Merritts Nature Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

3.7 km Circuit

65 m

Hard track

This walk explores the native bushland around the winter skiing area. After riding the Kosciuszko Express chairlift up the hill, arriving near the Eagles Nest restaurant, the walk winds through the snow gum forest, following ski runs and bush tracks back down the hill. The walk passes the popular Thredbo Bobsled and continues around the back of the tennis courts, back to the village.

Merrits Nature Track passing under the chair lift

Walking along the side of the hill on Merrits Nature Track

Looking up at the chairlift from Merrits Nature Track

Folowing the Merritts Nature track sign near Top of Snowgums chairlift

Looking over the valley from Merrits Nature Track

Some duckboarding on Merrits Nature Track

Walking beside the large rock on Merrits Nature Track

Merrits Nature Track Crossing one of the Village Trail

Great view from the picnic table on Merrits Nature Track

Walking down the stairs on Merrits Nature Track

Enjoying the dense forest on the Merrits Nature Track

Int of Merritts nature track and Birralee bushcamp tracks

Crossing the bridge near Merritts chairlift

Intersection east on the bottom of the Bob sled run

Covered in snow & closed 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. Part of this walk is used as a groomed winter ski run. This walk is closed and should not be attempted when there is a chance of significant snow on the ground.

Kosciuszko Express Chairlift

This is one of the few lifts operating in the summer months at Thredbo, and is made quite popular by thousands of people walking to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko each year. Lift tickets can be purchased from the store at the bottom of the chairlift. Lift tickets are $31 return ($25 one way) per person. This lift is generally closed during November and May for maintenance each year, but the the Snowgum chair can be used at this time instead, this will add extra walking time to you walk. More info.

(0km) Bottom of Kosciuszko Express chairlift → Top of Kosciuszko Express chairlift

1.9 km

20 mins

558m

-1m Very easy

This walk heads into the 'Valley Terminal' building, where you can buy a ticket for the lift. Continue through the building and up the steps, where this walk turns right to find the bottom terminal of the 'Kosciuszko Express'. Walk up to the platform as directed by the chairlift operator and sit down in the seat, letting it scoop you up. Once seated, pull down the safety bar and enjoy the ride to the top of the ridge. :) At the top step of the chair lift and turn left to find the restaurant (now on your right) and track information signs ahead.

Eagles Nest Restaurant

This is Australia's highest restaurant, providing great food and outstanding views. It is easily accessible, nestled on the mountain directly opposite the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and is open year-round. For more information, call (02) 64576019.

(2km) Top of Kosciuszko Express chairlift → Top of Snowgums chairlift

420 m

12 mins

11m

-84m Hard track

Turn sharp left: From the top of the chairlift[3], this walk heads straight downhill (keeping the chairlift to your left) following paved management trail[4]. After about 25m, this walk veers right to leave the paved trail, now following the dirt track marked by the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[5]. The track follows the arrow posts among the granite boulders[6] and down the long series of steps that leads under the chairlift[7]. The track continues to wind steeply down the hill[8] and after some time, comes to a clear 'T' intersection with a dirt management trail marked with another 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[9].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[10] downhill along the wide management trail, keeping the main valley to your right. The trail soon leads to a four-way intersection marked with a 'Kosciuszko Walk' sign[11], just above the top of Snowgums chairlift[12].

(2km) Top of Snowgums chairlift → Lower bench seat

290 m

8 mins

-73m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track that leads down the left side of the Snowgums chairlift, where the track soon passes a 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[13]. The track heads left, away from the chairlift through some snow gums and winds steeply down the hill[14]. About 100m from the chairlift, the walk turns right at a minor intersection[15] (the left branch leads to a view of a small fall) - here, the main track leads down more steep steps to come to a small clearing, with a view of the creek[16] and a wooden bench seat[17].
Veer right: From the bench seat[18], this walk follows the clear track downhill, which soon heads down the steep steps[19][20], coming to another bench seat (and another good excuse for a rest).

Lower bench seat

This small lookout on Merritts Nature Track provides a seat[21] and a view looking north across a wide gully[22]. A small creek cascades down the rocks through the gully. There is limited natural shade from the snow gums here. A nice place to rest and enjoy the view whilst giving your knees a rest.

(3km) Lower Bench Seat → Picnic Lookout

570 m

16 mins

10m

-119m Hard track

Veer right: From the bench seat[23], this walk follows the track heading downhill away from the creek[24]. The track passes over a timber[25] then metal[26] section of boardwalk, before heading down a series of steep steps[27]. The track winds down the hill, passing some large boulders[28] before heading down a timber ramp[29] to a four-way intersection with a wide management trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[30][31] down the steps, following the track through the snow gum forest. After about 130m, the track heads along a few sections of metal and timber boardwalks[32] before heading down more steps[33] and coming to a four-way intersection with another management trail[34], marked with another 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[35] (on the other side of the trail, next to the safety barrier).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[36] down the steps[37]. The track leads steeply down through the alpine heath and snow gums[38] to soon come to a partly fenced rock promontory[39] and picnic table[40] with great valley views.

Picnic Lookout

This partially fenced lookout platform is perched on a rock and provide great views down across Friday Flats to the range on the other side of Thredbo River. There is a picnic table and a bench seat, but limited shade. This make a great place to stop, rest and enjoy the valley views.

(3km) Picnic Lookout → Bunnywalk chairlift station

430 m

10 mins

-62m Moderate track

Turn right: From the picnic table and rock platform, this walk heads gently downhill following the track along the side of the hill, keeping the main valley to your left. The track immediately passes a bench seat[41] and, after a short time, heads down some steps then a timber staircase[42], coming to an intersection with a grassy management trail.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the grassy management trail south, gently downhill[43] (keeping the valley to your left). After about 80m, the trail passes under the chairlift[44], where the trail bends left and then becomes wider[45]. The walk continues along the trail and soon comes to a 'T' intersection with a clearer management trail and a 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[46].
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows 'Merritts Nature Trail' sign[47] downhill along the clear management trail passing under the chairlift. Soon after passing under the chairlift, this walk comes to a 'Y' intersection[48] marked with another 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[49], just above 'Bunny Walk Station'[50] (the midway station on Snowgums Chairlift).

(4km) Bunnywalk chairlift station → Int of Merritts nature walk and chairlift service trail

240 m

5 mins

-32m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[51], off the main management trail and along the grassy strip (keeping the management trail through the trees on your left)[52]. The walk heads through the grassy clearing to come to the start of a narrow track marked with another 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[53], just beyond the small hut[54].
Continue straight: From the end of the clearing, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[55] down along the narrow track, leading through dense alpine heath and snow gum forest[56]. The track gently winds downhill, then heads down a series of steps leading to a clear four-way intersection with a management trail where there is another 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[57] pointing back up the steps.

(4km) Int of Merritts nature walk and chairlift service trail → Int of weir track and Merritts nature track

620 m

17 mins

12m

-127m Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[58] down the steps[59] and along the narrow track through the dense bushland. The track winds steeply[60] through a couple of switch-backs then gently winds[61] around the side of the hill before heading down more steps. In time, the track comes to a 'T' intersection signposted as an intersection with both 'Merritts Nature Track' and 'Meadows Nature Track'[62].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[63] along the fairly flat track, keeping the valley to your right. The track soon passes a bench seat[64] where the track turns sharply right and heads steeply downhill[65]. The track bends a few more times, passing another seat and heading through a grove of tall stringybark trees[66]. As the track approaches the valley, it passes another bench seat[67] then crosses the creek (just below a weir[68]) on a metal bridge[69] to find a three-way intersection (with a short track on the left leading to the weir[70]).

(4km) Int of weir track and Merritts nature track → Weir

20 m

0m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the narrower track[71], keeping the creek a short distance to your left. The track leads a short distance to the concrete weir[72][73] (no swimming). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Thredbo Village Weir

The Thredbo Weir can be found on the Merritts Nature Track, along a creek that flows from the Rams Head Range. The weir is used to supply water to the village below.

(4km) Int of weir track and Merritts nature track → Int of Merritts nature track and Birralee bushcamp tracks

230 m

6 mins

-46m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the track down the hill[74], keeping the creek to your right. The track winds gently through the mossy[75] valley with tall snow gums[76] and, in time, comes to a clear open intersection[77] with the wide Sundowner ski run (between a water tank[78] and safety barriers[79]), marked with a blue arrow post[80].
Continue straight: From the opposite side of the clearing to the water tank[81], this walk follows the blue arrow[82] down the steps[83] along the the narrow track. The track then leads down a more gentle series of steps with the mossy creek[84] to your right, and soon comes to a three-way intersection and a 'Birralee Bush Camp'[85] and a 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[86] (and a footbridge to your right[87]).

(5km) Int of Merritts nature track and Birralee bushcamp tracks → Birralee Bushcamp

50 m

2 mins

-1m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Birralee Bush Camp' sign[88] across the creek using the footbridge. The bridge bends over the mossy creek[89] then the track bends left to reveal the campsite and picnic area[90]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Birralee Bush camp

Birralee bush camp is a signposted[91] clearing just on the other side of a small creek[92] from Merrits Nature Track (north of Merritts chairlift). Accessed by a bridge[93], this flat clearing has a picnic table[94] and a bench seat[95] and access to the creek[96] (treat water before drinking). This is naturally shaded, making a great place to cool off and rest on hot days.

(5km) Int of Merritts nature track and Birralee bushcamp tracks → Int of Merritts nature track and Bobsled service trail

290 m

7 mins

-26m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign downhill[97]. The track leads alongside the creek and, after a short while, the bush opens up[98] and the track leads under Merritts Chairlift[99], The walk then finds a 'T' intersection with a management trail[100] marked with another 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[101].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[102] down along the management trail (keeping the chairlift to your right) and soon crosses the flat wooden bridge[103]. The trail then climbs up the hill for about 60m and just before the crest of the hill, the trail leads to a 'Y' intersection[104], marked with an arrow post (and a timber-lined track on the left).
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow marker[105] along the timber-lined track[106] and down the steps. The track leads through the bush for a short time and soon comes to a 'T' intersection[107] with another management trail, near the top of the bobsled run[108], marked with a 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[109].

(5km) Int of Merritts nature track and Bobsled service trail → Bottom of bobsled run

340 m

8 mins

-44m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide management trail downhill, keeping the bobsled and main valley to your right[110][111]. A short distance later, just past the bobsled, this trail leads to a 'Y' intersection[112] (with a timber-lined track on your right) marked with an arrow post[113].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow post down the track[114] and steep steps[115]. The track zigzags beside the bobsled run (on your right)[116] and then continues down towards the view of Thredbo Village[117], coming to a 'T' intersection with paved footpath[118] where there is a 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[119] pointing back up the steps.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the paved footpath west towards the clearing[120], keeping the valley to your left. The footpath soon leads out of the bush[121] and then along side the bobsled run[122] to find the building at the bottom of the run[123].

Thredbo Bobsled

With a twisting and turning path more than 700m long, this luge-style track is a great summer activity for the family to enjoy whilst staying in Thredbo. Offering individual rides or day passes, allowing you to enjoy this fun ride as many times as you want as you whizz down the mountain on your cart, controlling your speed with a neat hand-break system. More info.

(5km) Bottom of bobsled run → Bottom of Kosciuszko Express chairlift

230 m

5 mins

13m

-6m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the bottom of the bobsled run, this walk heads around the building, down the ramp[124] and along the sealed path towards the tennis courts[125]. The walk follows the path beside the tennis courts[126], then through the car park, and around the front of the buildings[127][128] to find the entrance to the ticket sales for the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and a large map.

Maps for the Merritts Nature Track 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
Chimneys Ridge	1:25 000 Map Series	85241N CHIMNEYS RIDGE	NSW-85241N
Kosciuszko	1:100 000 Map Series	8525 KOSCIUSZKO	8525
Jacobs River	1:100 000 Map Series	8524 JACOBS RIVER	8524

Cross sectional view of the Merritts Nature Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Merritts Nature Track

Altitude analysis for Merritts Nature Track

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	3.7 km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		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

2.2km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 1.9km is very steep. Whilst another 1.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 200m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

2.2km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (1.3km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 4.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.2km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 2.9km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.7km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 1.9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 390m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Merritts Nature Track walk.

Thredbo to Village Weir return

2.2 km Return, 1 Hr

This short, relaxing walk starts from Thredbo and follows the Merrits Nature Track to the village weir. A great walk for those who enjoy following a well signposted track. The weir is a lovely spot to stop for lunch before the return journey, back down the hill to Thredbo.

Total climbing: 148m

Hard track

Meadows Nature Track

3.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This circuit walk offers an enjoyable way of exploring the diverse environments near Thredbo Village. Starting near the centre of town, you will follow the Merritts Nature Track partway up the hill. Then, following the Meadows Nature Track signs, you cross a series of open ski runs before heading ba

Total climbing: 210m

Hard track

Pipeline Path

3.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

Starting from the Village Terminal, this walk leads you past the bobsled then down to Friday Drive and across the Thredbo River. From here, you follow the signposted Pipeline Path, a dirt track, along the hillside. The track leads to the picture-perfect Snowmakers Ponds for a picnic or a dip. Either

Total climbing: 101m

This popular walk starts with a ride up to the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and goes to the top of Mt Kosciuszko. From the top of the chairlift, the walk follows a footpath, passing the Kosciuszko and Cootapatamba lookouts, as it winds up to Rawson Pass. At Rawson Pass, the walk meets t

Total climbing: 459m

Hard track

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

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