Mount Kosciuszko summit trails: route guide

The summit trails sit in the Main Range of Kosciuszko National Park, in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. The two main trailheads are Thredbo village in the east and Charlotte Pass to the north-east, both reached by Kosciuszko Road from Jindabyne.

Mount Kosciuszko itself is at approximately -36.4502, 148.2806. Trails are signposted and marked, but snow can cover the route markers outside summer, so carry a map and compass or a charged GPS.

There are three main summit routes. The Kosciuszko Walk starts at the top of the Thredbo chairlift and follows a metal walkway across the headwaters of the Snowy River to Rawson Pass, then a short climb to the summit. It is the shortest and easiest way up, and the one most day-trippers use.

The Summit Walk runs from Charlotte Pass along the old road to Rawson Pass, passing Seaman's Hut, a stone shelter built in 1929. It is longer but gentler than the Main Range Track and suits walkers who want a full day out without steep scrambling.

The Main Range Track is the classic loop: from Charlotte Pass it climbs to Blue Lake, crosses the Snowy River, passes Club Lake and Lake Albina, then joins the summit before returning. Sections are steep and exposed, and it draws fewer people than the other two.

Summer, roughly December to April, is the reliable window: trails are usually clear of snow, daylight is long, and the alpine wildflowers peak in January and February. This is also the busiest period, so start early to avoid crowds at the summit and to leave a buffer for afternoon storms.

Winter turns the Main Range into a snow-covered route that needs snowshoes or touring skis, avalanche awareness and solid navigation. The Kosciuszko Walk and Summit Walk are still used in winter but are not a casual walk then. Check the forecast for Thredbo Top Station or Charlotte Pass no earlier than a week before you hike, and expect rapid changes at any time of year.

Thredbo is the most convenient base for the Kosciuszko Walk: lodges, apartments and a campground sit within walking distance of the chairlift. It is also the largest village in the park, with shops and hire outlets for winter clothing and gear.

Charlotte Pass has a single lodge and limited services, so most walkers doing the Summit Walk or Main Range Track stay in Thredbo, Perisher Valley or Jindabyne and drive in. Jindabyne, about 30-40 minutes from the park entrance, has the widest range of motels, hostels and holiday rentals and is usually the cheapest option.

Camping is possible in some areas of the park, but alpine camping needs a proper tent, warm sleeping bag and food storage; check current NPWS rules before planning an overnight.

Alpine weather is the main risk. Even in summer, temperatures at 2,000 m can drop close to freezing, and wind and rain arrive quickly. Carry a waterproof jacket, warm layer, hat, gloves, sun protection, at least two litres of water per person, food and a charged phone or GPS with spare batteries; cold drains batteries fast.

Fill out a trip intention form and consider borrowing a free personal locator beacon from an NPWS office, especially for the Main Range Track. Tell someone your route and expected return time. Mobile coverage is patchy away from the villages.

Park entry fees apply per vehicle per day (2026 estimate), and the Thredbo chairlift runs in summer for a fee; check current prices and operating dates before you travel. Winter clothing bought in Thredbo or Perisher is expensive, so bring your own or hire in Jindabyne.