte Pass to Mt Stilwell return

Altitude analysis for Charlotte Pass to Mt Stilwell return

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	3.8 km
		Time	1 hr 45 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		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

Around 1.2km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 650m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

1.1km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 650m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (180m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 1.1km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 830m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 1.1km of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 830m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.9km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 1.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 830m 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 Charlotte Pass to Mt Stilwell return walk.

Charlotte Pass Village and Mt Stilwell loop

4.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

This loop walk starts at Charlotte Pass, and winds up to Mt Stilwell's peak, with stunning views in every direction. The walk then goes along the ridge line to the village lookdown, near the demolished Tbar station, before returning to the village through the snow gum forest. There is an optional s

Total climbing: 295m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Charlotte Pass to Mt Stilwell return walk.

Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Rawson Pass

15.2 km Return, 5 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts at the end of the road at Charlotte Pass, and follows the Old Kosciuszko Road as it winds through the mountains to Rawson Pass. The walk passes the well known Snowy River and Seamans Hut. Rawson Pass is at the foot of Australia's highest mountain, and there are great views along th

Total climbing: 461m

Hard track

Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Seamans Hut

12 km Return, 4 hrs 30 mins

This nice walk starts from Charlotte Pass and follows the old Kosciuszko Road through the mountains to Seamans Hut, crossing the famous Snowy River along the way. Seamans Hut is a great place to enjoy lunch and is openly available for day use (and for emergency use at night). Most of this walk gives

Total climbing: 332m

Hard track

Charlotte Pass to Thredbo via Rawson Pass

12.2 km One way, 5 hrs

Starting at Charlotte Pass, this walk follows the Summit Walk, along the old Kosciuszko Road, as it crosses the Snowy River and passes Seamans Hut. The walk then makes its way to Rawsons Pass, where there is the optional side trip to the top of Mt Kosciuszko. From here, the walk follows the metal

Total climbing: 431m

Hard track

Summit walk - Charlotte Pass to Mount Kosciuszko - Summit Trail

18.5 km Return, 6 hrs

This popular walk starts at Charlotte Pass and follows the Old Kosciuszko Road, as it winds through the mountains, to Rawsons Pass, then continues to the top of Kosciuszko. The walk passes the well known Snowy River and Seamans Hut. From Rawsons Pass it is a fairly short walk up the footpath to Mt

Total climbing: 611m

Hard track

Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Snowy River

9 km Return, 3 hrs

Starting at the end of the road at Charlotte Pass, this walk follows the old Kosciuszko Road towards the main range, stopping at the bridge over the Snowy River. At this point the Snowy River is still in its infancy, as is starts its long journey to the ocean in Victoria. The walk follows a well d

Total climbing: 237m

Hard track

Main Range Track - Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake

9.3 km Return, 4 hrs

This walk starts from the end of Kosciuszko Road, at Charlotte Pass, and follows the signposted Main Range Track to the Blue Lake lookout. The walk crosses the famous Snowy River along the way. The Blue Lake lookout is located a short walk down sidetrack and provides stunning views of the lake. The

Total climbing: 542m

Hard track

Main Range Track - Charlotte Pass to the Snowy River return

1.6 km Return, 45 mins

This walk starts at the end of Kosciuszko Road, Charlotte Pass, and follows a paved footpath down, between lightly scattered snow gums, to the bottom of the valley, where it comes to the famous Snowy River. The Foremans Hut ruins can be found along the optional side trip described in the notes.

Total climbing: 123m

Hard track

Main Range Walk - Charlotte Pass to Mount Kosciuszko

21.9 km Circuit, 9 hrs

This full day walk explores some of the greatest alpine country on offer in NSW. The walk grants views of Blue, Club and Albina Lakes, climbs to the top of Mt Kosciuszko and crosses the famous Snowy River twice. This main range circuit is one of the classic walks in New South Wales, as the views in

Total climbing: 920m

Hard track

Main Range Track - Loop from Charlotte Pass camping near Mt Townsend

27.7 km Circuit, 2 Days

This great overnight walk starts from Charlotte Pass and provides access to some of the best sights around the Kosciuszko National Park. Just a few of the features along this walk include reaching the summits of the two tallest peaks in Australia, looking down on some glacial lakes and crossing the

Total climbing: 1260m

Experienced only

Snow Gums Boardwalk

374 m Return, 15 mins

This short walk starts at Charlotte Pass and follows a stone path, then boardwalk, discovering snow gums and two great lookouts. The first lookout provides great views west, up the Snowy River and Club Lake Creek to the Main Range and Australia's highest peaks. The next lookout is high on a rocky

Total climbing: 15m

Moderate track

Charlotte Pass to Village Dam

778 m Return, 30 mins

This short, leisurely walk starts at the bottom of the Kangaroo Ridge Triple Chairlift, just on the edge of the village. The walk follows the faint grassy service trail around the edge of the great snow gum forest to the small dam in Spencers Creek, not far from the village. This is a great walk fo

Total climbing: 45m

Moderate track

Charlotte Pass to Village Lookdown

2.4 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This is a fun walk, starting from the bottom of the Kangaroo Ridge Triple Chairlift, and following the management trail and bush track up the side of the ridge through a great snowgum forest to the top, where it comes to the village lookdown, near an old demolished Tbar station.

Total climbing: 215m

Hard track