Munyang River Circuit
Download & Print Map and Notes
5 hrs 30 mins
14.1 km Circuit
649 m
Hard 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) Munyang car park → Behind Power station
190 m
5 mins
14m
-5m
Easy track
From the Munyang (Guthega Power Station) car park[1], this walk heads along the short driveway[2] and across the large bridge[3] over the Snowy River, heading towards the power station[4]. At the fence (on the other side of the bridge), this walk turns left[5] to head around to the other side of the power station. Just past the concrete building[6], this walk passes the two large feeder pipes[7] and continues, soon finding an intersection with two management trails[8] marked with a ‘Schlink Trail’ sign[9].
Guthega Power Station (Munyang)
This was the first power station of the Snow Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme, completed in 1955. It is also known as Munyang, as the station sits just west of the confluence of the Munyang and Snowy Rivers. The station boasts two 30MW turbine and generator[11] combinations, providing peak power to the eastern states. The turbines are powered from the water in two large pipes[12] that form part of the Guthega Pressure Tunnel, fed by Guthega Dam. The dam is about 260m higher than the power station. More info.
(0.19km) Behind Power station → Pipe line intersection
1.3 km
35 mins
156m
-7m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Schlink Trail’ sign[13] uphill along the sealed management trail[14]. This walk soon heads around a locked gate[15] where the trail becomes dirt[16]. The trail leads uphill quite steeply[17] and, after about 500m, leads under some power lines[18], around a sharp left bend[19] and then back under the same power lines again. The trail continues up, passing through two sharper bends[20] and under a different power line twice before flattening out at a right-hand bend[21] beside the large, white pipelines[22] (the Guthega Pressure Tunnel).
(1.46km) Pipe line intersection → int of Gate House trail and Munyang-geehi Rd
1 km
23 mins
78m
0m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently uphill along the management trail, initially keeping the pipeline to your left[23]. The trail soon bends right, away from the pipeline, and heads through the trees. The walk passes under under a set of power lines[24] and continues along the clear management trail, past a signposted fainter trail[25]. About 500m after the power line, the trail bends left, ignoring another faint trail[26] (on your left) just beyond a clearing. Here the walk continues up through the snow gums[27] and soon after a left bend, comes to a clear three-way intersection, marked with a ‘Surge Tank’ and ‘Gate House’ signs[28] (pointing to the left).
(2.49km) Int of Gate House trail and Munyang-geehi Rd → Gate House
440 m
9 mins
9m
-24m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Surge Tank’ and ‘Gate House’ signs[29] south along the grassy management trail, over a small rise[30]. The trail leads though a clearing[31] and after about 170m, this walk takes the left branch at an intersection[32]. The trail soon starts to lead downhill[33], circling around behind the gate house building[34] and soon coming to the front of the building[35] where the large white pipes dominate the landscape[36]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
Gate House
The gate house is a large concrete building, built into the side of the hill about 220m above Guthega Power Station. This building joins the underground Guthega pressure tunnel with the long white pipe that feed the power station. The gate house regulates the flow of water from the dam to the power station. There is some limited shelter and a great view along the pipe down to Munyang[37].
(2.49km) Int of Gate House trail and Munyang-geehi Rd → Int of Horse Camp Hut Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd
1.3 km
27 mins
40m
-63m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads west, downhill along the management trail, initially keeping the ‘Gate House’ and ‘Surge Tank’ trail to your left[38]. The trail bends right and crosses a small (culverted) creek[39] then winds over a small rise[40]. From the top of this rise, the trail leads downhill out of the snow gums[41] (passing a faint signposted trail, on your right[42]) to cross a fair sized creek[43] using a concrete ford[44]. Here the trail begins to climb again for about 500m (passing another faint signposted trail, on your right[45]), and just after passing through a grove of snow gums[46], the walk comes to the top of the rise and a three-way intersection marked with a ‘Horse Camp Hut’ sign[47] (pointing left).
(3.83km) Int of Horse Camp Hut Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd → Horse Camp Hut
510 m
10 mins
25m
-1m
Hard track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads west following the ‘Horse Camp Hut – 400 meters’ sign[48] downhill along the management trail, directly away from the main trail and power lines[49]. The trail soon starts to head uphill through the trees and about 170m after a short but steeper climb[50], this trail leads to a small clearing and Horse Camp Hut[51], on your left. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.
Horse Camp Hut
Horse Camp Hut is found beside a trail linking the old Munyang-Geehi Rd with an aqueduct trail on the western side of the valley. Still in good condition, this hut was built for surveyors in the 1950s as part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme effort. The hut has a distinctive red door[53] and two rooms. The smaller room contains bunk beds and a stove[54] and the larger room has a fire place, table and sitting area[55]. The hut has a timber floor[56] and the outer walls and roof are made of corrugated iron[57]. There is a creek nearby for water[58] and a pit toilet[59] is available. The grassy flat area around the hut makes for great camping[60].
(3.83km) Int of Horse Camp Hut Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd → Int of Aquaduct Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd
3.2 km
1 hr 7 mins
157m
-76m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north, downhill along the main management trail, keeping the valley and power lines to your right[61]. The trail almost immediately passes a ’97G-3′ sign[62] (pointing toward the power lines) and continues, crossing under the power lines twice[63] before crossing Munyang River on a concrete bridge[64] almost 1km after the ‘Horse Camp Hut’ sign. From here, the trail leads up the other side of the valley, crossing under the power lines again[65] before gently climbing up along the side of the valley. The trail crosses three small (culverted) creeks[66] and passes through a long run of dead snow gums[67]. Just past the third creek, the trail leaves the dead snow gums and climbs past the signposted ‘GGA-MSS 21 24’ trail[68] (on your left) and, about 400m later, comes to a signposted three-way intersection[69]. This intersection is signposted as ‘Disappointment Spur Trail’[70] (aka Aquaduct Trail) and ‘Schlinks Trail’[71] (aka Munyang-geehi Rd).
(6.98km) Int of Aquaduct Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd → White’s River Hut
1.3 km
31 mins
107m
-15m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Schlinks Trail’ sign[72] downhill along the management trail and soon crosses a (culverted) creek[73]. The trail passes an overgrown signposted trail[74] (on your left) and starts to climb the side of the hill, soon passing under a set of power lines[75] as the valley views open up[76]. The trail continues uphill for about 400m, passing a couple of rock falls[77] and also a clear management trail[78] (on your left). From here, the trail continues for another 400m, then flattens out and come to an unsignposted three-way intersection[79], just before a right-hand bend (and a ‘GGA-MSS 33’ sign[80]). Here you can see White’s River Hut and a weather station[81].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads west, downhill along the grassy management trail towards the creek, and turns right almost immediately[82]. The clear trail soon leads through a rocky creek crossing[83] then over a small rise[84] tending left[85] to cross another creek[86]. These creeks may become impassable after rain or snow melt. The trail then leads up to a clearing and finds White’s River Hut[87]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads west, downhill along the grassy management trail towards the creek, and turns right almost immediately[82]. The clear trail soon leads through a rocky creek crossing[83] then over a small rise[84] tending left[85] to cross another creek[86]. These creeks may become impassable after rain or snow melt. The trail then leads up to a clearing and finds White’s River Hut[87]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.
White’s River Hut
At this site, there are a few buildings – the main hut is believed to have been built in by Bill Napthali and Fred Clarke in 1935 to house them as they grazed cattle. It is also possible that the hut was built by Edward Haslingdon and his sons in 1933. The Kosciusko Alpine Club has a long history with the hut and has made many changes over the years – they are now the primary caretakers. This hut has two main rooms[91][92] plus an entry woodpile annex[93]. The second hut is behind the main hut – the SMA hut[94] (aka the Kelvinator). This second hut is not as well maintained[95] as the main one. There is also a pit toilet[96] beside the hut. A large, flat, grassy area[97] makes a great place to camp and the nearby creek is a source of water[98]. NOTE: On 27th July 2010 an accidental fire has done significant damage to this hut, it is now fenced off and accessing the hut is unsafe. A plan is likley to be put into place to restore the hut.
(6.98km) Int of Aquaduct Trail and Munyang-geehi Rd → Disappointment Spur Hut
3 km
1 hr 2 mins
123m
-94m
Hard track
Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Disappointment Spur Trail’ sign[100] (and AAWT arrows[101]) uphill along the upper trail, keeping the valley (and lower trail) to your right[102]. The grassy trail climbs for a short while then flattens out[103], following the covered aqueduct (on your left). There are many numbered posts[104] and water collection points[105] along the way. After about 400m, the trail bends left and heads downhill to cross a creek using a concrete ford[106]. Here the trail climbs up through a run of dead snow gums[107]. The trail rises and falls, crossing a few small creeks[108] and crossing another creek and concrete ford[109], a little over 1km after the last ford. The trail climbs again, still through the dead gums[110], crossing a couple more creeks[111] before coming to a small clearing and hut[112] (about 130m after the creek marked with an orange ‘S29045’ post[113]).
Disappointment Spur Hut
Disappointment Spur Hut was built in the 1950’s out of two standard accommodation modules, to support workers on the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The hut is in a small clearing[115] on the side of Disappointment Spur Trail (aka Aqueduct track). There is a supply of water from the nearby aqueduct[116] and a flat area for camping (no toilet). The hut is made from weatherboard with a flat tin roof, has a timber floor and three windows. There is a bunk bed[117] and a table[118] inside, and a fire circle outside[119].
(9.98km) Disappointment Spur Hut → Munyang car park
4.2 km
1 hr 32 mins
81m
-405m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the hut, this walk follows the management trail north-east[120] (initially keeping hut and valley to your right). The trail immediately bends left and follows beside the covered aqueduct around the side of the valley[121]. The trail leads over a few small creeks[122] and past water catchment devices[123] for the aqueduct. The trail leads up and down through a few small valleys and through the dead snow gum trees[124] but about 1.5km from the hut, the trail begins to head consistently downhill[125]. Further down the hill, the trail bends right[126] and passes beside a tall rock cutting[127], where there are great views up along the Munyang River[128] (to your right). The cutting continues for about 130m, bending left partway along. The walk then continues down the hill for another 600m where it passes around a locked gate[129] to find a large clearing[130] under the power lines[131] and a ‘Disappointment Spur Trail’ sign[132]. The walk continues straight across the timber bridge[133] WARNING: Bridge has been destroyed and not replaced. No passable, bending left to follow a fence[134] to the switching yard[135] and sealed section of road[136]. The walk continues along the sealed road beside the switching yard and soon comes to a clear intersection[137] behind the power station marked with a ‘Schlink Trail’ sign[138] (pointing up another trail).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads to the other side of the power station, following the fence and keeping it to your left[139] (heading in the opposite direction to the ‘Schlink Trail’ sign). The path soon leads past two large feeder pipes[140] and goes behind a concrete building[141]. The walk then comes to the front of the power station[142] and crosses the wide bridge[143] over the Snowy River. Here the walk comes to the Munyang car park[144], on your left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads to the other side of the power station, following the fence and keeping it to your left[139] (heading in the opposite direction to the ‘Schlink Trail’ sign). The path soon leads past two large feeder pipes[140] and goes behind a concrete building[141]. The walk then comes to the front of the power station[142] and crosses the wide bridge[143] over the Snowy River. Here the walk comes to the Munyang car park[144], on your left.
Maps for the Munyang River Circuit 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.
| Geehi Dam | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85252N GEEHI DAM | NSW-85252N |
| 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 Munyang River Circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Munyang River Circuit
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 | 14.1 km | ||
| Time | 5 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6) | ||
| Weather | Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6) | ||
| 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
12km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.3km is very steep. The remaining (390m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 14km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 14km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 390m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
9km of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience and another 5km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (390m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 14km of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 390m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 14km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 390m 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 Munyang River Circuit walk starts and ends at the Munyang car park (gps: -36.350976, 148.41342)Your main transport option to Munyang car park is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/mrc
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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