Kosciuszko National Park

Cycling

Cycling on tracks and trails is a great way to experience the remarkable diversity of nature and magnificent landscapes found in parks.

There are literally thousands of kilometres of management trails open to cyclists criss-crossing parks in NSW. For the adventurous, exhilarating mountain bike single-track and multi-track experiences are available in certain national parks. For more information on cycling opportunities in the national parks of NSW go to our cycling home page. Please take time to find out about some simple Rules of the trail and safety when cycling in parks before setting out.

You’ll find a wide range of cycling opportunities in the park. Sealed roads such as the Alpine Way, Kosciuszko Road and Snowy Mountains Highway offer a very different experience to the narrow, unsealed Barry Way, which descends steeply into the valley of the Lower Snowy River. Different again are the remote-country cycling experiences on hundreds of kilometres of management trails within the park, which are closed to public vehicles.

Mountain bike riding is the most popular form of cycling in the park and while it is permitted on all public roads and most management trails, it is not permitted within wilderness areas.

In the central section of the park, day trips along the management trail from Dead Horse Gap to Cascade Hut and along the old Kosciuszko Road from Charlotte Pass to Rawson Pass are popular, as are trips along trails in Long Plain/Cooleman Plain areas to the north.

Some popular cycling routes are Mosquito Creek Trail, Port Phillip Trail and Blue Waterholes Trail. Other routes include Circuits Trail and Pedens Trail that pass huts along the way.

On the western side of the Snowy Mountains Highway, Wallace Creek and Cumberland Trails provide opportunities to see the western valleys from lookouts and vantage points while riding through sub-alpine woodlands and treeless plains or tall open forests.

Extreme mountain bike riding, where cyclists descend very steep terrain, is popular at Thredbo where chairlifts provide ready access to rides down the northern slopes of the Thredbo River valley.

Some rides follow parts of the Bicentennial National Trail (BNT) so can be linked together. Consider using support vehicles for set down and pick up. These trails also make popular walks. Bike riders must give way to walkers and horse riders.

Huts should only be used as emergency shelter. Huts undergoing conservation work and those available for overnight booking are not open to day visitors.

Millers Hut - 2km each way (one-way route)

Walking (medium difficulty, 1 hour 30 minutes each way)

Mountain biking (easy, 30 minutes each way)

Horse riding (easy)

General information

Park 2.5km east of Long Plain Road on Port Phillip Fire Trail. Travel south along the Australian Alps Walking Track for about 2km. Return the same way.

Millers Hut—Built 1943-44, it is a single-roomed corrugated iron and timber frame building with the remains of yards nearby.

Directions: Maps—Tantangara 1:100 000 and Rules Point 1:25 000

Gooandra Homestead - 4.7km each way (one-way route)

Walking (medium difficulty, 3 hours each way)

Mountain biking (medium difficulty, 45 minutes each way)

Horse riding (medium difficulty)

General information

This moderate walk or ride begins at the Gooandra Trail where it meets the Snowy Mountains Highway, 6km north of Kiandra.

The trail takes you across the Eucumbene River, traverses sub-alpine frost hollows on the Kiandra Plain, past the historic Six Mile Diggings, the headwaters of Gooandra Creek to the historic Gooandra Homestead. Gooandra has its origins in the Kiandra goldrush. The remains of another miner's hut about 20m away is still visible.

The huts

• Gooandra Homestead—The homestead is constructed of timber and weatherboard with an iron roof.

Directions: Maps—Tantangara 1: 25 000

Thredbo Valley shared-use track - 5.4km each way (one-way route)

Walking (easy, 3 hours each way)

Mountain biking (medium difficulty)

General information

There’s something for everyone along Thredbo Valley shared-use track. Load the car up with your mountain bikes; the track is easy, so offers great riding for all levels. You can also hike along it, taking in the many different types of plants and animals you pass along the way.

You’ll travel through tall mountain ash forests, snow gum woodlands and subalpine grasslands. There are even some mountain plum pines – a large, spreading native conifer species – that are thought to be about 400 years old.

This walk, or ride, is particularly beautiful in spring when the wildflowers are in bloom – watch out for the beautiful purple ‘hearts’ of the hovea. In summer, the days are long, so you can enjoy exploring well into the evening. If you like fishing, you might want to bring your gear with you. There are a few spots on Thredbo River where you could toss in a line and, hopefully, pull out a trout.

Directions: Currently, the completed section of the track is the 2.2km stretch between the Thredbo Diggings campground and Bullock's Hut - which can be also be accessed from the western side of the Bullock's Flat carpark (carpark C) opposite the Skitube terminal. Along the Alpine Way, the Bullock's Flat carpark is 20km from Jindabyne and the Thredbo Diggings campground is 22km from Jindabyne.

Plant communities: dry eucalypt forests

Opening hours: Thredbo Valley shared-use track is always open but may have to close during poor weather or because of fire danger.

Contact: Jindabyne, Phone: (02) 6450 5600

Pocket ride - 6.5km each way (one-way route)

Mountain biking (medium difficulty)

Horse riding (medium difficulty)

General information

This easy ride starts at the locked gate at the northern end of Pockets Saddle Road at Gurrangorambla Creek. Oldfield's Hut is 3.1km from here. Ride along Pockets Saddle Road and turn right into Murray Gap Trail.

Pockets Hut is 4.4km from the locked gate at Gurrangorambla Creek. Travel along Pockets Saddle Road and turn left into Blue Waterholes Trail then right into Pockets Hut Trail.

From Pockets Hut, you can return the way you came or start the Mosquito Run. Alternatively keen riders can continue to Blue Waterholes which lengthens the route by approximately 14km return. At Blue Waterholes, all riders must remain on the Blue Waterholes Trail. Ride along Leura Gap Trail for access into Namadgi National Park in the ACT.

The huts

• Oldfield’s Hut—Built in 1925, this is a typical slab hut with vertical boards. It has a covered verandah with views across the secluded valley where the Goodradigbee River originates.
• Pockets Hut—Built in the early 1930s, this weatherboard hut has four rooms and is lined with fibro. The chimney and roof are made of iron.

Directions: Gurrangorambla Creek to individual huts:

• Oldfield’s Hut 3.1km one-way
• Pockets Hut 4.4km one-way
  

Maps

• Tantangara 1:100,000
• Rules Point 1:25 000
• Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000

Murrumbidgee Ride - 10km each way (one-way route)

Horse riding (medium difficulty)

Mountain biking

General information

Some moderate riding with river crossings becoming more challenging the further you go. Start on Tantangara Road at the Murrumbidgee bridge crossing, 20km from the Snowy Mountains Highway. Pocket Saddle Road is beyond the crossing.

Walk or ride your bike/horse up Circuits Trail (heart starter). Continue onto Circuits Hut (total of 3.2km) or turn left onto Peden's Trail and cross Gulf Plain for the other huts. Turn left onto Townsend Trail for Townsend Hut (signposted).

Ride back to Peden's Trail and continue until you reach the track leading to Peden's Hut. From the hut ride back to Peden's Trail and then after a while turn left onto Murrumbidgee Trail.

Love Nest (in the Sallees) Hut is located off Murrumbidgee Trail, 200m north of the Clear Ridge and Murrumbidgee Trail intersection.

Alternative routes
For a shorter ride or walk, Circuit's Hut is 3.2km one-way from the Murrumbidgee bridge along Circuit's Trail.

This ride could include Circuits and Schofield’s Hut at an additional 12km return (see Plain Ride below) or by organising a car shuttle from Pockets Saddle Road and Murrumbidgee Trail to Tantangara Road and Schofields Trail.

The huts

• Townsend Hut—Constructed around 1940, the hut has three rooms, wood and fibro walls and an iron roof. There's also a shed at the rear of the building.
• Peden's Hut—Built in 1929, it replaced an 1890s slab hut. The hut is a simple construction with a timber frame and covered with galvanised iron.
• Love Nest (in the Sallees) Hut—This vertical slab hut is nestled amongst mature black sallees above Payten's Creek.

Directions: Circuits Hut trail to individual huts:

• Townsend Hut 4km one-way
• Peden's Hut 6km one-way
• Love Nest (in the Sallees) Hut 8.5km one-way
  

Maps

• Tantangara 1:100 000
• Tantangara 1:25 000

Mosquito Run - 17km each way (one-way route)

Mountain biking (medium difficulty)

Horse riding

General information

Some moderate riding with river crossings. Start at Ghost Gully - park you car at the designated horse camping area 4.5km east of Long Plain Road on Port Philip Trail.

Head north along the Mosquito Creek Trail. Hainsworth Hut is on the right. Continue for about 6.5km then veer right for Old Currango. The hut is 1.8km along the access trail. Ride 1.8km back to Mosquito Creek Trail and continue along to Bill Jones Hut. The hut is on the treeline, west of the junction of Bill Jones and Mosquito Creek trails.

From Bill Jones Hut you can return the way you came or extend your ride to Blue Waterholes, which lengthens the ride by 10km return. There is a camping area as well as two walks to enjoy. At Blue Waterholes, all riders must remain on the Blue Waterholes Trail.

You can also continue your ride to Oldfield's Hut (see Pocket Ride) and onto Pockets Hut, organising a car shuttle from the locked gate at Gurrangorambla Creek, on Pockets Saddle Road.

The route from Ghost Gully to Pockets Hut is part of the Australian Alps Walking Track.

The huts

• Hainsworth Hut—Built around 1951, it is a simple structure with a timber frame and covered in corrugated iron.
• Old Currango Homestead—Constructed around 1873, it is one of the oldest houses in the park. It is timber with a corrugated iron roof. The homestead is just below the treeline overlooking Currango Plains.
• Bill Jones Hut—Built in the early 1950s, possibly one of the last huts built as part of the grazing era. The hut has a timber frame and is covered in corrugated iron.

Directions: This 34km return ride includes all huts, as follows.

Ghost Gully to individual huts:

• Hainsworth Hut 3.5km one-way
• Old Currango 12.1km one-way
• Bill Jones Hut 15km one-way
• Blue Waterholes 18.4km one-way

Blue Waterholes to individual huts:

• Bill Jones Hut 5.5km one-way
• Old Currango 11km one-way
• Hainsworth Hut 16.6km one-way
• Ghost Gully 18.4km one-way

Maps

• Tantangara 1:100 000
• Rules Point 1:25 000

Cascade Hut trail - 19km (loop)

Mountain biking (medium difficulty)

Walking (medium difficulty)

General information

Cascade Hut trail is one to try in every season. In summer, bring your hiking boots or mountain bike: the remote path twists through snowgum woodland and the untouched beauty of Pilot Wilderness Area. In winter the trail turns white with snowfall, offering terrific opportunities for cross-country skiing and snow-shoe touring. Spring is marked by the bloom of beautiful wildflowers, heralding the return of warmer months.

A high point on the trail, Bob’s Ridge, offers a scenic lookout across the Murray River valley into Victoria, so be sure to bring some binoculars. You can even bring a tent if you’re a self-sufficient camper – Cascade Hut is surrounded by twisting eucalypts which offer shady places to picnic or settle down for a night.

The value of this multi-use trail is its versatility, meaning it accommodates a wide range of skill levels. Ride to Bob’s Ridge (10km), or step it up a notch by heading into Pilot Wilderness Area. For something even more challenging, continue overnight past Tin Mine huts to Nine Mile trail and on to Barry Way (where you’ll need to be collected). If you want to stay even longer, pair all this with a visit to the gentle Thredbo Valley track or Dead Horse Gap track.

Summer sees a lot of flies in the area, so be sure to bring insect repellent and light-coloured long sleeves and pants.

Location:  shown on Thredbo and the alpine area map

Nungar Bullock Ride - 19.5km each way (one-way route)

Mountain biking (medium difficulty)

Horse riding (medium difficulty)

General information

Start at Nungar Creek Trail 8km along Tantangara Road from the Snowy Mountains Highway. Witze's Hut is 11.5km along Nungar Creek Trail.

Hain's Hut is 35.6km from Tantangara Road, following Nungar Creek, Bullocks and Hains trails. It is west of Tantangara Dam, on a gentle slope above the Murrumbidgee River. In spring and summer the slopes surrounding the hut are covered in wildflowers.

If you are feeling more energetic consider expanding the ride to include Nangar Creek Trail to Kiandra or Bullocks Trail.

The huts

• Witze's Hut—Built around 1952, it's a good example of a vertical slab hut.
• Hain's Hut—This corrugated iron hut was built in 1947.

Directions: Witze's Hut 11.5km one-way; Hain's Hut 35.6km

Maps

• Tantangara 1:100 000
• Rules Point 1:25 000
• Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000

Gavels Circuit - 21km (loop)

Road cycling (hard)

Horse riding (hard)

General information

Start this difficult ride at Boundary Trail off the Snowy Mountains Highway near the park entrance.

Gavels Hut is 5.7km north of the Snowy Mountains Highway. Head along Boundary Trail then turn left onto Gavels Hut Trail.

Some sections of the ride are two wheeled tracks, with steep climbs and descents.

In the southern part of the ride you will head through snow gum woodland and mountain gum and alpine ash forests. The ride then skirts the grassy Nungar Plains before returning to the Boundary Trail.

The huts

• Gavels Hut—Built 1931, it may have been established close to an earlier hut built nearby in 1922.
• Brayshaws Hut—Estimated to have been built in 1950, it could have been a Snowy Mountains Authority transportable hut moved to the site around that time. It is tiny (only 2m x 3m) made of weatherboard with a timber floor, one small window and a corrugated iron roof.

Directions: Snowy Mountains Highway to Gavels Hut 6km.

Maps

• Tantangara 1:100 000
• Tantangara 1:25 000
• Denison 1:25 000

Plain Ride - 21km (loop)

Horse riding (medium difficulty)

Mountain biking (medium difficulty)

General information

This easy to moderate ride starts at the Tantangara Road and Schofields Trail intersection. Schofield's Hut is 6km along Schofields Trail crossing Nungar Creek. Circuit's Hut is 10.5km from Tantangara Road following Schofield's then Circuits trails.

For a longer ride continue along Circuits Trail to the intersection of Pedens Trail. From here you can start the moderately difficult Murrumbidgee Ride or organise a car shuttle.

The huts

• Schofield's Hut—The hut is a simple construction with a timber frame and floor and galvanised iron walls and roof.
• Circuits Hut—Built in 1938, this weatherboard hut has four rooms and an iron roof. It sits among mature black sallees overlooking Gulf Plain.

Directions: Schofield’s Trail to individual huts:

• Schofield’s Hut 6km one-way
• Circuits Hut 10.5km one-way
  

Maps

• Tantangara 1:100 000 and
• Tantangara 1:25 000

Cycling: events and activities