Snowies Alpine Walk Adventure

This morning we depart 8am from our meet spot – Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport. Together we make our way to the picturesque Snowy Mountains ski village of Guthega. It’s around a 3-hour drive from Canberra to Guthega and the trailhead of the Snowies Alpine Walk.  

As we leave the capital city behind us and drive up into the mountains, we start to breathe more deeply and notice the scenery shift into a sub-alpine landscape. Without its blanket of winter snow, the alpine village of Guthega and the surrounding Kosciuszko National Park transform into a peaceful and stunning wilderness filled with birdsong and trickling streams. We have the next 4 days to immerse ourselves in the beauty of this fragile alpine ecosystem where woodlands of tangled snow gums rest against a green landscape, and meadows filled with beautiful alpine wildflowers take centre stage. 

Starting today’s walk, this first section of the trail follows the Snowy River Valley. Passing the Illawong Swing Bridge, Australia’s highest suspension bridge, we continue on. Traversing over boardwalk and a narrow track, we’re spoilt with mountain views as we climb up towards the Main Range and our destination for today, Charlotte Pass. From here, we drive to our accommodation in the nearby alpine gateway town of Jindabyne. A hot shower awaits us before dinner, and a peaceful night ahead of a big walking day tomorrow. 

4 nights accommodation in Jindabyne 

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Walking Distance: 10km

Today’s journey is possibly the most famous part of the Snowies Alpine Walk. The Main Range Loop boasts awe-inspiring highlights, including glacial lakes and the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. Along with historic alpine huts and various popular side trips such as Blue Lake, Mount Townsend and, of course, the views from Mt Kosciuszko’s peak. Today’s terrain is a combination of trail and track, and raised boardwalk.  

After fueling up with a big brekky, we head back to Charlotte Pass and ready ourselves for a fabulous day of adventure! This loop takes us through the protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where a glacier-carved landscape meets stunning wildflower meadows. This is backcountry at its finest. We cross the Snowy River and pass Hedley Tarn and Blue Lake before ascending the rugged Main Range to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. At 2228m, the panoramic 360-degree views sweep across the Australian Alps, and on a clear day, it’s an incredible sight to take in. We pause here to marvel over this spectacular outlook (weather depending).  

Getting going again, the track loops back along the Summit Trail to Charlotte Pass, where we return drive to Jindabyne.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Distance: 24km

Every day, the surrounding landscape of Kosciuszko National Park offers us something special. Setting off after breakfast, we return to Charlotte Pass Village, and on foot, we begin our way to Perisher Valley.  

Tangled snow gums are our companions today, as are the far-reaching views of the alpine terrain. We enjoy the wide-open spaces of the high-country plains before they give way to inclines and declines as we traverse ridges and valleys. The higher vantage points offer spectacular sights over Thredbo Valley and Bullocks Flat below. At the same time, the great expanse of the Main Range lies behind us, perhaps offering some snow-capped mountains depending on conditions. Immersed in this landscape and surrounded by the unique plants and animals of this alpine region, we open our minds to ancient stories and learn about the ancestral land of the Monero Ngarigo People.  

The track weaves through open valleys before climbing up to Porcupine Rocks – a collection of granite tors offering views towards Lake Crackenback and Thredbo Valley.  

From here, we’re on the home stretch for our day’s walk with just a few more kilometres to go before we reach Perisher Valley. It’s approximately a 30-minute drive from Perisher to Jindabyne.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Distance: 13km

We rise to greet our last full day on the trail and make our way back to where we left off yesterday at Perisher Valley.

Our walk today is along one of Kosciuszko National Park’s newest trails. Surrounded by twisted snow gums, we soon reach a lookout… and what a sight! The expansive view that greets us showcases Thredbo Valley and the Monaro Plains in all their glory. We pause here to savour it with hearts full of gratitude before starting a gentle descent as the trail takes us down towards Thredbo Valley.

Through towering alpine ash forest and tea tree gullies, we continue along the route. Crossing gently over raised boardwalks protecting the delicate mossy alpine bogs beneath, we walk alongside Thredbo River against the backdrop of Ramshead Range. Surrounded by beauty, we continue along the track to the end point of the Snowies Alpine Walk at Bullocks Flat.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Distance: 12km

This morning is a time to savour these final hours in Jindabyne with some shopping or time at the lake, before packing and checking out of our accommodation.

We then make our way to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to hopefully spot the elusive Platypus, on route back to Canberra. Tidbinbilla is a 55 square kilometre protected area, located on the fringe of beautiful Namadgi National Park, and is a protected home to a diverse range of native animals. It is also a place of historical and ongoing significance to the Ngunnawal people. Our time here provides you quiet time to wander along shaded easy to walk bushland trails and boardwalks at your own pace. It’s also a beautiful spot to enjoy lunch.

From here, we drive into Canberra and to the airport, where our Snowies Alpine Adventure concludes. 

If you would like to extend your stay in Canberra, we are happy to assist with additional accommodation and activities. If you are flying out this evening, please do not book your domestic flight for departure before 6 pm.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Walking Distance: Up to 3km

We grade the overall walking on this itinerary as MODERATE – CHALLENGING
(see our grading system)

This grading is provided as general advice only, and is based on our assessment and also feedback from past participants. Please consider your level of fitness and experience in regard to this rating, and if you’re unsure please contact us for more information.

Guthega to Charlotte Pass

Distance: 10km
Elevation Gain: 425m
Elevation Loss: 225m

Main Range Loop

Distance: 24km
Elevation Gain: 850m
Elevation Loss: 850m

Charlotte Pass to Perisher Valley

Distance: 13km
Elevation Gain: 400m
Elevation Loss: 450m

Perisher Valley to Bullocks Flat

Distance: 12km
Elevation Gain: 150m
Elevation Loss: 750m

10 REASONS TO WALK WITH US

Realistic Itineraries
we want you to love and be inspired by the Snowy Mountains. This tour itinerary is well-designed and realistic, allowing you to complete the full itinerary ….. we don’t over sell and under deliver

Be Fulfilled
this itinerary is designed to maximise your awe and leave you fulfilled. You hike the full Snowies Alpine Walk, summit Mount Kosciuszko, and visit Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to hopefully spot the elusive Platypus. We’ve planned this itinerary so you get the full experience and time to relax ….. you won’t leave feeling unfulfilled

Nature Connection
we want you to feel de-stressed and re-energised. So, our guides are also nature facilitators with skills to immerse you with your surrounds. Not only do we safely guide you and share our knowledge, we also provide invitations for you to slow down and connect deeper with nature whilst walking the trail (included activities such as an introduction to Shinrin-yoku ‘Forest Bathing’ ) <learn more about Forest Bathing here> ….. we’re pioneers of hiking with deep nature immersion

Group Fitness
we want you to succeed and maximise your enjoyment, so pre-tour training walks, training programs, and group chats online are provided leading up to your walking tour (included as part of the tour price). These will assist you to practice on terrain that you are likely to encounter, meet your guides and other group members, ask questions on what to expect, receive advice on the trail, travel, and the destination, and gauge your level of fitness. Many people underestimate the difficulty of walking this trail and end up under-prepared and unfulfilled ….. so we invest in your preparation

Meaningful Moments
we will bring your Snowies Alpine experience alive ….. a guide book and phone App can’t do this as well as our local guides

Flexibility (2 guides)
our departures have 2 experienced guides. Having 2 guides means we can better cater for group dynamics and individual needs. Factors such as sickness, injuries and incidents can mean changes to the itinerary become necessary, and if there was only 1 guide then these changes will impact on your expectations and your level of enjoyment ….. avoiding this is why we always have 2 guides

Safety
our wilderness trained guides carry comprehensive group first-aid kits, satellite communication devices, and safety equipment. Our Adelaide based guide supports a local guide on this tour. In addition, safety procedures are in place, and constant communication is undertaken with local emergency services. There isn’t mobile phone coverage along sections of this trail ….. so for your safety, we always have multiple communication devices

Timing
we go at the best time of the year for comfortable walking conditions. We can’t guarantee perfect weather everyday, but you can book with confidence 

Small Groups
a maximum of 10 only on each departure. Meaning, it’s better for the environment, and you won’t feel like you’re just a number in the crowd

Travel Assistance
our in-house travel specialists can assist you with travel insurance. If you’re arriving from interstate or from international destinations we can also package any accommodation, flights, and add-ons in addition to this tour. Package your Snowies Alpine walk with us and save stress, time and money

This adventure includes hiking, creek crossings, elevated boardwalks, steep inclines and declines, uneven surfaces, rocky trails, plus moving luggage to and from accommodation.  Please talk to us about your accessibility needs before booking.