Day hike to the Mt Kosciuszko Summit from Eagles Nest or all of the way from Thredbo
The summit of Mount Kosciuszko is the highest point in Australia at 2,228 metres above sea level, although it’s a pretty easy hike, depending which trail you take.
By far the most popular and easiest way to hike up to the Mount Kosciuszko Summit is by taking the chair lift from Thredbo to Eagles Nest, then walking a further 6.5 kms on a formed track to reach the peak. In the case that the chair lift isn’t operating or you don’t want to fork out for the expensive ride, or maybe you’d just like to make the hike that bit more difficult and lengthy, you can hike from Thredbo to Eagles Nest on the Merritt’s Nature Trail.
Coming from Jindabyne?
Consider hiking from Charlotte Pass to Mount Kosciuszko Summit
If you’re on the other side of the mountain, out the Jindabyne way, you can walk from Charlotte Pass on an incredible trail where you’ll have long views out past the mountains almost the entire way!
From Eagles Nest to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, it’s a pretty easy hike. Most of the track is along metal structure, so you won’t have to worry about an uneven track or getting your feet wet for this part.
The entire track takes you along rocky, desolate terrain with the occasional view that looks out over the distance mountain ranges as far as the eye can see. It’s a stunning, relaxing walk that requires little effort, other than the occasional bit of elevation and somewhat mildly steep climb for the last part, when you make your way up to the Kosciuszko summit, but it’s really not that difficult for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
About 1.5 kms into the walk from Eagles Nest, you’ll reach the Mount Kosciuszko Lookout where you get your first glimpse of the peak, although the summit isn’t too much higher than the lookout and as it’s quite flat with a mild curve, it doesn’t seem that impressive either. The beauty of this walk isn’t the view of Mount Kosciuszko, but the view from the Mount Kosciuszko Summit and surrounding landscapes on the way up.
Walking from Eagles Nest to Mount Kosciuszko Summit is a family-friendly hike, where as the trail from Thredbo to Eagles Nest is much more challenging and requires a decent level of fitness. Read more about hiking from Thredbo to Eagles Nest.
Trail details
Difficulty
It’s really quite an easy hike from Eagles Nest to the Mount Kosciuszko Summit where you’ll mostly be walking on a metal structure, then a well formed path for the final part of the trail. The last section has the most elevation, although the track circles around the mountain to spread out the climb, heavily reducing the difficulty.
Length
From Eagles Nest to the Kosciuszko Summit, it’s 6.5 kms, making it 13 kms return. The Mount Kosciuszko Lookout is about 1.5 kms from Eagles Nest.
If you hike all of the way from Thredbo via the Merritt’s Nature Trail, it adds about 4 kms each way, making the entire walk about 21 kms.
In the case that you’re coming from Jindabyne and hiking from Charlotte Pass to Mount Kosciuszko Summit, it’s 18 kms return, otherwise there’s the Main Range Walk that also starts at Charlotte Pass and is about 22 kms.
Elevation
The Mount Kosciuszko Summit is 2,228 metres above sea level, although the elevation gained from Eagles Nest is only about 370 metres.
From Thredbo to the Mount Kosciuszko Summit, the elevation gained is a little under 1 km.
Mount Kosciuszko Lookout is 2,069 metres above sea level.
Facilities
You’ve got several chances to have a toilet break. In Thredbo, there’s public toilets and again near the Mount Kosciuszko Summit, where the different summit trails intersect (both the walk from Eagles Nest and Main Range Trail).
There are also toilets at Eagles Nest Restaurant, although they can’t be relied on as the place isn’t always open and it’s a private business.
Closest place to buy food & drinks
Thredbo is your best option for buying food and drinks, although most businesses often close pretty early, which isn’t ideal if you hike all of the way from Thredbo to the Mount Kosciuszko Summit and back in the one day.
At the top of the chair lift is Eagles Nest Restaurant.
If you’re hiking via or from Charlotte Pass, Jindabyne is your best choice for food, drinks and other supplies.
Dog Friendly
Dogs aren’t allowed on Mount Kosciuszko.
