Main Range Track - Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake

Download & Print Map and Notes

4 hrs

9.3 km Return

542 m

Hard track

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. There are a series of information signs that provide information on how this lake and other features in the area where formed.

Looking across the Main Range Track from Charlotte Pass

Looking down from Charlotte Pass to Snowy River

Confluence of Club Lake Creek and Snowy River

Lookout south east across the Snowy River to Charlotte Pass

Main Range track looking down to Carruthers Creek from the south

Main Range Track north of Carruthers Creek

Path looking south to Carruthers Creek Valley

Blue Lake from the Main Range and Blue Lake track intersection

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 → Snowy River crossing

790 m

18 mins

-122m Hard track

From Charlotte Pass[1] (at the turning circle at the end of Kosciuszko Rd), this walk follows the 'Main Range Track' - 'Blue Lake Lookout' sign[2] downhill along the wide paved path[3]. The walk winds down past the stone path[4] (on your right) and continues beside the 'Glaciers shaped this ancient landscape' information sign[5]. The path continues down through lightly scattered snow gums to the bottom of the valley, approximately 650m further. Just past the 'From the mountains to the sea' information sign[6], this walk crosses the Snowy River using the stepping stones[7] and comes to a strip of land between the two creeks[8]. (Crossing the river is dangerous and is not advisable when the water is flowing over the stepping stones[9]).

Snowy River crossing

At the lowest point of the the Main Range circuit track is the confluence (meeting) of the Snowy River and Club Lake Creek. The walking track uses stones in the river to try to get across with dry feet. Since the track crosses just above the confluence there is an 'island'[10] halfway across. These creeks may become impassable after rain and snow melt. This is lovely place to rest and enjoy the water and valley.

(1km) Snowy River crossing → Int of Main Range and Blue Lake Lookout tracks

3.2 km

1 hr 7 mins climb

306m

-33m Hard track

Veer right: From between the two creeks, this walk heads north along the wide track to cross Club Lake Creek using the stepping stones. (The creek may not be safe to cross when water covers the stepping stones[11]). The walk then follows the wide, paved track fairly steeply up the hill. After a short time, the track becomes gravel and continues up the hill for about 400m further before passing a 'Mountains of Soil' information sign[12], where the track soon becomes less steep. After about 1.5km, the track passes a 'Created by glaciers' information sign[13] and reveals some views down to Hedley Tarn[14] (on your right). The track continues up the hill and between the granite boulders[15] to then head down the other side of the ridge[16]. The walk leads down to rock-hop across Carruthers Creek[17], then follows the wide, paved path up the hill, passing the 'Remnants of an ancient sea' information sign[18] and coming to a paved area[19], with a view to Blue Lake[20] and some information signs marking a three-way intersection.

(4km) Int of Main Range and Blue Lake Lookout tracks → Blue Lake lookout

640 m

14 mins

-72m Hard track

Turn right: From the paved area[21], this walk follows the dirt track next to the stone seat, heading east towards Blue Lake[22]. The rocky track winds down and around the northern side of the ridge[23] to a platform[24] with an information sign[25] and a fantastic view of Blue Lake[26].

Blue Lake

Blue Lake is the best example of a glacial lake in the alpine area. At 28m deep, this lake was formed when glaciers, flowing from the Great Dividing Range, converged and carved out a basin in the rock. This is visible in the cliffs behind the lake, where the glaciers have plucked out blocks of stone and carried them away. There is also a stream that flows from Blue lake, feeding Hedley Tarn just to the south.

Maps for the Main Range Track - Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake 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 Main Range Track - Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Main Range Track - Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake

Altitude analysis for Main Range Track - Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake

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	9.3 km
		Time	4 hrs
		.
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	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		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

This whole walk, 4.7km has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 4km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 640m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 4.7km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 4km of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 640m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.7km is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 3.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 790m 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 Main Range Track - Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake walk.

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

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

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

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

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Main Range Track - Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake walk.

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

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

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

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

Porcupine Walk

5.6 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

Starting at the Perisher Valley Reservoir, this walk heads up through Rock Creek valley to the the panoramic views from Porcupine Rocks. On this walk, you will wander through button grass plains and among groves of snow gums whilst passing some granite tors. From the top of this walk, there are grea

Total climbing: 214m

Hard track

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