THE Thredbo Valley Track (TVT) is a signature cross country mountain bike trail spanning over 35km from Thredbo to Gaden near Jindabyne.
The Snowy Mountains Magazine asked Jindabyne Cycling Club member Kelsey Boreham for the inside guide and tips for riding the TVT.
Thredbo to Ngarigo 9.3km
Starting from Friday Flat, the section to the Ranger Station is often the busiest with riders often doing short return loops down to the bridge. Classified as a green trail makes it ideal for all comers as it’s not particularly technical. Keep an eye out for riders in both directions and caution on any blind bends.
A gravel resurfacing program has left a hardened surface, perfect for hard wearing and sustainability of the trail, but on occasions can be slippery. Once past the Ranger Station, you encounter more traditional single-track riding and need to be conscious of tree roots and rocky sections.
The series of five suspension bridges spanning the Thredbo River on the 9.3km section to Nagrigo Campground is spectacular. The big steel spans, Ramshead Range above and beautiful scenery along the river make this a very enjoyable ride.
Ngarigo - Thredbo Diggings - Lake Crackenback 8.1km
You are now riding single track through bushland until Thredbo Diggings Campground where you encounter trail options to Bullocks Flat and Lake Crackenback Resort. Either take the higher Muzzlewood track, which is intermediate, more technical plus more climbing or the main trail which is a wider green trail.
Arriving at Lake Crackenback you have now finished the Upper TVT and have multiple trail options within the resort. A coffee and lunch at Alpine Larder is always worth the stop. If you are riding the full TVT this is your halfway mark.
Lower TVT
Bullocks Flat / Lake Crackenback to Gaden
18.4km Gaden
19.9 Thredbo River Picnic Area
Entering the lower section riders need to consider their riding level and what’s ahead. There are no exits on this 18.4 km section to Gaden Trout Hatchery. You're heading into a really remote zone.
From the Skitube bridge there is 3km of easier riding on mostly gravel surface before you encounter signage notifying you it’s intermediate level at least from there on.
The whole character of the trail now changes, it’s much tighter and really significant rocky and technical sections that will test you. It is not uncommon to see some people walk these more technical rocky downhill sections. A wise move for some if you are unsure.
Be equipped with tools for repairs, and the knowledge to fix your bike if breakdowns occur, plus have spare tubes. It’s a long walk out.
Riding time varies for everyone, allow at least several hours or longer if you plan to stop. Stock plenty of water and food, and if you’re not in a hurry, there are scenic places to stop for lunch.
It’s advisable to bring a first aid kit and certainly ride with a snake bandage. You could encounter copperhead, brown and tiger snakes, particularly further towards the end. Mobile phone service is not always guaranteed, depending on your provider, so perhaps you could consider an EPIRB for safety, which can be hired from NPWS.
Conclusion
It's a pretty amazing journey and a great piece of trail infrastructure to have in our backyard. After recent maintenance the trail is riding better this year than it has for several years. Enjoy.
Tips
Wash your bike at the top and bottom at available wash stations so you don’t carry weeds into Kosciuszko National Park.
