Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Snowy River

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Time 3 hrs
Return 9 km Return
Climb 237 m
Grade 4 Hard track
Car
no_pets
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 defined management trail that was a public road until 1976.

Covered in snow part of the year

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 → Merritts Creek bridge

distance 4.2 km time 1 hr 23 mins climb 164m descent -70m Hard track
From the end of Kosciuszko Rd at Charlotte Pass[1] (just near the toilet block[2]), this walk heads along a wide management trail[3], following the large 'Summit walk' sign[4]. The walk initially dips down a bit[5] and heads through a grove of snow gums[6]. This walk soon leaves the snow gums and the landscape opens to a fantastic view of the Snowy River and the valley (on your right)[7]. After about 1km, the walk passes a yellow 'MT K 8' sign[8] on a snow pole. This walk continues along the management trail and gently undulates up along the side of the long ridge, passing several more 'Mt K' milestone signs counting down. After a while, the old road heads up and over a ridge[9], passing the 'MT K 5'[10] and the original 'K 3' milestone (on your left) to find the un-signposted concrete bridge over Merritts Creek[11].

(4km) Merritts Creek bridge → Snowy River bridge

distance 260 m time 4 mins climb 0m descent -3m Hard track
Continue straight: From the bridge, this walk follows the management trail west through the valley, where the trail soon bends right and passes a 'Snowy River' sign[12], coming to the bridge crossing the river[13].

Maps for the Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Snowy River 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 Valley1:25 000 Map Series85252S PERISHER VALLEYNSW-85252S
Kosciuszko1:100 000 Map Series8525 KOSCIUSZKO8525

Cross sectional view of the Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Snowy River bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Snowy River

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Snowy River

Altitude analysis for Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Snowy River

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.

Length9 km
Time3 hrs
.




Grade 4/6



Hard track
AS 2156.1GradientFlat, no steps (1/6)
Quality of trackClear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
SignsClearly signposted (1/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherForecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
InfrastructureGenerally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

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, 4.5km is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 4.5km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 4.5km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 4.5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.5km is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 4.5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Snowy River walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Snowy River walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Snowy River walk starts and ends at the End of Kosciuszko Road (gps: -36.431855, 148.32828)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Snowy Mountains weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Kosciuszko National Park

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