This scenic walk explores the start of the track heading towards Mt Kosciuszko from the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift. The walk takes you to the Kosciuszko Lookout, following along side the Rams Head Range, along the metal walkway. This walk takes in the views of Thredbo, North Rams Head and Mt Kosciuszko. From the lookout you can even see the headwaters of the Snowy River, a few hundred meters to the north.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Kosciuszko National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Kosciuszko walk - Thredbo to Kosciuszko lookout
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 Kosciuszko walk - Thredbo to Kosciuszko lookout bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Kosciuszko walk - Thredbo to Kosciuszko lookout 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
3.8km
Time
2 hrs 30 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
*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
1.9km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 1.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (690m) has short steep hills.
Quality of track
Around 2.4km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 1.3km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 3.7km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 3.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
1.9km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation) and another 1.5km is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety. The remaining (350m) is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 3.7km 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.
Kosciuszko Express Chairlift
Alt = 1372 m
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[1]. 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[2]. More info
(0 km)
Bottom of Kosciuszko Express chairlift
to
Top of Kosciuszko Express chairlift Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - transport
Length = 1.86 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 558 m
Descent = -1 m
This walk heads into the 'Valley Terminal' building, where you can buy a ticket for the lift. Continue through the building and up the steps, where this walk turns right to find the bottom terminal of the 'Kosciuszko Express'. Walk up to the platform as directed by the chairlift operator and sit down in the seat, letting it scoop you up. Once seated, pull down the safety bar and enjoy the ride to the top of the ridge. :)
At the top step of the chair lift and turn left to find the restaurant (now on your right) and track information signs ahead. Note: The distance and altitude change for this ride is not included in the total for this walk.
Eagles Nest Restaurant
Alt = 1928 m
This is Australia's highest restaurant, providing great food and outstanding views. It is easily accessible, nestled on the mountain directly opposite the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and is open year-round. For more information, call (02) 64576019.
(1.86 km)
Top of Kosciuszko Express chairlift
to
Int of Dead Horse Gap track and Kosciuszko footpath Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 349 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the top of the chairlift[3], this walk follows the footpath around Eagles Nest restaurant[4][5] (keeping the building to your right). The walk passes the large map[6] and information signs[7], heading up the gentle hill along the paved path[8]. Near the top of the rise, the path leads to a signposted intersection with the 'Dead Horse Gap' track[9] (on your left), where there is also an arrow pointing back to 'Eagles Nest Restaurant'[10].
(2.21 km)
Int of Dead Horse Gap track and Kosciuszko footpath
to
Start of metal walkway Track: Hard - footpath
Length = 196 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -7 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Mt Kosciuszko Lookout' sign[11] north along the paved path, heading up the gentle hill. The path soon leads past an alcove with two information signs[12], then leads gently downhill to cross a river on a steel bridge[13] to find an intersection (with a narrow track on your right) at a lovely spot beside the creek.
(2.41 km)
Start of metal walkway
to
Int of Kosciuszko path and lookout walkway Track: Hard - footpath
Length = 1.28 km
Time = 31 mins
Climb = 117 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the bridge and up the metal steps, keeping the creek to your left. The path soon leads past a large 'Kosciuszko Walk' sign[14] and an 'Everything is connected' information sign[15]. Soon after the 'Thredbo 1.0km' badge[16][17] (welded to the track), this walk comes to a 'Plant communities - keeping a low profile' information sign[18], marking an intersection (where the snow-pole line starts to leave the main track)[19]. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk continues along the metal walkway, heading up the hill[20]. The walk soon passes a 'Flowers emerge with warmer weather' information sign[21], then heads up a series of steps to find 'A rocky mountain home' information sign[22] and a 'Thredbo 1.5km' tag[23] pointing back down the hill. The track mostly flattens out and heads over a gentle rise, soon leading to a clear 'Y' intersection[24] on the metal track, marked with 'Mt Kosciuszko Lookout' tag[25] welded to the track.
(3.69 km)
Int of Kosciuszko path and lookout walkway
to
Kosciuszko lookout Track: Hard - footpath
Length = 51 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
Veer right: From the intersection[26], this walk heads north-east along the metal path that branches off the main path. The path leads a short distance up some steps[27] to soon come to the metal platform at the Kosciuszko lookout[28][29].
Kosciuszko lookout
Alt = 2061 m
Kosciuszko lookout is about 30m off the main Kosciuszko walk, along a metal walkway. At the lookout, there is a larger platform with an information sign about how the landscape was formed over the years. Granting a great view of the Snowy Mountains to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko.
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 8 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.
Weather and Climate Weather and Climate summary wx71041
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 :)