The best running trails in the Snowy Mountains

Mount Kosciuszko Summit Lookout marks the highest point in Australia at 2,228 metres, with wide, open views across the Snowy Mountains. The final stretch from Rawson Pass follows a gradual, exposed path across alpine terrain, where weather can shift quickly. From the top, you’re surrounded by rolling peaks, high plains, and distant ridgelines in every direction. There’s little shelter here, so expect wind even on clear days and allow time to take in the scale of the landscape before heading back down.

Charlotte Pass is a ski resort and small village. Here is the Kosciuszko National Park, where the Kosciuszko Road crosses Kangaroo Ridge. Charlotte Pass is the jumping-off point for Mount Kosciuszko and a great spot to take in and learn about the surrounding range.

The Seaman's Hut was first built in 1929 in memory of skier Laurie Seaman, who passed in a blizzard one year before. The stone hut was built as an emergency shelter for skiers and hikers caught in bad weather on the mountain. Today, the hut is open year-round as a safe haven and historical point of interest while exploring Australia's highest alpine terrain. There is also a modern pit toilet.

Rawson Pass sits at about 2,100 meters above sea level. Its the high saddle where the Main Range Track encounters the Mount Kosciuszko summit path. It's a junction and turning point, with trails leading either to the summit or back toward Charlotte Pass. The exposed alpine gives wide views across the plateau, making it a natural turning point on the circuit. Environmentally designed composting toilets are located here, but there's no water or shelter, so walkers need to come prepared.

Mount Feathertop, at 1,922 metres, is Victoria’s second‑highest peak and one of its most impressive, with steep, angular slopes unlike the rounded domes of nearby summits with sweeping 360-degree views across surrounding ranges, especially in clear weather. It forms part of the Victorian Alps in the Alpine National Park and is often snow‑covered from June to September. The mountain is joined to Mount Hotham by the Razorback ridge, making it a standout in the High Country.

This junction marks the turnoff from the Razorback Track to the main camping and shelter area below Mount Feathertop. The nearby Federation Hut provides a modern emergency day use and overnight refuge, and is a popular base for summit attempts, with tent sites scattered across the surrounding alpine flats (no fee).

The Razorback Track is one of Victoria’s most iconic alpine walks, traversing a narrow, high ridge between Mount Hotham and Mount Feathertop through Alpine National Park. It follows a wide, undulating ridgeline with expansive views across the Victorian Alps and sections of snow gum woodland and alpine heath. The track is generally well-defined but exposed to the weather, making conditions highly changeable; walkers must be fit and prepared for rapidly varying conditions, with winter conditions requiring alpine experience.

If you're in the area, a hike up Australia's highest mountain is almost a must. Of course, you can make it easy for yourself and drive up as far as possible. However, it is best to take the 18.3-kilometre round trip from Perisher Village. The route is generally classed as difficult and can usually be completed in around 5 hours. As the trail is ideal for hiking, you are rarely alone when the weather is fine and will also meet other adventurers during your trip. The situation is different when the weather is nasty - and this can change very quickly at this altitude.