Hiking in Thredbo // Dead Horse Gap Via the Thredbo River Track
Dead Horse Gap is a one of its kind day hike which can be tackled literally from your doorstep when staying at The Eastern, Cedar Cabin. By combining the walk with the Thredbo River Track, you can leave the car in its parking spot, and hike to the Dead Horse Trailhead in less than an hour along a beautiful stretch of alpine river beauty, and head off on the Dead Horse Gap trail from there.
Photo credit: @ellielouhere
Key Facts for Your Hike
Drive duration from The Eastern
N/A if you choose to walk from The Eastern, but 7 minutes drive if you choose to drive to the Cascade Hut trailhead (and skip the Thredbo River Track).
Distance of hike
Approx. 9km with a chairlift ride in the middle (the Thredbo River Track is 4km and Dead Horse gap track is 5km, both one-way).
Duration of hike
Approx. 5-6 hours (4-5 hours walking + 1 hour for lunch and the chairlift)
Start/Finish
The Eastern, Cedar Cabin.
Photo credit: @ellielouhere
Trip Notes: Dead Horse Gap Via the Thredbo River Track
The Thredbo River Track
From The Eastern, Cedar Cabin, access the Thredbo River Track by crossing over the river at Crackenback Dr, and turning immediately left, keeping the golf course on your right-hand side.
Meander through this beautiful sub-alpine ecosystem, the Thredbo River bubbling excitedly next to you the entire track until you reach the Dead Horse Gap trailhead.
Take in the scent of eucalyptus from the snow gums lining the river, and depending on the month you visit, experience a wide range of sun-alpine flora such as the bulbous, yellow billy buttons that cover the ground in early summer.
Dead Horse Gap
Arriving at the Dead Horse Gap trailhead, right next to the Alpine Way, follow a clear path through mixed eucalypt forest, experiencing the iconic ghostly snow gums.
The trail sits just beneath the spectacular Ramshead Range, which can be reached by the more advanced hikers who have the navigation skills to go off-track.
But if that’s not you, don’t worry! This trail is a stunning standalone option and requires no off-track navigation at all.
Kosciuszko Express Chairlift
Reaching the end of the Dead Horse Gap trail, you’ll have views down into Thredbo Village and in summer you might even see recreational mountain bikers snaking their way down the trails!
Stop off for an icy cold beer at Eagles Nest Restaurant before taking a cheeky shortcut via the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift. Which will deposit you safely in the Thredbo Village.
Stay for a bite to eat or wander back to The Eastern for a soak in the onsen bath or a cheese platter on the balcony.
Other Important Info
Route Options
This trail can be made into a loop by combining with the Thredbo River Track and making use of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, but if you’re in a hurry or you don’t want a long hike, park one car at the Cascade Hut trailhead, and one car at the bottom of the Kosciuszko Express, and you’ll have a shorter, simpler walk that you can complete in less time.
Leave No Trace Trail Etiquette
Walking off-trail comes with some rules and responsibilities. Firstly, if you’re not walking on a padded path (and obviously worn path), make sure that you and your hiking companions don’t make your own new path. You can prevent making a new path by ‘fanning out’, that is, all choosing your own path rather than following one person. The grass you’re treading on will recover much more quickly this way.
Secondly, be careful around water sources. Don’t wash your food containers in them, don’t go to the toilet near them (stay at least 100m away), and make sure you know the rules for swimming in them before you take the plunge.
Thirdly, if you’ve brought a stove to cook your lunch or make a cuppa, make sure to find a rocky spot to light it, rather than directly on the grass. Campfires are also prohibited in the alpine backcountry, so in case that was part of your plan, hold off until you’re somewhere safer.
Fourthly, I feel like this one should be quite obvious, but I’ll mention it anyway—pack a rubbish bag and pack out all of your rubbish. This means banana and orange peels, toilet paper, nutshells, muesli bar wrappers, bandaids… everything.
Gear to Bring
Day hiking gear (shoes or sneakers, 2L water bottle, substantial snacks or lunch, basic first aid kit, rain jacket, sun protection including hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and sunscreen, and a mobile phone with the Emergency+ app installed); plus some cash for a beer at Eagles Nest and to buy a lift ticket.
Find more info at the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website