Guthega River Snowshoe

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

3.3 km Return

115 m

Hard track

This pleasant snowshoe walk starts from the car park at Guthega. You will wander down the gently hill following a wide trail, then cross Guthega Dam wall. There are great views over the pondage as you continue along the snow covered trail past Guthega Shaft. The flat trail soon ends and the more challenging walking starts as you make your way along the side of Guthega River valley, gently leading down to the edge of the river. A little upstream is a small timber bridge. Do not walk on or anywhere near the ice on the pondage - the water level often changes and the ice will not hold your weight.

Good reminder to stay well clear of the ice

Walking on the side of Guthega River valley

Guthega River Bridge not covered in snow

Share the Snow

Here are some tips to help you share the snow with skiers. Please avoid snowshoeing on ski trails, whether groomed or ungroomed - it is fine to walk right next to the ski trail. When crossing a ski trail, please do so in a single file and on a flat, more visible, section. These tips aim to minimise trail ruts and collisions. Visit Wilderness Sports for snowshoe hire.

Guthega

Guthega is a relatively small township, north of Perisher, and comprises mostly of hotel and lodge-style buildings. The most popular service in town is the Guthega Alpine Inn, open year round. The town is remote and access is by an all-weather dirt road. There are great views over the main range and the Guthega Pondage (part of the Snowy River Scheme). Guthega offers a great place to ski in winter, and to holiday in summer. In summer, there is plenty of walking, mountain biking, fishing and relaxing to be done. Walkers please note - there is no public water supply in the township, please fill water bottle before coming (or be willing treat and use the creek water).

Winter only route

This walk follows an over-snow only route. During the warmer months, this walk crosses important and sensitive bogs that can be significantly damaged, even by light footed walkers. Please only walk this track when it is well covered with snow.

(0km) Guthega Centre → Southern end of Guthega Dam Wall

690 m

14 mins

10m

-60m Moderate track

From the car park in front of the Guthega Centre[1][2] (before the main resort), this walk follows the road for a short distance east (out of town) then turns left and heads down along the management trail towards the dam. The walk soon passes a 'No Entry Authorised Vehicles Only' sign[3] and then heads around the locked gate [4] and down along the gravel road[5]. The management trail gently winds down the hill, enjoying the views of the dam wall[6], and soon comes to a large clearing[7], some information signs[8] and a building[9] just before the dam wall[10]).

Guthega Pondage

Guthega Dam collects the water from Blue Cow Creek, Guthega River and the Snowy River. The dam has been built to provide the water and pressure to drive the Guthega Power Station. The water is carried to the power station via the Guthega pressure tunnel (and pipeline). This dam is 33m high and 137m across at the top, and stores up to 1550 megalitres of water.

(1km) Southern end of Guthega Dam Wall → Guthega Shaft intersection

410 m

8 mins

10m

-11m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the southern end of Guthega Dam wall[12], this walk follows the concrete road across the top of the dam wall[13], keeping the main pondage to your left. On the other side, the walk follows the management trail [14] which, after about 100m, passes the 'Guthega Shaft' (a building on the left)[15]. About 150m later, the management trail leads to a three-way intersection[16] (where the main trail bends right to head up the hill).

(1km) Guthega Shaft intersection → Guthega River bridge

550 m

10 mins

15m

-9m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the flat track, keeping the Guthega Pondage below and to your left[17][18]. This walk follows a management trail for about 200m before the trail (and the flat walking) ends[19][20]. The walk now stays above the pondage and follows the sloping hillside[21][22] for another 200m, passing the occasional dead snow gum, until gently coming down to the flat section beside Guthega River[23][24]. Here the walk continues upstream near the river for about 100m to find a small flat timber and metal bridge[25][26] which crosses Guthega River (near the old ski lift[27] on the other side of the river).

Maps for the Guthega River Snowshoe 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
Geehi Dam	1:25 000 Map Series	85252N GEEHI DAM	NSW-85252N
Kosciuszko	1:100 000 Map Series	8525 KOSCIUSZKO	8525

Cross sectional view of the Guthega River Snowshoe bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Guthega River Snowshoe

Altitude analysis for Guthega River Snowshoe

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	3.3 km
		Time	1 hr 30 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	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 1.1km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 550m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 1.1km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 550m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

Around 1.1km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 550m has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 1.1km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 550m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.1km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 550m is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 1.1km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 550m 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 Guthega River Snowshoe walk.

Guthega Trig

6 km Return, 3 hrs

On this walk, you will visit the old Guthega Trig station and its wide views over the Guthega Dam, the township and surrounding country side. The walk initially leads along management trails and across the dam wall before following a narrow foot pad up the ridge between Guthega River and Falls Cree

Total climbing: 377m

Very experienced only

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Guthega River Snowshoe walk.

Guthega to Blue Lake via Little Twynam

17.4 km Return, 8 hrs

This great walk starts at Guthega and explores the area east of Blue Lake. The walk heads to the Illawong Lodge, via the Blue Cow Creek flying fox, and then crosses the famous Snowy River at the suspension bridge. The walk then winds up the long ridge to the top of Little Twynam and down to Blue La

Total climbing: 1120m

Experienced only

Guthega to Thredbo camping overnight at Wilkensons Creek

25.8 km One way, 2 Days

This great overnight walk explores the Kosciusko National Park between Guthega and Thredbo, visiting some fantastic sights along the way like the Snowy River, Blue Lake and Mt Twynam, Lake Albina and Mt Kosiuszko. The Wilkinsons Creek camping area is a nice place to stop and reflect as the sun sets.

Total climbing: 1364m

Experienced only

Guthega to Charlotte Pass

15.2 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

This walk explores the wonderful alpine country between Guthega village and Charlotte Pass at the end of Kosciuszko Rd. Starting with views of Guthega Dam, the walk visits Illawong Lodge and crosses the Snowy River suspension bridge before climbing up to Mt Twynam. Once on the Main Range track, you

Total climbing: 908m

Experienced only

Illawong Walk

6.4 km Return, 2 hrs 45 mins

From Guthega village, this walk leads you over Blue Cow Creek and alongside the Snowy River to Illawong Lodge and the suspension bridge. You will be using a narrow, unsignposted but generally clear track. A flying fox is in place over Blue Cow Creek, however a more modern bridge offers a safer path

Total climbing: 343m

Moderate track

Guthega to Mt Twynam

14.8 km Return, 6 hrs 45 mins

This walk starts from Guthega and makes its way along the Snowy River to the Illawong Lodge, via the Blue Cow Creek flying fox. From the lodge, the walk crosses the suspension bridge and begins the climb up the ridge past Pounds Creek Flats to the top of Mt Twynam. From here, there is an optional si

Total climbing: 913m

Experienced only

Guthega to Snowy River Suspension Bridge

6.4 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This enjoyable walk starts from Guthega and mostly follows the famous Snowy River, to reach the cable suspension bridge. Before reaching the bridge, the walk crosses the Blue Cow Creek at the flying fox, and winds through the snow gums and the open plains.

Total climbing: 343m

Moderate track

Main Range Circuit from Guthega

45 km Circuit, 4 Days

This four day walk explores the Kosciuszko National Park, covering many of the key features of the park between Guthega and Rawson Pass. Some of the more popular sights you will visit are the Snowy River, Blue Lake and Lake Albina, a couple of great alpine huts and the two highest peaks in Australia

Total climbing: 2317m

Experienced only

Mount Piper Trail

5.2 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

This winter-only snowshoe walk starts from the Smiggins Centre and follows a snow pole line and cross-country ski trail to Perisher Valley. Starting along the road, you soon follow a snow pole line up and behind Mt Piper. There are some wide vistas over Perisher Creek Valley along sections of this

Total climbing: 167m

Hard track

Munyang River Circuit

14.1 km Circuit, 5 hrs 30 mins

This walk explores the alpine country and huts around the Munyang River. You will explore parts of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, starting with the Munyang /Guthega Power station, before climbing up the steep old road to find some great views down the valley. Optional side trips can take you to the Gat

Total climbing: 649m

Hard track

Schlink Hut Walk

22.4 km Return, 9 hrs

This full day (or overnight) walk visits a series of interesting huts whilst exploring some open alpine country and parts of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Starting at the Guthega / Munyang Power station, you climb up the steep old road to find some great views down the valley. Optional side trips visi

Total climbing: 918m

Hard track

Rock Creek Snowshoe Trail

3 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This well signposted, winter-only snowshoe walk is a great way to get into snowshoeing for the first time. Starting from Perisher Village, this walk soon leaves the main road to follow a series of snow poles up a gully and around a small hill. There are some interesting information signs to help y

Total climbing: 84m

Moderate track

Wheatley Circuit

7.3 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This snowshoe walk follows a winter-only route. From Perisher Valley, you walk up along the Kosciuszko Rd to a gap, just past the last ski lift. Here you leave the road to follow the snow pole line up along the Wheatley Link among the snow gums and crossing some open plains. This link leads up to a

Total climbing: 251m

Hard track