Rennix Trail
Download & Print Map and Notes
5 hrs
12.8 km Return
411 m
Hard track
This enjoyable walk follows an old management trail from Rennix Gap to the panoramic views from a granite outcrop, which is also home to a Snowy Hydro radio repeater. On this walk, you will visit a variety of environments from open grassy plains, wooded forest, exposed granite outcrops and alpine fens.
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. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.
Rennix Gap
Rennix Gap is a signposted[1] saddle on the Kosciuszko Road and is home to a car park[2], picnic table[3] and the Rennix Walk trackhead[4]. The gap is named after W.E. Rennix, who was appointed the Shire Engineer (with a salary of £350 per year) and was the first to survey the road to Kosciuszko. The road was constructed between 1906-09. A sign at the trackhead reports that Rennix died from pneumonia after having been caught in a blizzard at the gap[6].
(0km) Rennix Walk Car Park → Lakes Creek saddle
1.8 km
32 mins
43m
-14m
Hard trackFrom the car park[7] and picnic table[8], this walk heads around the timber posts[9] and follows the arrow[10] past the 'Rennix Walk' information sign[11], downhill along the old management trail. After about 100m, this walk crosses a creek[12], then a short time later turns right at a 'Y' intersection[13] (following an arrow[14]) up the gentle hill. Here the walk continues along the side of the hill, through a grove of trees[15] then winds up the side of the grassy valley[16]. After a while, the track bends left to cross the grassy flat and leads across a flat timber bridge[17]. The old management trail then leads up the hill and through another grove of snow gums[18], and about 400m after the timber bridge, this walk comes to a large flat saddle[19] with a small wetland[20] and views towards the main range[21] (on your left).
Lakes Creek saddle
This saddle (as with a few other saddles on the Rennix Walk) is home to a significant wetland. This 'Alpine fen' is fed mostly by ground water from the surrounding hills and is an important ecosystem. Please admire the wetlands from a distance, and remain on the main track.
(2km) Lakes Creek saddle → Large Gap
2.9 km
1 hr 2 mins
119m
-117m
Hard trackContinue straight: With the distant view to the main range on your left[23], this walk heads north, gently uphill following the old management trail[24]. The track soon leads through a gap in the trees to find another grassy clearing[25] and a '2K' marker post[26]. Just past the post, the track leads past a water-bog[27], and then back into the trees[28]. The track winds through the lightly wooded area before turning right and heading up a short steep climb[29]. Once at the top of this climb, the track meanders for a little while before heading steeply[30] down, then winding around the side of the hill. Just as the track begins to climb again, it passes a '3K' timber post[31]. For about 500m past the post, the track climbs up through the trees and granite boulders[32], to come to the top of a hill with a clearing[33] and a rocky outcrop[34]. Here, the track bends right and heads downhill, moderately steeply[35], just before crossing an open grassy saddle[36]. On the other side of this saddle, the track leads up the hill[37], and as the track climbs, the walk passes more and more dead snow gums, until on the top where most of the large trees are dead[38] and bleached[39]. Then, the track winds down the hill[40] to a larger open and grassy clearing in the saddle[41] below.
(5km) Large Gap → Giant's Castle
720 m
17 mins
59m
-2m
Hard trackContinue straight: From the large clearing[42], this walk follows the old management trail north, moderately steeply[43] up the hill. Part way up the hill, the trees give way to a distant view of Lake Jindabyne[44] (to your right). The walk continues up the hill among the dead gum trees[45], where the track bends right to follow the ridge up past a scrubby clearing[46]. Continuing on, just past the large granite outcrop (the Giant's Castle) with a metal trig station on top, the walk comes to a track[47] (on your left) leading up to the trig station[48].
Giants Castle
(5km) Giant's Castle → Radio repeater
970 m
19 mins
25m
-32m
Hard trackContinue straight: From the intersection (initially keeping the trig station and the Giant's Castle to your left[52]), this walk heads north-east, following the old management trail along the ridge[53]. After about 130m, the track passes another granite outcrop and clearing[54] (on your left). The track then winds and gently undulates along the top of the ridge, passing among the trees and scattering of boulders[55] until coming to a large rock outcrop (on your right) with a flat green metal structure on top[56] - the radio repeater.
Radio repeater
This high point, topped with a large granite boulder, provides a great view of the surrounding area. The rock is home to a large radio reflector[57]. This passive device acts like a mirror to bounce radio signals between two Snowy Hydro sites. The reflector looks like a billboard advertising green paint[58], but the simplicity of the design helps increase the reliability and reduce maintenance. There is also a small active, solar-powered repeater on site[59]. The rock behind the repeater slopes down to the ground[60], providing access to the base of the repeater and the great views. Take care on the rock, as there are no fences but a significant drop.
Maps for the Rennix Trail 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.
| Kalkite Mountain | 1:25 000 Map Series | 86253N KALKITE MOUNTAIN | NSW-86253N |
| Tombong | 1:50 000 Map Series | 8624S TOMBONG | NSW-8624S |
| Numbla Vale | 1:50 000 Map Series | 8624N NUMBLA VALE | NSW-8624N |
| Chimneys Ridge | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85241N CHIMNEYS RIDGE | NSW-85241N |
| Berridale | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8625 BERRIDALE | 8625 |
| Jacobs River | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8524 JACOBS RIVER | 8524 |
Cross sectional view of the Rennix Trail bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rennix Trail
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 | 12.8 km | ||
| Time | 5 hrs | ||
| . | |||
Grade 4/6 Hard track | AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| 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, 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 3.6km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 2.8km has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 4.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.8km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 4.6km of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.8km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 6km is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 4.6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.8km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Other Nearby walks
A list of walks that start near the Rennix Trail walk.
Rainbow Lake Trail
2.5 km Return, 1 Hr
Moderate track
Waterfall Walk
5.8 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins
Moderate track
Pallaibo Walk
5.5 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
Sawpit Walk
2.2 km Circuit, 45 mins
Moderate track
Munyang River Circuit
14.1 km Circuit, 5 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
Schlink Hut Walk
22.4 km Return, 9 hrs
Hard track
Mount Piper Trail
5.2 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins
Hard track
Guthega River Snowshoe
3.3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins
Hard track
Guthega Trig
6 km Return, 3 hrs
Very experienced only
Guthega to Blue Lake via Little Twynam
17.4 km Return, 8 hrs
Experienced only
Guthega to Thredbo camping overnight at Wilkensons Creek
25.8 km One way, 2 Days
Experienced only
Guthega to Charlotte Pass
15.2 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins
Experienced only
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Rennix Trail walk starts and ends at the Rennix Walk Car Park (gps: -36.360475, 148.50654)
Weather Forecast
This walk starts in the Snowy Mountains weather district.
Current Alerts
Park Information
Kosciuszko National Park
Comments
Short URL: http://wild.tl/1o