Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Seamans Hut
Ngarigo Country

4 h to 4 h 30 min

11.9 km
return

↑ 237 m
↓ -237 m

Hard track
This nice walk starts from Charlotte Pass and follows the old Kosciuszko Road through the mountains to Seamans Hut, crossing the famous Snowy River along the way. Seamans Hut is a great place to enjoy lunch and is openly available for day use (and for emergency use at night). Most of this walk gives excellent grandstand views across the valley and down the Snowy River. The walk follows a well defined management trail (that was once a public road) with signposts along the way. 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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Sign at start of the Summit Walk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Start of the Summit Trail. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Wildflowers brighten the walk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Scenic landscapes. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along the Summit Trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking back on Blue Lake track from Summit Walk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Interesting alpine trees on Summit Walk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Trail and snowpoles along the ridge side. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Natural beauty beside the Old Kosckiuszko Rd. | Photo by admin, 2008.
8km to Mt Kosciuszko. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Celmisia Longifolia (Silver Snow Daisy). | Photo by admin, 2008.
8km to the Summit. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Along the Summit trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
The views change as clouds roll in but still stunning country. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Snow poles guide this section of the walk. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Icy rivers. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Historic Kosciuszko milestone. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Merritts Creek Bridge. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Snowy River Bridge. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Upper Snowy River. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Information sign on the Snowy River. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Old Kosckiuszko Road nearing Seaman's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Seaman's Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Seamans Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Welcome to Seamans Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Remembering Lives lost. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Inside Seamans Hut. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Looking out the window at Seamans Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Semans Hut door. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Seamans Hut. | Photo by admin, 2010.
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 At the intersection of Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk & Kosciuszko Road (-36.4318081,148.3283279)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the end of Kosciuszko Rd at Charlotte Pass (just near the toilet block), this walk heads along a wide management trail, following the large 'Summit walk' sign. The walk initially dips down a bit and heads through a grove of snow gums. This walk soon leaves the snow gums and the landscape opens to a fantastic view of the Snowy River and the valley (on your right). After about 1km, the walk passes a yellow 'MT K 8' sign on a snow pole. This walk continues along the management trail and gently undulates up along the side of the long ridge, passing several more 'Mt K' milestone signs counting down. After a while, the old road heads up and over a ridge, passing the 'MT K 5' and the original 'K 3' milestone (on your left) to find the un-signposted concrete bridge over Merritts Creek.
From the bridge, this walk follows the management trail west through the valley, where the trail soon bends right and passes a 'Snowy River' sign, coming to the bridge crossing the river.....
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk & Kosciuszko Road Start heading along Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk (a vehicle track).
There is a car park (about 40 m back from the start).
Covered in snow part of the year (about 30 m back from the start).
Covered in snow part of the year
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.
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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 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.

After another 90 m pass the toilet (25 m on your left).
After another 1.2 km cross the ford.
After another 860 m cross the ford.
After another 2.4 km cross the bridge (about 30 m long)
After another 1.4 km continue straight, to head along Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk.
After another 20 m come to the "Seamans Hut" (20 m on your right).
Continue another 10 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 6 km to get back to the start.
"Seamans Hut".
Seamans Hut
Seamans Hut

This hut was erected in 1929, after a young skier named Laurie Seaman perished in a blizzard when he was separated from his group. The hut was built using money donated by Seaman's parents, for the use of those who might need emergency shelter in the mountains. It was renovated in 1938 due to fire. Seamans Hut is a 7m x3m granite stone building with a wood stove, although there is little wood in the area.
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This hut was erected in 1929, after a young skier named Laurie Seaman perished in a blizzard when he was separated from his group. The hut was built using money donated by Seaman's parents, for the use of those who might need emergency shelter in the mountains. It was renovated in 1938 due to fire. Seamans Hut is a 7m x3m granite stone building with a wood stove, although there is little wood in the area.

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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Summit Trail - Charlotte Pass to Seamans Hut


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 11.9 km
Time 4 h to 4 h 30 min
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route
Hut: There is one 6 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 100 m from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
100 m[toilet]
Hut
6 kmSeamans Hut
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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.
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