Charlotte Pass to Village Lookdown

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

2.4 km Return

215 m

Hard track

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.

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.

Charlotte Pass Village

Charlotte Pass is a small village consisting mostly of resorts and hotels, and a number of neighbouring ski runs. This small township is located a stone's throw from the end of Kosciuszko Road, where the turning circle and public toilets were put in place after the last stretch of the road (that winds down across the Snowy River and up to Rawsons Pass via Seamans Hut) was closed to public vehicles. More info.

(0km) Bottom of Kangaroo Ridge chairlift → Int of Dam and Village Lookdown tracks

240 m

6 mins

27m

0m Easy track

From the bottom of the chairlift, this walk follows the management trail, heading west up the steep grassy hill, parallel to the chairlift. The trail turns away from the lift and comes to the intersection of the Village Lookdown track.

(0km) Int of Dam and Village Lookdown tracks → Charlotte Pass Dam

150 m

4 mins

17m

-1m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the faint grassy management trail, winding south-west up the hill and alongside the creek. The walk follows the snow poles as it winds up the hill to the small dam above Charlotte Pass village. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp right.

Charlotte Pass Dam

Charlotte Pass Dam is a relatively small store of water in the upper reaches of Spencers Creek, and a short stroll south from the Charlotte Pass village.

(0km) Int of Dam and Village Lookdown tracks → Village Lookdown saddle

900 m

32 mins

184m

-1m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads south down the short hill, crossing over a metal pipe[1] following the narrow track. The walk then crosses the creek (where you can see the remains of an old timber bridge) to follow the narrow track as it winds up the side of the ridge, through a thick snowgum forest[2] for about 500m. The walk crosses a line of snowpoles about halfway up the hill, and continues to the saddle at the top of the rocky ridge line[3], about 300m after leaving the snowgum forest.

(1km) Village Lookdown saddle → Village Lookdown

80 m

1 mins

-3m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads east gently uphill, passing what appears to be the remains of a demolished ski lift[4] for about 80m to come to a rocky outcrop on the side of the ridge with views north into the valley (and to the Main Range)[5], known as Charlotte Pass village lookdown[6].

Charlotte Pass Village Lookdown

The Charlotte Pass village lookdown is located on the ridge line east of Mt Stilwell, where the remains of what appears to be an old Tbar lift leading down into the valley to the south are located. From the lookdown you can also see all the way across to the tall cliffs behind Blue Lake and to Mt Twynam in the distance.

Maps for the Charlotte Pass to Village Lookdown 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 Village Lookdown bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Charlotte Pass to Village Lookdown

Altitude analysis for Charlotte Pass to Village Lookdown

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	2.4 km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		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	Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 900m of this walk is very steep, whilst the remaining 320m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

900m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 240m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (85m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

900m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 240m is clearly signposted. The remaining (85m) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

900m of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 240m requires no previous bushwalking experience. The remaining (85m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 980m of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 240m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

900m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 240m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (85m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Charlotte Pass to Village Lookdown walk.

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 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 Village Lookdown walk.

Charlotte Pass to Mt Stilwell return

3.8 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

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 lo

Total climbing: 203m

Hard track

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

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

Bullock's track - via Bullock's Hut

5.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs

This walk explores some of the history and beauty along the Thredbo River around Bullocks Flat. Starting from the Thredbo Diggings campsite, you will follow the clearly signposted Bullocks Track though the scattering of snow gums and granite boulders to Bullocks Hut, before returning to the campsit

Total climbing: 110m

Moderate track