Mountain Biking the Thredbo Valley Track is One of the Snowy Mountains’ Best Summer Adventures

The Snowy Mountains aren’t just for winter adventures. The 37km Thredbo Valley Track is enticing mountain bikers to Kosciuszko National Park all summer-long, and Kate’s ridden it enough times, she could draw a map on the back of her hand.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Monero-Ngarigo people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

As a Jindabyne local, the Thredbo Valley Track (TVT) has become a regular weekend ride for me. In summer, our Saturdays start the same: meet for coffee at 8:30am, check the Thredbo Resort lift status, and if the lifts aren’t spinning, we start sorting out the logistical chaos of a car shuttle to ride the TVT.

Whether we bomb down the upper or lower section, it almost always ends with dirt on our faces, laughing about near wipeouts. and buzzing tires. It’s easily one of the best mountain biking trails in the Snowy Mountains. 

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Quick Overview

The Thredbo Valley Track (TVT) is a 37.3km multi-use single track that descends through Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. It’s a multi-directional trail suited to both beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, that can be done in sections or as a full end-to-end ride.

Thredbo Valley Track Quick Facts

Distance: 37.3km one-way
Duration: 1 day
Elevation Gain: ≈400m
Elevation Loss: ≈880m

About the Thredbo Valley Track

The TVT officially starts at Friday Flat in Thredbo Village and finishes at the Thredbo River Picnic Area just outside of Jindabyne. While it’s possible to ride the entire TVT in one day, most people break it up, riding either the upper section from Thredbo to Bullocks Flat (predominately beginner terrain) or the more challenging lower section from Bullocks Flat to the Gaden Trout Hatchery (intermediate ONLY).

As the name suggests, the trail follows the Thredbo River along the valley floor, through gum tree forests and open grassy flats. It’s built and maintained to perfection, with smooth flowy berms, the occasional rock garden and boardwalk, and just enough climbs to make you feel like you’re working for it.

Read more: Beginner Mountain Biking at Thredbo – Can I Really Face My Fears?

History of the Thredbo Valley Track

The TVT lies on the traditional lands of the Monero-Ngarigo people, who have lived in and cared for this alpine region for thousands of years.

Europeans arrived to the area in the 1800s, mainly for summer grazing and exploration. The Snowy Hydro Scheme in the 1950s brought a big influx of workers resulting in the formal establishment of nearby towns like Jindabyne, and Thredbo Village.

The TVT itself was constructed in stages by NSW National Parks and renowned Tasmanian trail building company, Dirt Art. The upper section opened in 2015, with the lower extension added in 2019, linking Thredbo Village all the way to the Gaden Trout Hatchery.

How to Get to the Thredbo Valley Track

The TVT is about a 2.5-hour drive south of Canberra or 5.5-hours south of Sydney. Buses from Canberra or Sydney run as far as Jindabyne, but packing up a bike for the trip isn’t exactly easy. There’s no public transport to Thredbo in summer, so you’ll need a car or prearranged shuttle.

NSW National Park entry fees apply in Thredbo Village, Ngarigo Campground, Thredbo Diggings Campground, and the Thredbo River Picnic Area. There are free access points at Bullocks Flat and the Gaden Trout Hatchery.

Where to Stay Along the Thredbo Valley Track

The trail passes two NSW National Parks campgrounds, Ngarigo and Thredbo Diggings, both of which need to be booked online ahead of time as they fill up fast. Technically, you could bikepack the route over two days and stay at one of these. Personally, I don’t think this mountain bike track and panniers mix well. Hauling camping gear would just kill the fun.

If you’re after comfort, Oaks Lake Crackenback Resort sits roughly halfway along the track. Thredbo Village at the top trailhead has year-round accommodation, with bougie mountain lodges and chalets. Jindabyne is the biggest nearby town, about 30 minutes from Thredbo or 15 minutes from the Thredbo River Picnic Area, with everything from lakeside caravan parks to luxury Airbnbs.

Skill Level

Beginner & Intermediate (depending on the section)

The TVT is a mix of beginner (green) and intermediate (blue) trails. The Upper TVT is mostly beginner-friendly, featuring mellow descents and wide berms. The Lower TVT is much more challenging, with tighter turns, punchy climbs, and rock gardens that test your line choice.

Keep in mind when you’re flying down the trail, this is a multi-directional track open to riders, runners, and walkers, so be aware of oncoming traffic.

Full disclosure: I’ve only ever ridden it west to east (top to bottom) because I’m here for the downhill. That direction has about 800m of descent (with just 400m of climbing), so much more my style.

Read more: A Beginner’s Guide to Mountain Biking

Essential Gear

• Rain jacket
• Bike repair kit (spare tube or plugs, levers, pump, multi-tool, quick link)
• Water and snacks
• Emergency communication device
• First aid kit (including a snake bandage)
• Sunscreen
• Bike gloves
• Helmet (obviously)

What it’s Like to Ride the Thredbo Valley Track

Upper TVT – Thredbo to Ngaragio

Skill Level: Beginner (Green)
Distance: 9.3km
Elevation Gain: ≈80m Loss: ≈220m

This is one of the more popular sections of the TVT, and for good reason, it’s easily the most flowy. The trail eases you in as it leaves Friday Flat at Thredbo Village, descending through sub-alpine landscapes. There’s five bridges to tick off as it zigzags over the Thredbo River.

Around the 6km mark, it passes the old ranger station, the site of the infamous decommissioned Thredbo to Charlotte Pass chairlift.

From here, the trail rolls into a few short, punchy climbs before flattening out before Ngarigo Campground. By that point, you’ll be hanging for a swim on a hot summer’s day. I highly recommend you let the intrusive thoughts win and go for a dip. You won’t regret it!

Upper TVT – Ngarigo to Thredbo Diggings

Skill Level: Intermediate (Blue)
Distance: 4.8km One-way
Elevation Gain: ≈60m Loss: ≈145m

This is the most technical section of the Upper TVT, though it’s short with nothing too gnarly, so beginners can always walk anything they’re not confident on. It has a few tight switchbacks, a couple of small rock gardens, and some narrow-ish boardwalks that hug the hill, giving nice views of the river if you slow down enough to see them. By the time we roll into Thredbo Diggings, we’re usually hooting, hollering, and full of adrenaline.

Upper TVT – The Thredbo Diggings to Bullocks Flat

Skill Level: Beginner (Green)
Distance: 2.7km km one-way
Elevation Gain: ≈30m Loss: ≈45m

There are three trails leaving the Thredbo Diggings heading east: the Bullocks Track, which follows right beside the river (walkers only); the TVT (green); or the Muzzlewood (blue) trail. This is the easiest section of the upper TVT, with wide, smooth trails and a beginner-friendly distance.

Just watch out for a few loose gravel corners. The Muzzlewood trail is narrower and more technical, offering a bit more of a challenge for intermediate riders.

All three trails meet back on the paved track by the Thredbo River, just before Bullocks Hut. From here, you can get picked up at the Bullocks Flat Ski Tube car park, ride 1.5km to Lake Crackenback for a pizza at Perrotta’s, or continue onward onto the lower TVT.

Lower TVT – Bullocks Flat to Gaden Bridge

Skill Level: Intermediate (Blue)
Distance: 18.7km
Elevation Gain: ≈275m Loss: ≈475m

This is the newest part of the TVT, opening in 2019, but be warned: it’s the longest and most remote section. There’s a big distance between exit points, so make sure you’ve got the skills and stamina before committing. 

After crossing the Thredbo River on the Ski Tube Bridge, the newly built Snowies Iconic Walk peels off to Perisher, and that’s the last man-made structure you’ll see until the Gaden Trout Hatchery.

Around 10km from Bullocks Flat, Boulder Lookout makes a perfect mid-ride snack stop.

Expect tighter switchbacks, more rock gardens, and steady climbs through here.

Lower TVT – Gaden Bridge to Thredbo River Picnic Area

Skill Level: Beginner (Green)
Distance: 1.5km one-way
Elevation Gain: ≈10m Loss: ≈20m

This section is perfect for complete beginners or families. It’s recently been resurfaced, making it wheelchair and pram-friendly, so just be mindful of other people on the path. 

As it’s fairly flat and wide, it works well as an out-and-back from either end. The Thredbo River runs close alongside, and on hot days you’ll often spot people (i.e me) floating past in inflatables or kayaks. This is the only part of the trail open year-round, but avoid riding when it’s wet to keep it in tip-top shape.

Extending the Ride into Jindabyne

While the official trail ends at the Thredbo River Picnic Area, it’s possible to ride all the way into Jindabyne almost entirely on dirt. Cross the Gaden Bridge and exit the trout hatchery onto Gaden Road, then cross Perisher Road onto Hatchery Bay Road, which leads directly into the Hatchery Bay Trail.

From there, you can link into the paved Lake Jindabyne Foreshore Track, with some dirt side hits on the Yabby Track, if you want a bit more spice. Ride all the way into town and straight to the brewery or pub for a celebratory bev and burger.

Tips for Riding the Thredbo Valley Track

Best Time to Ride

The section from Gaden Bridge to the Thredbo River Picnic Area is the only part open all year. The rest of the TVT is closed during winter and can also be closed anytime for track maintenance or aerial pest control, so always check NSW National Parks updates before heading out.

Shuttle Options

Harro’s Snowsports at Crackenback Resort runs daily bike shuttles to Thredbo, which makes logistics a bit easier to ride the upper section or you can organise a car shuttle. You CAN ride the whole trail as an out-and-back, but it’s a huge day with a lot of climbing.

Type of Bike

You’ll need a hardtail or dual-suspension bike to ride the TVT. Some might opt for an e-bike if they want an assist on the uphills, but personally, I don’t think it’s necessary.

Bike Hire

Hardtails, dual-suspension, and e-bikes are available at shops in Thredbo, Lake Crackenback, and Jindabyne. Book ahead during busy times like school holidays, as they can run out.

Phone Service

Signal can be patchy in the valley, particularly on the lower half of the trail. You can hire a personal locator beacon (PLB) from NSW National Parks Snowy Region Visitor Centre in Jindabyne for free.

Wildlife

Snakes are common along the river. I’ve had a few close calls with danger noodles on this trail, so keep your eyes peeled, especially on hot days. Always carry a snake bandage and some form of emergency communication.

Thredbo Valley Track FAQs

How long is the Thredbo Valley Track?

The Thredbo Valley Track is 37km long.

Is the Thredbo Valley Track suitable for beginners?

Some sections of the Thredbo Valley Track are suitable for beginner mountain bikers, most of which are in the upper section. In particular, the 2.7km section between Thredbo Diggings and Bullocks Flat, and the 1.5km section from Gaden Bridge to Thredbo River Picnic Area, which is even suitable for families.

Is the Thredbo Valley Track able to be ridden in winter?

We’re in the Snowy Mountains here, so winter brings plenty of the white stuff, causing most of the track to close during winter. The only section that’s open all year round is the section between Gaden Bridge and Thredbo River Picnic Area.

Keep Exploring the Snowy Mountains

• 4 Steps to Shredding the Snowy Mountains on a Budget
• Kosciuszko to Kiandra – Hiking The Snowy Mountains in Summer
• 5 Best Hikes & Walks In Kosciuszko National Park
• 13 Great Reasons to Visit the Snowy Mountains When There’s No Snow