Pilot Wilderness mountain bike ride (Alpine Way to Barry Way)

Where

Lower Snowy River area in Kosciuszko National Park

Distance

53km one-way

Time suggested

9hrs

Grade

Hard

Entry fees

Park entry fees apply

Opening times

This trail is open to bike riders and walkers in summer and for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Fat bikes permitted year-round.

What to
bring

Drinking water, hat, snacks, sunscreen, suitable clothing, topographic map, compass

Please note

• If you're riding a bike, please give way to walkers along this track.
• Fill in the free trip intention form and hire a PLB from the Snowy Region Visitor Centre or Perisher Visitor Office.
• The northern section of this route, between Alpine Way and Tin Mine Huts, can be snowbound during winter months (June-October). Snowdrifts on Bobs Ridge can extend through to December in a big snow year.

Pilot Wilderness mountain bike ride starts from Alpine Way, at the Cascade trail head, and travels through the remote Pilot Wilderness Area to Pinch River campground, on Barry Way.

Along the way, it follows several trails, including Cascade Hut trail, Ingeegoodbee trail and Nine Mile trail. Adrenaline junkies take note – there are sustained steep climbing sections on Bobs Ridge that will test your cardio fitness. The very steep descent on Nine Mile trail will test your riding skills.

If you’re after a moderately difficult route with incredible views, turn around once you reach the crest of Bob's Ridge, or Cascade Hut - a short detour off the main trail. If you plan to tackle the long, challenging ride through to Barry Way, you'll need to be experienced in long-distance riding and pack riding. Bring a map, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), food and water supplies.

From Cascade Hut, experienced riders can continue past the Tin Mine Huts turnoff. Turn on to Ingeegoodbee trail then on to Nine Mile trail. This steep section, along Nine Mile trail, drops 1000m in 5km, on its way to Pinch River campground, at the junction of the Pinch and Snowy rivers.

The ride travels from the sub-alpine areas of Thredbo Valley through the montane forests of snow gum, mountain gum and alpine ash at the heart of Pilot Wilderness Area. Finally you drop down to the native cypress pine and white box woodlands in Lower Snowy River Valley.

Most people tackle the ride as a one-way trip north to south with a supporting car shuffle, due to the drop in elevation. If you don't organise a car pickup from Barry Way, it's around 61km north (uphill) to Jindabyne or 30km south to Suggan Buggan.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info