Charlotte Pass Village and Mt Stilwell Loop
Ngarigo Country

1 h 45 min to 2 h 15 min

4.1 km
circuit

↑ 267 m
↓ -267 m

Hard track
This loop walk starts at Charlotte Pass, and winds up to Mt Stilwell's peak, with stunning views in every direction. The walk then goes along the ridge line to the village lookdown, near the demolished Tbar station, before returning to the village through the snow gum forest. There is an optional side trip to the village dam, in Spencers Creek, that is a nice area for a picnic before returning to the village. Let us begin by acknowledging the Ngarigo people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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looking down towards the village. | Photo by admin, 2008.
top of the tbar. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Historic ski lift. | Photo by admin, 2008.
view from top of ridge. | Photo by admin, 2008.
top of kangaroo ridge chairlift. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Trig station ontop of Mt Stilwell. | Photo by admin, 2008.
view from the top of mt stilwell. | Photo by admin, 2008.
views from the lookdown. | Photo by admin, 2008.
winding up through the snowgums. | Photo by admin, 2008.
charlottes pass dam. | Photo by admin, 2008.
bottom of kangaroo ridge chairlift. | Photo by admin, 2008.
charlottes pass village. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-36.4346655,148.3321948)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
DirectionsFrom Barry Way
  • Turn on to Kosciuszko Road then drive for 12.4 km
  • Keep left and drive for another 255 m
  • Turn slight left onto Kosciuszko Road and drive for another 26.3 km
  • Turn left onto Charlotte Pass Access and drive for another 770 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the bottom of the Basin Poma lift, this walk follows the grassy management trail which winds along the side of the hill. The walk turns up the ridge towards the top of the Pulpit T-bar and leaves the management trail as it fades out. The walk continues up the ridge to the top of the Pulpit T-bar.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
There is a toilet (about 50 m back from the start).
After 80 m cross the ford.
After another 9 m pass the "Bella Vista Staff Lodge" (15 m on your right).
After another 40 m turn left.
After another 430 m veer left, to head along Mount Stilwell Walking Track.
After another 660 m find the "Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lookout platform" (10 m on your right).
Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lookout platform
Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lookout platform

At the top of the Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lies a steel platform. This partially fenced lookout offers broad views to the north-west over the Snowy River valley and across the Main Range. From the chairlift, there are also views down to Charlotte Pass Village.
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At the top of the Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lies a steel platform. This partially fenced lookout offers broad views to the north-west over the Snowy River valley and across the Main Range. From the chairlift, there are also views down to Charlotte Pass Village.
After another 880 m turn left.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Village Lookdown. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 750 m turn sharp left.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Charlotte Pass Dam. To start this optional side trip turn sharp left here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 920 m turn right.
After another 210 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 45 m find the "Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel" (10 m on your right).
Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel
Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel

Spend new years eve in one of Australias highest resorts as the Kosciuszko Chalet opens in the summer from the 26th of December to the 12th of January. For more information and bookings, call 1800 026 369 or visit the websit on the link attached
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Spend new years eve in one of Australias highest resorts as the Kosciuszko Chalet opens in the summer from the 26th of December to the 12th of January. For more information and bookings, call 1800 026 369 or visit the websit on the link attached
Continue straight, to head along Charlotte Pass Access.
After another 80 m find the "Charlotte Pass Village" (on your left).
Charlotte Pass Village
Charlotte Pass Village

Charlotte Pass is a small village consisting mostly of resorts and hotels, and a number of neighbouring ski runs. This small township is located a stone's throw from the end of Kosciuszko Road, where the turning circle and public toilets were put in place after the last stretch of the road (that winds down across the Snowy River and up to Rawsons Pass via Seamans Hut) was closed to public vehicles.
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Charlotte Pass is a small village consisting mostly of resorts and hotels, and a number of neighbouring ski runs. This small township is located a stone's throw from the end of Kosciuszko Road, where the turning circle and public toilets were put in place after the last stretch of the road (that winds down across the Snowy River and up to Rawsons Pass via Seamans Hut) was closed to public vehicles.
Continue straight, to head along Charlotte Pass Access.
After another 25 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Village Lookdown.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Charlotte Pass Village Lookdown (about 85 m back from the start).
Charlotte Pass Village Lookdown
Charlotte Pass Village Lookdown

The Charlotte Pass village lookdown is located on the ridge line east of Mt Stilwell, where the remains of what appears to be an old Tbar lift leading down into the valley to the south are located. From the lookdown you can also see all the way across to the tall cliffs behind Blue Lake and to Mt Twynam in the distance.
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The Charlotte Pass village lookdown is located on the ridge line east of Mt Stilwell, where the remains of what appears to be an old Tbar lift leading down into the valley to the south are located. From the lookdown you can also see all the way across to the tall cliffs behind Blue Lake and to Mt Twynam in the distance.

After 300 m come to the "Little Stillwell".
After another 95 m turn around.
Continue another 195 m to find Little Stillwell at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 590 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Charlotte Pass Dam.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 140 m come to the end.
About 55 m past the end is "Charlotte Pass Dam".
Charlotte Pass Dam
Charlotte Pass Dam

Charlotte Pass Dam is a relatively small store of water in the upper reaches of Spencers Creek, and a short stroll south from the Charlotte Pass village.
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Charlotte Pass Dam is a relatively small store of water in the upper reaches of Spencers Creek, and a short stroll south from the Charlotte Pass village.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 140 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Charlotte Pass Village and Mt Stilwell Loop


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 4.1 km
Time 1 h 45 min to 2 h 15 min
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route
Hostel: There is one 40 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one -50 m back from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
-50 m[toilet]
Hostel
40 mBella Vista Staff Lodge
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Covered in snow part of the year
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 carry 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. Between the long weekend in June and October, the road between Perisher Village and Charlotte Pass is closed by the RTA. It is possible to organise oversnow transport.
Charlotte Pass Village
Charlotte Pass is a small village consisting mostly of resorts and hotels, and a number of neighbouring ski runs. This small township is located a stone's throw from the end of Kosciuszko Road, where the turning circle and public toilets were put in place after the last stretch of the road (that winds down across the Snowy River and up to Rawsons Pass via Seamans Hut) was closed to public vehicles.
Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lookout platform
At the top of the Kangaroo Ridge chairlift lies a steel platform. This partially fenced lookout offers broad views to the north-west over the Snowy River valley and across the Main Range. From the chairlift, there are also views down to Charlotte Pass Village.
Mount Stilwell
At approximately 2040m above sea level, Mount Stilwell is the highest peak in the ridgeline winding around the southern side of Charlotte Pass village. With arguably one of the best views in the Kosciusko National Park, Mount Stilwell's peak looks down at the village, and out across the main range to Headley Tarn, Blue Lake and Mount Twynam, and the Snowy River. There is also the lower half of an old trig point located at the peak which, when whole, was used for navigation.
Charlotte Pass Village Lookdown
The Charlotte Pass village lookdown is located on the ridge line east of Mt Stilwell, where the remains of what appears to be an old Tbar lift leading down into the valley to the south are located. From the lookdown you can also see all the way across to the tall cliffs behind Blue Lake and to Mt Twynam in the distance.
Charlotte Pass Dam
Charlotte Pass Dam is a relatively small store of water in the upper reaches of Spencers Creek, and a short stroll south from the Charlotte Pass village.
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