PLAN: Kosciuszko - Round Mountain to Kosciuszko

Trip Summary

A challenging trip from the North of Kosciuszko National Park, to the summit of Australias tallest mountain. This trek is mostly track walking, but with some amazing views across the Kosciuszko main range and rolling grounds. Dont be mistaken though, this trek is a challenge, so be prepared.

GETTING THERE - WOLLONGONG TO ROUND MOUNTAIN (450KM, 6HOURS)

Departing from Wollongong or Sydney, head for Cooma via Canberra. From Cooma follow the Snowy Mountains Hwy to Kiandra and then to Cabramurra. From here, find the Tooma Road for approximately 18kms to Round Mountain car park on Tooma Road.

LEG-01 - 18kms

First full day of hiking is pretty simple track work. We leave Round Mountain area heading south along Round Mountain fire trail. The first point of interest will be Dershkos Hut which is a good spot to stop for a late lunch [GR 55H 621700 5999399], with views of the great Mount Jagungal.

After lunch, continue along Grey Mare fire trail towards Grey Mare hut. If you have time, you can continue on to the hut, or find somewhere to stop after Strumbo Hill. There should be plenty of creek access along here, and fire wood!

LEG-02 - 16kms

Another big day today, so rise early. Continue on to Grey Mare hut, which might be a good thing to do before breakfast. Then heading East towards Valentine Hut. If you have time, check out Valentine Falls [GR 55H 622830 5989396] while you are here.

Then continue heading South towards the infamous Schlink Pass. Before we get to the pass, and our turn off from the main trail, we go past the track junction with Munyang road which houses Orange Hut. Not sure what state it is in, but may be worth a few minutes detour to check it out.

Continuing South, we go past Schlink Hut (aka. The Schlink Hilton) and then on to the pass itself [GR 55H 624462 5983127]. At the pass, we turn off the main trail and head towards Dicky Cooper Bogong which is the rocky outcrop you see to the West of this location. We dont need to summit the peak, so finding an easy trail around to the South West would be ideal from here, and locating a good camp for the night.

You may want to grab as much water as you can from the Dicky Cooper Creek before leaving the main trail, it might be hard to come by tonight.

LEG-03 - 13kms

Slightly less distance to cover today since we are now on the Main Range, and walking will be a little more difficult. Always remeber to grab water when you can - on the top of the range it may be difficult to find water until the end of today.

Todays walk will be one of many summits. We continue along the main range and take in the following locations, Consett Stephen Pass, Mount Tate, Man Bluff, Mount Anderson, Mount Anton and Mount Twynam.

It is around Mount Twynam [GR 55H 617912 5971616] that we will look for a camp site. We are within spitting distance of Mount Kosciuszko now, so take care not to setup camp that might impact any of the glacial run off lakes here.

LEG-04 - 21kms

Today is the big day, we are doing a round trip to Mount Kosciuszko and back. If you want to leave your pack here, it will make for a lighter day of travel, since we are knocking out some kms today!

We start by rounding the top of Blue Lake, and down on to the Main Range walking track - BEWARE - there may be people here!

From here you simply meander along with the man made track to the West as you see the peak of Kosciuszko slowly rise ahead of you.

It will take some time to get to Kosciuszko [GR 55H 613185 5964726], but keep an eye on the clock as you do need to get back before dark.

If you feel energetic, you can continue around the loop track from the summit which will take you via some toilets, and eventually the Charlotte Pass lookout. It is longer, but its a beautiful walk if the weather is good.

Eventually though, we will return to our starting point and then continue back tracking to an area around Man Bluff [GR 55H 620850 5975449] for our camp tonight.

LEG-05 - 16kms

Today we continue back tracking, and get back onto the main fire trail at Schlink Pass. Continue to the North visiting familiar locations as we get back to Valentine Trail, Valentine Hut and eventually find a location for our camp tonight. If you can, try and push on past Valentine Hut to make the subsequent days easier.

LEG-06 - 13kms

Today is another challenge! If you are not up to it - lets face it, we've walked 100kms already, you can bypass the summiting of Jagungal and head back along Round Mountain Trail, or the slightly harder Farm Ridge Trail back to Round Mountain. Or if you are up to it, follow Grey Mare fire trail all the way to the intersection with the Tumut river [GR 55H 623269 5998431], and start the ascent of Mount Jagungal.

A night on the summit of Jagungal will not be easy, but well worth it for the amazing sunset views you will be provided with.

LEG-07 - 17kms

Today is the last day of this trip. Depending on where you spent last night, you may need to descend Mount Jagungal first to Round Mountain Fire Trail, and then continue to the North where you will eventually return to the car park - and hopefully some nice cool beverages!

PHOTOS