Paton's Hut

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs

5.4 km Return

201 m

Hard track

This walk (or mountain bike) follows the Dargals Trail from near the Tooma Reservoir spillway to Paton's Hut. Most of this walk is through tall eucalypt forest before heading down to the edge of the Tooma Plain to find Paton's Hut. The iron hut was originally built in 1934 for grazing and was rebuilt in 2005, after the 2003 fires. The hut provides a great place to camp overnight or just rest before walking back.

Dargals Trail leading under the power lines

You can see Tooma road along the western end of Dargals Trail

View across Toolong valley from sections of the Dargals Trail

Glimpse of Tooma Reservior from Dargals trail

Dead gums line the trail beside Tooma Plain

Some of the original items left in Inside Paton's Hut

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 be carrying 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. Between the long weekend in June and October, the Tooma (Khancoban to Cabramurra) Road is closed by the RTA, making access to this walk very difficult. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.

(0km) Dargals Trail Car Park → Tooma Intersection

80 m

2 mins

0m Hard track

From the 'Trail Head Car Park'[1] (on Tooma Rd, about 850m east of the Tooma Reservoir spillway), this walk heads uphill around the locked gate[2]. The walk immediately heads past a toilet[3] (on your left) then comes to a large five-way intersection[4], with a glimpse of Tooma Reservoir[5] (straight ahead).

(0km) Tooma Intersection → Dargals Bend

1.5 km

32 mins

95m

-15m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads east, gently uphill along the wide management trail[6] to immediately pass the 'Dargals Trail' sign[7] and head under the power lines[8]. The trail soon begins to climb more steeply as it gently winds through the tall alpine ash forest[9], with the occasional glimpse down to the road[10] (to your left). The trail then sweeps around a long right bend and, about 1km after passing under the power lines, the trail leads past a small clearing[11] (on the left) and then another clearing[12] (on your right), with some views over the Tooma Plains. Here the trail bends left, leading gently down to find a sharp (right-hand) bend[13] and a saddle at the top of the steep gully, marked with a 'Dargals Fire Trail' sign[14].

(2km) Dargals Bend → Patons Hut intersection

1.1 km

20 mins

-68m Hard track

Turn right: From the bend, this walk follows the clear management trail as it bends right[15], keeping the gully to your right. The trail winds gently down the side of the gully for a while[16] and, as the trail sweeps left, there are views (on your right) across the Tooma Plain and over part of the reservoir[17]. The trail soon leaves the tall forest[18] and enters a forest of dead snow gums[19] as the trail leads closer to the edge of the Tooma Plain[20]. Just as the trail ducks below the treeline, it crosses a small (culverted) creek[21] (were you can see Patons Hut[22] to your left), and comes to a three-way intersection[23], just below the hut.

(3km) Patons Hut intersection → Patons Hut

80 m

2 mins

0m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill[24] (north-east) along the grassy management trail[25], away from the plain and through the dead snow gums towards the (just visible) hut. The trail soon bends right to find a large, fairly flat clearing[26] and Patons Hut[27].

Patons Hut

Patons Hut is a 7.5m x 5m iron hut, originally built in 1934 for grazing by the Paton family. It burnt down during the 2003 fires, but was rebuilt in 2007-08. The hut has a fireplace[29] and some interesting relics[30][31]. Around the hut is a grassy flat with some bench seating[32] and a few creeks flow nearby (treat water before drinking). More info.

Maps for the Paton's Hut 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.

Toolong Range	1:25 000 Map Series	85251N TOOLONG RANGE	NSW-85251N
Kosciuszko	1:100 000 Map Series	8525 KOSCIUSZKO	8525

Cross sectional view of the Paton's Hut bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Paton's Hut

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	5.4 km
		Time	2 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
		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 2.6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 80m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 2.7km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 2.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 80m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 2.6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 80m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.7km is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 2.6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 80m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Paton's Hut walk.

Round Mountain Hut

3.8 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

Starting from the Round Mountain trail head on Tooma Rd, this walk takes you into the Jagungal Wilderness area following wide signposted trails to Round Mountain Hut. The walk boasts some great views across the headwaters of the Tumut River to Mt. Jagungal and visits the iron Round Mountains Hut, or

Total climbing: 180m

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

Guthega River Snowshoe

3.3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

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 cha

Total climbing: 115m

Hard track

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

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