The Snowies Alpine Walk is one of the best ways to experience the Australian alpine landscape, linking Guthega, Charlotte Pass, Perisher Valley and Bullocks Flat across 56km of spectacular Kosciuszko National Park.

But while planning the walking itself is relatively straightforward, working out how you get to some of the trailheads using your own car or Snowies Alpine Walk transport can be a little more complicated.

Unlike a traditional loop walk, the four-day Snowies Alpine Walk starts and finishes in different locations. There is also no public transport along the walking route, so you’ll need to organise a car shuffle (between your group with multiple cars), private transfers or a guided walking package before you arrive.

If you’re staying at Knockshannoch in Charlotte Pass, we can make this part considerably easier. Our Hike & Stay package is specifically designed around the Snowies Alpine Walk, with our team coordinating your accommodation and transport so you can concentrate on the walking.

Here’s what you need to know.

How does the Snowies Alpine Walk work?

The Snowies Alpine Walk is a 56km, four-day Grade 4 walk through Kosciuszko National Park. The official self-guided itinerary connects four key sections:

• Day 1: Guthega to Charlotte Pass – approximately 9km
• Day 2: Main Range and Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk – approximately 22km
• Day 3: Charlotte Pass to Perisher Valley – approximately 12.7km
• Day 4: Perisher Valley to Bullocks Flat – approximately 12km

The route takes you through some of the Snowy Mountains’ most spectacular alpine scenery, including snow gum forests, wildflower meadows, the Snowy River and the Main Range. It also includes the opportunity to summit Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain.

The walk is self-guided, with experienced bushwalking skills recommended. It is well signposted, but alpine conditions can change quickly and some sections can be challenging. NPWS recommends checking alerts and weather conditions before setting out.

Snowies Alpine Walk Accommodation Options

Because each day starts and finishes in a different location, where to stay is one of the most important things to organise before your trip.

For the vast majority of Snowies Alpine walkers, they choose to stay in lodges or accommodation in Charlotte Pass, Perisher, Thredbo or even Lake Crackenback and down into Jindabyne town.

Each of those locations have their own pros and cons but one thing we find people forget to account for is where the Snowies Alpine Trails begin and end (and therefore how to easily and most cost-effectively get between them).

For example, Thredbo pretty well takes top spot as the Snowy Mountains Summer Playground. But, if you look at Thredbo’s position on a map compared to the four legs of the Snowies Alpine Walk – it’s quite far out of the way. So yes, Thredbo has the most summer accommodation options but it’s also an hour away from Charlotte Pass which is where four out of the five Snowies Apline trails start or end.

So the question becomes, if you’ve only got one car or you don’t feel like spending your hiking holiday in the car for hours, what do you do?

Accommodation closer to the Snowies Apline Walk

Our recommendation? Start by looking at accommodation in Charlotte Pass or Perisher. These two alpine villages are within 15 minutes of each other and are much closer to the Snowies Alpine trailheads. For example, the walk is structured as:

• Day 1: Guthega to Charlotte Pass
• Day 2: Main Range and Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk – starts and ends at the top of Charlotte Pass
• Day 3: Charlotte Pass to Perisher Valley
• Day 4: Perisher Valley to Bullocks Flat

So it makes a lot more sense to choose either of these village as your base when completing the entire Snowies Alpine Walk.

Knockshannoch Lodge even takes into account the Day 3 end in Perisher so if you choose to book accommodation elsewhere for that night (to save on transporting back to Charlotte Pass), we will keep you gear and room locked up, ready for you to return after completely the walk the next day.

If you choose to stay in Charlotte Pass accommodation or in Perisher, and only have one vehicle, you’ll still need to organise transport on certain days. Here’s the rundown:

Snowies Alpine Walk Transport Options

1. Snow Connect

For guests staying at Knockshannoch, our usual transport partner is Snow Connect, a locally operated shuttle service based in Jindabyne.

Snow Connect provides private and shared transfers for hikers throughout the Snowy Mountains, including the major Snowies Alpine Walk trailheads.

Snow Connect have shuttles for all group sizes, including large groups or groups with summer adventure gear such as mountain bikes or expert hiking equipment.

One thing to note; most shuttle services in Jindabyne have a four-person minimum for Snowies Alpine transfers. If your group has fewer than four people, an additional amount may be payable to secure the transfer. If another group subsequently books on the same dates and fills the vehicle, the additional cost can be refunded.

For guests staying at Knockshannoch, we can coordinate the transport arrangements with Snow Connect as part of your Hike & Stay booking so you have one less thing to think about.

2. Other local shuttle services

Snow Connect isn’t your only option.

There are several local operators offering private hiking transfers throughout the Snowy Mountains, including services that specifically cater for Snowies Alpine Walk hikers.

Snowy Mountains Shuttles offers private transfers from Jindabyne throughout Kosciuszko National Park, including Snowies Alpine Walk transfers, with vehicles suitable for individuals and groups.

Snowlink also provides hiking transfers for the Snowies Alpine Walk and can assist with luggage transfers and more complicated itineraries.

If you are staying at Knockshannoch and don’t have a particular transport provider in mind, we can help coordinate your requirements and obtain transport options for your dates.

3. Do the walk using your own cars

If you are travelling with two vehicles, a car shuffle can be another option.

It’s a simply as hoping in the cars, driving to the end of the designated day’s trail, leaving one then drive around to the start of the day. Of course, it’s a little more time consuming than hoping on your private transfer but a drive around the stunning Snowy Mountains is never a hardship.

Our only advice? You’ll need to carefully plan where each vehicle is left and how you’ll get between trailheads.

There is parking at Guthega, Charlotte Pass, Perisher Valley and Bullocks Flat, although parking availability varies and Charlotte Pass has very limited parking.

If you’re planning to leave vehicles overnight, check the current NPWS parking and access information before your trip.

A clever way to reduce your Snowies Alpine Walk transport costs

If you’re a group under four people and the transport bookings look like you may be paying the additional fees, there are a few clear ways you can save and enjoy your time more! Especially if you’re staying at a Charlotte Pass summer lodge…

Drive yourselves to Perisher for Day 4

If you have a single car, Perisher is only around 10–15 minutes from Charlotte Pass.

Rather than arranging a morning transfer from the lodge to Perisher for Day 4, you can drive yourselves and leave your vehicle at Perisher.

Your afternoon transfer from Bullocks Flat can then return you to your car at Perisher rather than all the way back to Charlotte Pass.

This completely removes one transport leg and reduces the transfer cost of another. Plus, it gives you a little more flexibility on the morning of Day 4.

For our Snow Connect customers, this saves $55 per person.

Just remember to check current parking, road access and park entry requirements before travelling.

Walk Day 3 backwards – not a cost savers, but a time saver

The official itinerary takes you from Charlotte Pass to Perisher Valley on Day 3.

However, if you have transport arranged, you can also complete this section in reverse.

Instead of being collected from Perisher at a set time in the afternoon, you can be dropped at Perisher in the morning and walk back to Charlotte Pass.

This can be a particularly appealing option because Day 3 is one of the longer walking days. Walking back towards Charlotte Pass means you’re not watching the clock for an afternoon shuttle and can take your time enjoying the alpine scenery. It is one of the most beautiful parts of Australia.

Your transport requirements will depend on your overall itinerary, so discuss this option when organising your transfers.

Can you do the Snowies Alpine Walk without a guide?

Yes.

The Snowies Alpine Walk is designed to be completed as a self-guided experience, and NPWS provides information and maps to help walkers plan the route.

However, a guided experience can be a good option if you would prefer not to manage the navigation, logistics and transport yourself.

There are a number of operators offering guided Snowies Alpine Walk experiences, including multi-day guided trips with accommodation, meals and transfers included. NPWS currently lists guided experiences from operators including Sapphire Coast Guiding Co. and other walking tour providers.

A guided walk can be particularly useful if you’re unfamiliar with alpine conditions or simply want someone else to take care of the logistics.

If you’re an experienced bushwalker and prefer to walk independently, a self-guided trip with pre-arranged transport is another option.

When is the Snowies Alpine Walk open?

The Snowies Alpine Walk is a seasonal walk.

NPWS currently lists the self-guided experience as available from November to April.

As a general guide, plan around the walk being closed from 30 April to 1 November, with the walking season reopening in November.

But there’s an important catch: November isn’t necessarily completely straightforward.

November Closures that affect the Snowies Alpine Walk: Kosciuszko National Park

Parts of Kosciuszko National Park can be temporarily closed for park management activities, including aerial pest control operations. These closures can affect individual sections of the Snowies Alpine Walk.

Areas will be closed each weekday from 5:45 am to 8:15 pm, from Monday 9 November to Friday 27 November 2026. Walks will be open as normal on weekends. The 2026 alert does show impacts on the Snowies Alpine Walk:

• Snowies Alpine Walk: Guthega to Charlotte Pass walk
• Snowies Alpine Walk: Charlotte Pass Village to Perisher Valley walk
• Snowies Alpine Walk: Perisher Valley to Bullocks Flat walk

It will not impact the Main Range or Summit Walks. 

This is why it’s important not to rely solely on the fact that the walk is technically “open for the season”.

Always check NPWS alerts before you go

Closures, weather events and park management activities can change access to individual sections of the walk.

Check the latest Kosciuszko National Park alerts before setting off.

It’s also worth checking the alerts again shortly before each walking day, particularly if you’re travelling in spring when conditions and management closures can change.

What about road access to Charlotte Pass?

Road access is another important consideration when planning your trip.

In winter, Kosciuszko Road closes between Perisher and Charlotte Pass, and winter access arrangements apply. This isn’t generally relevant during the Snowies Alpine Walk season, but it is one reason you shouldn’t assume that summer and winter access to the alpine villages works in the same way.

Outside winter, Charlotte Pass, Perisher, Guthega and Bullocks Flat are all accessible by road, although some sections of road include unsealed surfaces and alpine conditions can change quickly.

Always check current NPWS and road conditions before travelling.

Staying at Charlotte Pass for the Snowies Alpine Walk

One of the biggest advantages of staying in Charlotte Pass is that you don’t need to pack up and move accommodation every night.

Charlotte Pass sits right in the middle of the Snowies Alpine Walk, making it a particularly convenient base for a four-day itinerary.

At Knockshannoch, you can stay in the same room throughout your trip, leave your gear at the lodge and head out each morning with just what you need for the day’s walk.

Day 1 starts at Guthega, Day 2 starts and finishes in Charlotte Pass, and Days 3 and 4 take you towards Perisher and Bullocks Flat.

Instead of spending your evenings worrying about where you’re sleeping next, you can come back to the lodge, have a shower, relax and get ready for the next day.

Our Snowies Alpine Walk Hike & Stay package

We created our Hike & Stay package specifically for walkers doing the Snowies Alpine Walk.

The idea is simple: you walk, we’ll help take care of the logistics.

Stay at Knockshannoch in Charlotte Pass for your trip, with your room kept for you while you’re out exploring. We can coordinate the transport you need between the lodge and the trailheads, including transfers to Guthega, Perisher and Bullocks Flat.

Why do it this way?

Because after walking 10–20km through the alpine country, the last thing you necessarily want to think about is:

Where is the car?

What time is the shuttle?

Where are we staying tonight?

How are we getting to tomorrow’s trailhead?

With Knockshannoch as your base, you can leave the logistics to us as much as possible.

Come to Charlotte Pass. Walk the Snowies Alpine Walk. Come home to a warm, comfortable lodge.

That’s the idea behind our Hike & Stay package.

Planning your Snowies Alpine Walk?

The Snowies Alpine Walk is an incredible way to experience Kosciuszko National Park, but the transport logistics are worth sorting out before you arrive.

Whether you choose to organise your own car shuffle, book a local shuttle, join a guided Snowies Alpine Walk experience or let Knockshannoch coordinate the transfers for you, a little planning makes the four-day walk considerably more enjoyable.

And if you’d rather spend your time thinking about walking, views and where to stop for lunch, rather than shuttle timetables, our Hike & Stay package is designed with exactly that in mind. Get in touch to check our availability. 

Stay in Charlotte Pass, let us coordinate your transport, and enjoy the Snowies Alpine Walk at your own pace.