Starting near Dead Horse Gap on the Alpine Way, you will follow the wide Cascade Trail past Bobs Ridge to Cascade Hut in the Pilot Wilderness Area. You follow the Thredbo River for a while before heading over Bobs Ridge, enjoying the distant views into Victoria. The walk then explores a few wooded forests before crossing Cascade Creek and then finding Cascade Hut. The hut is a great place to rest or camp.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Kosciuszko National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)
Cross sectional view of the Cascade Hut bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cascade Hut bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
20km
Time
7 hrs 30 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
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)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
Around 9km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 1.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
Around 9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 1.1km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 4.9km has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
7km of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience and another 2.2km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (110m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 10km of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 110m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 10km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 110m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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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.
Dead Horse Gap
Alt = 1543 m
Dead Horse Gap is a relativley low mountain pass in the Great Dividing Range at 1582m AMSL. It was once a meeting place for Aboriginal groups in the summer, where they would perform ceremonies and trade with each other. In nature the pass acts as a funnel for the migration of insects and birds[1]. In the early 20th century, the pass became increasingly popular with stockmen, who brought sheep and cattle to the mountains each summer.[2]
(0 km)
Cascades Trail track head
to
North side of Thredbo River Bridge track Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 2.13 km
Time = 44 mins
Climb = 100 m
Descent = -48 m
From the car park (on the Alpine Way 5.4km west of Friday Drive), this walk follows the 'Cascade Trail' sign[3] along the management trail and around the locked gate. The trail soon leads past a 'Wilderness Entry' information sign[4] as it winds along the side of the hill, keeping the Thredbo River below[5] and to your right. The trail leads up the side of the hill moderately steeply[6], crossing a few small creeks[7][8] before leading back down to cross another creek, very close to the Thredbo River[9]. Here the trail continues through the valley for about 400m to find an intersection with a track[10] (on the right, leading to a bridge), just before the trail crosses the Thredbo River[11].
(2.13 km)
North side of Thredbo River Bridge track
to
Bobs Ridge Track: Hard - bushtrack,servicetrail
Length = 2.72 km
Time = 1 hr 4 mins
Climb = 212 m
Descent = -19 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the narrow track[12] to cross the Thredbo River on the flat, narrow, metal bridge[13]. Then, a short track leads to an intersection, meeting again with the Cascade Trail[14] (now on the other side of the creek crossing). Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill along the management trail[15], away from the Thredbo River. The trail soon bends left and crosses a smaller creek[16], then winds up out of the valley, passing some short granite tors[17] (on your right). Here the trail bends right and leads up into the snow gum forest. The trail climbs up along the ridge (with a view across the valley to Thredbo behind) and about 900m after entering the snow gum forest, the trail flattens out for a few hundred metres (passing a faint track on your right which leads to a clearing). The trail then begins to climb again and after about 200m, leads through a section of dead snow gums and continues uphill to find a 'Bobs Ridge' sign[18] near a few large granite outcrops (on your right) and some great views.
Bob's Ridge
Alt = 1785 m
Bob's Ridge is a highlight along the Cascades Trail. The ridge is signposted[19], and a large granite outcrop is just to the west of the signpost. The rounded boulders vary in shape and size[20]. It is possible to climb up some of the rocks for an even better view. On a clear day, there are expansive views south-west across the Murray River valley into Victoria[21], only 6.5km away. There are many interesting rock formations to enjoy and, if you are quiet, you may see Brumbies that enjoy the grove of trees to the south.
(4.85 km)
Bobs Ridge
to
Cascade Creek Crossing Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 3.88 km
Time = 1 hr 17 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -345 m
Continue straight: From Bobs Ridge[22], this walk heads south along the management trail gently downhill, initially keeping the granite tors to your right[23]. The trail soon heads across the small valley[24] (ignoring the faint trail on the left[25]) and follows the broad ridge downhill. The trail leads through the lovely snow gum forest[26] with a scattering of granite boulders[27] for about 2.3km, where the trail bends sharply left at a hair-pin bend[28]. Soon after this bend, the trail heads moderately steeply[29] down to cross a valley with a grove of tall Alpine Ash trees[30]. After crossing the small creek[31], the trail leads along the side of the hill though a run of dead alpine ash and snow gums[32]. The trail then leads down two short but steep sections[33], leaving the trees to come to an intersection[34] just before Cascade Creek[35].
(8.72 km)
Cascade Creek Crossing
to
Cascade Hut intersection Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 979 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -7 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the creek using the flat metal bridge[36] (just upstream of the main crossing[37]), marked with a solitary snow gum. The walk then turns left and follows the management trail beside the creek[38] for about 80m before bending right around a rock outcrop[39] and heading up to the tree line. The trail then heads briefly through some snow gums before leading along the side of the hill below the tree line for a while[40]. Then about 300m after entering the next lot of snow gums[41], the trail bends right (leaving the main valley), coming to an intersection with a grassy management trail[42] (on your left).
(9.7 km)
Cascade Hut intersection
to
Cascade Hut Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 112 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -11 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads south, downhill along the grassy management trail[43], away from the main trail. The trail leads through the trees and soon comes to a clearing[44] and Cascade Hut[45].
Cascade Hut
Alt = 1480 m
Cascade Hut was built by Bill Nankervis and other stock-men in 1935 to assist with their grazing. This hut is made from horizontal slabs of wood[46], with the roof and floor having been upgraded over the years. There is a wooden sleeping platform[47] and fireplace[48] inside. There is good camping around the hut, with flat fields, a large fire scar with bench seating[49], a toilet [50] and plenty of brumbies[51] to add interest. Cascade Hut is maintained by Ilawarra Alpine Club.[52]More info
Fire Danger This walk passes Monaro Alpine fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) This walk passes Southern Slopes fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Region: South Coast & Highlands Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Kosciuszko National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Closed areas: Thredbo Diggings campground closed to caravans Thredbo Diggings campground is currently closed to all caravans and camping trailers due to continuing wet conditions. There will be limited sites available for tents. Caravans and camping trailer sites are available at Ngarigo, Island Bend and Tom Groggin campgrounds. For more information please phone (02) 6450 5620.
Closed areas: Island Bend campground partially closed due to maintenance Partial closure of Island Bend campground due to maintenance. Camp sites are now available at the lower camp at Island Bend in Kosciuszko National Park. Other sites have been fenced and will remain closed for 6 to 12 months following capping works to ameliorate the asbestos risk and to allow for revegetation. Please observe all signs and closures. For more information, please contact Andrew Miller at the NPWS Jindabyne Office or on 0427 437391 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page. Download a map of the closed area.
Closed areas: Winter road closures The following roads will be closed until the October long weekend, unless weather allows them to be opened in late September:
Behrs Flat trail
Blue Waterholes trail
Broken Cart trail
Bullocks Hill trail
Cabramurra - Khancoban Road (KNP5)
Cumberland trail
Four Mile Hill trail
Geehi Dam Road (Olsen's Road)
Goobragandra Powerline Road
Kings Cross Road
Link Road
Long Plain Road
Major Clews Road
Manjar Road
Perisher to Charlotte Pass
Pocket Saddle Road
Port Phillip trail
Tantangra Dam Road
Three Mile Dam access trails
Davies Plain track
and all associated subsidiary roads and access trails. The Murray River crossing into Victoria at Tom Groggin campground is closed until 29 October 2015 due to winter road closures by Parks Victoria. There will be no access into Davies Plain, Mt Pinnibar and Tom Groggin fire trails in the Victorian Alpine National Park. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Tumut Visitor Centre on (02) 6497 7025 or the NPWS Snowy Region Visitor Centre on (02) 6450 5600, or visit the NSW National Parks safety page.
Closed areas: Thredbo Valley track reopening Sunday 27 September 2015 Sections 1 and 2 (Thredbo to Ngarigo) of the Thredbo Valley track will be reopening on Sunday 27 September 2015. The track from The Diggings to Skitube- Bullocks Flat, Bullocks Hut and Lake Crackenback Resort will remain open. The Bullocks and Muzzlewood tracks will also remain open. For more information, please contact the Snowy Region Visitor Centre, Jindabyne on (02) 6450 5600 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
not too much longer now :)