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 views of Thredbo Valley.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Kosciuszko National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Merritts Traverse bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Merritts Traverse 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
6km
Time
3 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
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)
*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
2.8km of this walk is very steep and another 2.7km is flat with no steps. Whilst another 1.4km has short steep hills and the remaining 690m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
4.3km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 2.9km follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (430m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 4.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3.3km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.6km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 5km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 2.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 8km 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.
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
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
Top of Snowgums chairlift Track: Hard - bushtrack,servicetrail
Length = 420 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -84 m
Turn sharp left: From the top of the chairlift[3], this walk heads straight downhill (keeping the chairlift to your left) following paved management trail[4]. After about 25m, this walk veers right to leave the paved trail, now following the dirt track marked by the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[5]. The track follows the arrow posts among the granite boulders[6] and down the long series of steps that leads under the chairlift[7]. The track continues to wind steeply down the hill[8] and after some time, comes to a clear 'T' intersection with a dirt management trail marked with another 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[9]. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[10] downhill along the wide management trail, keeping the main valley to your right. The trail soon leads to a four-way intersection marked with a 'Kosciuszko Walk' sign[11], just above the top of Snowgums chairlift[12].
(2.28 km)
Top of Snowgums chairlift
to
Lower bench seat Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 293 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -73 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track that leads down the left side of the Snowgums chairlift, where the track soon passes a 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[13]. The track heads left, away from the chairlift through some snow gums and winds steeply down the hill[14]. About 100m from the chairlift, the walk turns right at a minor intersection[15] (the left branch leads to a view of a small fall) - here, the main track leads down more steep steps to come to a small clearing, with a view of the creek[16] and a wooden bench seat[17]. Veer right: From the bench seat[18], this walk follows the clear track downhill, which soon heads down the steep steps[19][20], coming to another bench seat (and another good excuse for a rest).
Lower bench seat
Alt = 1784 m
This small lookout on Merritts Nature Track provides a seat[21] and a view looking north across a wide gully[22]. A small creek cascades down the rocks through the gully. There is limited natural shade from the snow gums here. A nice place to rest and enjoy the view whilst giving your knees a rest.
(2.57 km)
Lower Bench Seat
to
Int of Merritts nature track and Village trail (upper) Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 207 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -48 m
Veer right: From the bench seat[23], this walk follows the track heading downhill away from the creek[24]. The track passes over a timber[25] then metal[26] section of boardwalk, before heading down a series of steep steps[27]. The track winds down the hill, passing some large boulders[28] before heading down a timber ramp[29] to a four-way intersection with a wide management trail.
(2.78 km)
Int of Merritts nature track and Village trail (upper)
to
Bottom of Antons Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 466 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -42 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Traverse' sign[30] fairly steeply downhill along the wide management trail, as it bends to the right[31]. Soon the walk comes to an intersection and turns sharply left[32] following another 'Merritts Traverse' sign[33]. Now fairly flat, the trail bends around the side of the hill, crossing a creek[34] and then, about 200m later, coming to Sponars T-bar lower station[35]. Continuing along the wide trail (following the arrow posts[36] for just over 200m), this walk then comes to the station at the bottom of Antons T-bar[37].
(3.25 km)
Bottom of Antons
to
Top of Gunbarrel Express Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 504 m
Time = 17 mins
Climb = 85 m
Descent = -11 m
Continue straight: From the station at the bottom of Antons T-bar[38], this walk follows the arrow post[39] along the clear management trail, steeply up the hill. After about 150m, the trail passes just below 'Frostbite' cafe[40][41] (only open in winter) and continues steeply up the hill[42]. Just as the trail begins to flatten out, it passes an intersection (ignoring the trail on your left) marked with a 'Merritts Traverse' sign[43]. Here the walk continues uphill and soon crosses a creek (with a small dam[44] on your left), coming to the large station at the top of Gunbarrel Express chairlift[45].
Top of Gunbarrel Express
Alt = 1783 m
The top station of Gunbarrel Express provides shade[46], shelter and views into the valley[47]. In winter, this chairlift provides access to the blue and green ski runs on the eastern side of Thredbo[48]. There is a small weir behind the top station that would require treatment before drinking[49].
(3.75 km)
Top of Gunbarrel Express
to
Bottom of The Cruiser Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 839 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -125 m
Continue straight: From the station at the top of Gunbarrel Express[50], this walk heads east following the wide management trail, keeping the main valley to your right[51]. Soon this walk takes the right-hand fork at the 'Y' intersection, following the 'Merritts Traverse' sign[52] gently downhill. After about 300m of following the arrow posts[53] across a couple of ski runs, this walk comes to another 'Merritts Traverse' sign[54]. Here the walk turns right and heads down the middle of the ski run[55]. Soon the grassy trail leads to the left, following an arrow post through a grove of trees[56], and then turns right[57] and follows beside the chairlift[58] down to the station at the bottom of 'The Cruiser'[59].
(4.59 km)
Bottom of The Cruiser
to
Schuss intersection Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 1.53 km
Time = 37 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -261 m
Turn left : From the the bottom of the chairlift[60], this walk follows the 'Merritts Traverse' sign[61] downhill along the wide management trail, initially keeping the Cruiser station to your right[62]. The trail leads down the hill, fairy steeply in places, and after about 270m, the trail bends sharply left[63] then after a further 240m, it bends sharply right[64]. The trail leads through the snow gum forest[65] and past a few small service buildings[66][67] to pass under a chairlift[68]. Just over 200m after passing under Gunbarrel Express chairlift, the trail heads over a creek[69] then follows beside Merritts chairlift[70] to find a clear three-way intersection[71]. There is another 'Merritts Traverse' sign[72] pointing back up the hill.
(6.11 km)
Schuss intersection
to
Friday Flats Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 478 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -55 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from Merritts Chairlift[73] and the face of the 'Merritts Traverse' sign[74], to head downhill along the management trail[75]. This section of the walk follows the 'Sundowner' ski run over a (lovely mossy) creek[76] and down this hill to Friday Flats[77], a large open area at the bottom of Gunbarrel Express[78]. Just beyond the chairlift station, this walk comes to an intersection at the start of the sealed driveway, marked with a 'Bridle Trail Loop' and 'Merritts Traverse' sign[79].
Friday Flat
Alt = 1360 m
Friday Flat is an open flat area at the Bottom of the Easy-Does-it and Gunbarrel chairlifts. Friday Flat is a hub for beginner and hungry skiers in winter. In summer, all the facilities are closed, but the web cam seems to run most of the time[80].
(6.59 km)
Friday Flats
to
Thredboland intersection Walk: Easy - road
Length = 61 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the driveway down the hill[81], past 'Thredboland'[82] to come to a 'T' intersection[83] with Friday Drive (about 80m south of the roundabout).
(6.65 km)
Thredboland intersection
to
Int of Friday Drive and Merritts Nature Track Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 426 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath keeping Friday Dr to your left, heading away from the roundabout, to cross a bridge almost immediately. The walk continues along the side of the road past 'River Inn'[84] and about 100m later passes the 'Thredbo Leisure Centre'[85] (on the other side of the road). Just shy of 200m later this walk comes to an intersection with a set of steps signposted as 'Merritts Nature Track'[86] (on your right), just before the Thredbo River bridge[87].
(7.08 km)
Int of Friday Drive and Merritts Nature Track
to
Int of Riverview Terrace track and Merritts Nature Track Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 71 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Track' sign[88] up the steps[89] and along the paved footpath, soon coming to a 'T' intersection marked with a 'Merritts Nature Walk' sign[90].
(7.15 km)
Int of Riverview Terrace track and Merritts Nature Track
to
Bottom of bobsled run Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 235 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -8 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Merritts Nature Walk' sign[91] along the paved footpath, keeping the road and valley to your left. The path soon crosses a metal grate[92] and heads through a grove of trees, coming to a three-way intersection marked with an arrow post[93] (and a 'Merritts Nature Track' sign pointing up the steps the right[94]). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the paved footpath west towards the clearing[95], keeping the valley to your left. The footpath soon leads out of the bush[96] and then along side the bobsled run[97] to find the building at the bottom of the run[98].
Thredbo Bobsled
Alt = 1365 m
With a twisting and turning path more than 700m long, this luge-style track is a great summer activity for the family to enjoy whilst staying in Thredbo. Offering individual rides or day passes, allowing you to enjoy this fun ride as many times as you want as you whizz down the mountain on your cart, controlling your speed with a neat hand-break system. More info
(7.39 km)
Bottom of bobsled run
to
Bottom of Kosciuszko Express chairlift Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 225 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -6 m
Continue straight: From the bottom of the bobsled run, this walk heads around the building, down the ramp[99] and along the sealed path towards the tennis courts[100]. The walk follows the path beside the tennis courts[101], then through the car park, and around the front of the buildings[102][103] to find the entrance to the ticket sales for the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, and a large map.
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) 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 :)