Bridle Trail Loop
Download & Print Map and Notes
1 hr 15 mins
2.9 km Circuit
149 m
Moderate track
Covered in snow part of the year
This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, this walk is likely to be covered in snow/ice, visitors should be carrying and be prepared to use snowshoes or cross country skis. When there is a chance of significant snow on the ground, visitors will need particularly strong navigation and snowcraft skills – tracks and signage may not be visible. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.
(0km) Thredboland intersection → Friday Flats
60 m
1 mins
2m
0m
Easy track
From the intersection (on Friday Drive about 80m south of the roundabout), this walk follows the driveway up the hill, past ‘Thredboland’ to come to a large open area, Friday Flat. At the end of the sealed section of driveway is an intersection signposted with a ‘Bridle Trail Loop’ and a ‘Merritts Traverse’ sign[1].
Friday Flat
Friday Flat is an open flat area at the Bottom of the Easy-Does-it and Gunbarrel chairlifts. Friday Flat is a hub for beginner and hungry skiers in winter. In summer, all the facilities are closed, but the web cam seems to run most of the time.
(0.06km) Friday Flats → Bottom of Easy Does it
100 m
2 mins
9m
0m
Easy track
(0.16km) Bottom of Easy Does it → Bridge intersection
270 m
6 mins
13m
-9m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the bottom of the ‘Easy Does It’ chairlift[6], this walk heads up the grassy hill then follows the ‘Bridle Trail Loop’ sign[7] along the track and past the small building[8]. The walk continues on the grassy track along the side of the hill, following a couple of arrow posts[9] over a metal grate[10] then down to an intersection[11] just before a flat bridge[12].
(0.44km) Bridge intersection → Bridle Loop intersection
400 m
9 mins
18m
-31m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the flat bridge[13] and follows the track that leads over the small rise[14], whilst keeping the main valley to your left. The track leads along the edge of the snow gums and over a few small rises, coming to a large area open area just below the tree line and a ‘Y’ intersection[15] marked with a ‘Bridle Trail Loop’ sign[16], just before two metal grates.
(0.84km) Bridle Loop intersection → Bridle Loop Flat
590 m
12 mins
17m
-29m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bridle Loop Trail’ sign[17] east along the lower of the two tracks[18] (keeping the valley to your right, and the other track to your left). The track soon crosses over a metal grate[19] and then comes close to the the upper track again[20] – here the walk stays on the lower track and soon passes another ‘Bridle Loop Trail’ sign[21] at a solitary snow gum[22]. The track continues along the hillside, enjoying the clear views into the Thredbo River valley[23] (to your right). The track soon enters a snow gum forest[24] and continues to gently wind along the side of the hill, passing a few views to a pondage on Thredbo River[25] (to your right). Passing a few arrow posts[26], the track soon bends left and heads over a hill to a small clearing with some broad-based snow gums[27]. After rain, you may hear the sound of a small cascade nearby – there are also some views back across the valley to the Alpine Way[28].
Bridle Loop Flat
About halfway around the Bridle Trail Loop, at the eastern extreme of the walk, is a small flat clearing. Surrounded by snow gums there is a view across the valley over the Thredbo River to the Alpine Way. In this sheltered spot, you will find a few tree endowed with Old Mans Beard[29] (Usnea australis), a lichen. Like other lichens, this is actually a fungus and an alga living symbiotically. After rain, you can hear a small waterfall not too far away.
(1.42km) Bridle Loop Flat → Thredboland intersection
1.5 km
35 mins
90m
-80m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the small clearing[31], this walk follows the clear track gently uphill into the forest of taller trees. The trail sweeps left[32], passing an arrow post, and then climbs up through two switchback[33] turns (first right then left). Here, the track continues to climb for a little longer over a rocky section[34]. The track soon flattens out (ignoring the regenerating track to your right[35]) then leads past another arrow post[36] through the snow gum forest[37]. Before long, the trail leaves the forest and the view of the Thredbo Valley opens up[38] (to your left). The track leads across the open hillside (keeping the lower track not far to your left)[39] and crosses a metal grate[40] before coming to a four-way intersection marked by a ‘Bridle Trail Loop’ sign[41] pointing back along the track.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bridle Trail Loop’ track gently uphill (away from the other two tracks) keeping the main valley to your left[42][43]. The track leads up into the snow gums[44] and along the side of the hill, following a few arrow posts that soon lead down and across the flat bridge[45] and to a ‘Y’ intersection[46].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper track[47] heading east, away from the bridge, keeping the lower track and valley to your left. The track soon leads over a metal grate[48] and follows a couple of arrow post along the side of the hill. Soon after passing a small building[49], the track leads downhill past the ‘Bridle Trail Loop’ sign[50] and down to the bottom of the ‘Easy Does It’ chairlift[51].
Turn right: From the bottom of the ‘Easy Does It’ chairlift[52], this walk heads in front of the buildings across the large clearing of Friday Flats[53]. Just near the bottom on the ‘Gunbarrel Express’ chairlift[54], this walk comes to an intersection with a trail marked with a couple of signs including a ‘Bridle Trail Loop’ sign[55] pointing back across Friday Flats.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the driveway down the hill[56], past ‘Thredboland’[57] to come to a ‘T’ intersection[58] with Friday Drive (about 80m south of the roundabout).
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bridle Trail Loop’ track gently uphill (away from the other two tracks) keeping the main valley to your left[42][43]. The track leads up into the snow gums[44] and along the side of the hill, following a few arrow posts that soon lead down and across the flat bridge[45] and to a ‘Y’ intersection[46].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper track[47] heading east, away from the bridge, keeping the lower track and valley to your left. The track soon leads over a metal grate[48] and follows a couple of arrow post along the side of the hill. Soon after passing a small building[49], the track leads downhill past the ‘Bridle Trail Loop’ sign[50] and down to the bottom of the ‘Easy Does It’ chairlift[51].
Turn right: From the bottom of the ‘Easy Does It’ chairlift[52], this walk heads in front of the buildings across the large clearing of Friday Flats[53]. Just near the bottom on the ‘Gunbarrel Express’ chairlift[54], this walk comes to an intersection with a trail marked with a couple of signs including a ‘Bridle Trail Loop’ sign[55] pointing back across Friday Flats.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the driveway down the hill[56], past ‘Thredboland’[57] to come to a ‘T’ intersection[58] with Friday Drive (about 80m south of the roundabout).
Maps for the Bridle Trail Loop walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Perisher Valley | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85252S PERISHER VALLEY | NSW-85252S |
| Chimneys Ridge | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85241N CHIMNEYS RIDGE | NSW-85241N |
| Kosciuszko | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8525 KOSCIUSZKO | 8525 |
| Jacobs River | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8524 JACOBS RIVER | 8524 |
Cross sectional view of the Bridle Trail Loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bridle Trail Loop
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 2.9 km | ||
| Time | 1 hr 15 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 3/6 Moderate track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
2.1km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 670m has short steep hills. The remaining (200m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
2.3km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 550m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (120m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 1.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.1km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 2.6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 330m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 2.6km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 330m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 1.8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.1km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Bridle Trail Loop walk starts and ends at the Thredboland intersection (gps: -36.49952, 148.31137)Your main transport option to Thredboland intersection is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/btl
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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