Thredbo to Village Weir return

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 Hr

2.2 km Return

148 m

Hard track

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.

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 → Int of Bobsled service trail and Merritts nature track

330 m

7 mins

-18m Moderate track

From the entrance to the ticket sales for the Kosciuszko Express chairlift[3], this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign. The walk leads around the car park and past the picnic area to follow another 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[4] along the footpath, leading beside the tennis courts[5]. The footpath continues past the tennis courts[6] and then heads up a ramp[7] and to the other side of the building at the bottom of the bobsled run.
Continue straight: From the bobsled building[8], this walk follows the paved footpath along side the bobsled run[9] (to your left) whilst keeping the valley to your right. Soon the footpath leads into the bush[10] and then comes to a three-way intersection marked with a 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[11] (pointing up to the left).

(0km) Int of Bobsled service trail and Merritts nature track → Top of Bobsled run

180 m

5 mins

40m

0m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[12] up the steps which bend to the right. The steep steps and track leads up through the bush and pass beside the bobsled run[13], then lead to a clear intersection with a management trail, marked with an arrow post[14].

(1km) Top of Bobsled run → Int of Merritts nature track and Bobsled service trail

50 m

1 mins

0m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow marker gently uphill along the management trail[15], keeping the bobsled run to your left[16]. Just near the top of the bobsled run[17], the trail leads to a three-way intersection marked with a 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[18] (and track on your right).

(1km) Int of Merritts nature track and Bobsled service trail → Int of Merritts nature track and Bobsled link track

80 m

2 mins

-3m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[19] up along the track leading through the bush (and away from the bobsled). The track leads up some gentle steps and soon comes to a clear intersection[20] with another management trail, marked with an arrow post[21].

(1km) Int of Merritts nature track and Bobsled link track → Int of Merritts nature track and Merritts chairlift service trail

80 m

2 mins

-3m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide management trail down the hill[22] and across the flat timber bridge[23]. The walk then follows the trail up the hill for a short distance, coming to a three-way intersection with a couple of 'Merritts Nature Track' signposts[24][25].

(1km) Int of Merritts nature track and Merritts chairlift service trail → Int of Merritts nature track and Birralee bushcamp tracks

130 m

3 mins

20m

0m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[26] uphill along the narrow track and immediately passes under Merritts Chairlift[27]. The track then leads into the denser forest with tall snow gums[28]. The track leads up near the creek to a signposted intersection marked with both a 'Birralee Bush Camp'[29] and 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[30] (with a bridge to the left[31]).

(1km) Int of Merritts nature track and Birralee bushcamp tracks → Int of Merritts nature track and Sundowner service trail

80 m

2 mins

12m

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[32] up the gentle hill whilst keeping the mossy creek to your left[33]. The track heads up a series of gentle steps, then a last short climb[34] leads to a wide clearing with the Sundowner ski run, opposite a large water tank[35].

(1km) Int of Merritts nature track and Sundowner service trail → Int of weir track and Merritts nature track

150 m

4 mins

34m

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection (with the water tank[36] on your right and safety barriers[37] to your left), this walk follows the blue arrow marker[38] uphill along the track. The track winds gently up through the tall snow gum[39] and mossy forest[40], keeping the creek a short distance through to your left. Just before a metal bridge[41], the track comes to a three-way intersection[42] (with a short track on the right, leading to a weir[43]).

(1km) Int of weir track and Merritts nature track → Weir

20 m

0m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the narrower track[44], keeping the creek a short distance to your left. The track leads a short distance to the concrete weir[45][46] (no swimming).

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.

Maps for the Thredbo to Village Weir return 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 Thredbo to Village Weir return bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Thredbo to Village Weir return

Altitude analysis for Thredbo to Village Weir return

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	2.2 km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
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	Generally 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

590m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 330m is flat with no steps. The remaining (180m) is very steep.

Quality of track

460m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 330m follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (310m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 620m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 480m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 660m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 440m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.1km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.1km 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 Thredbo to Village Weir return walk.

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

Moderate track

Merritts Nature Track

3.7 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

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

Total climbing: 65m

Hard track

Merritts Traverse

5.8 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk starts with a scenic journey to the top of the hill on the chairlift. Starting along Merritts Nature walk, this walk soon detours down the hill by following a series of signposted management trails and ski runs. The walk visits a few scenic creeks, but the main highlights are the wide view

Total climbing: 167m

Hard track

Starting near Dead Horse Gap on the Alpine Way, you will follow the wide Cascade Trail upstream along the Thredbo River. After crossing the river, you will follow the trail through snow gum forests to the signposted Bobs Ridge. From the rocky outcrops at Bobs Ridge, there are great views west over t

Total climbing: 379m

Hard track