Namadgi National Park: Mount Tennent (2)

General Information

Distance:  15.7 kilometers return
Total climb:  899 meters
Time taken:  4 hours 10 minutes
Map:  Williamsdale 8726-4N, 1:25 000
Guide:   link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  36 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 87286 66083
Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 85340 64040
End point:  same as start
Note: I had previously done this walk on 2 April 2016 in far better weather, so I have used photographs from this earlier walk.

Route

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

This hike follows part of the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT), which begins at the Namadgi Visitor Centre, as does this particular hike. The Visitor Centre is on Naas Road 2.5 kilometers south of the village of Tharwa. From the Visitor Centre carpark, the first part of the trail leads back to Naas Road about 500 meters southwest of the carpark entry. We crossed the road and continued the trail on the other side, having first entered our intentions on the walkers' register there. The track climbs fairly gently at first, but starts to get steeper. About 2.8 kilometers from the start, having climbed about 170 meters, Cypress Pine Lookout offers some good views over the valley of the Murrumbidgee River to the east.

About 2.3 kilometers from Cypress Pine Lookout, the track forks, with the AAWT continuing to the right, and another trail to Mount Tennent heading left, which is the one that we wanted. This is well signposted, so does not present any difficulties. [Note: The Williamsdale map shows no fork in the track and has the AAWT following the track to Mount Tennent. There was a rerouting of the AAWT into the valley west of Mount Tennent and this has yet to find its way onto the printed map.]

Continuing along the  track, after 1.3 kilometers we struck the Mount Tennent Fire Trail and continued uphill. The Fire Trail leg of the hike is only about 1.2 kilometres long, but climbs about 160 meters in elevation, so very steep in most places. It is quite a relief to get to the summit, where there are great views in most directions. Or at least there are in good weather - we found ourselves up in the clouds on this particular day, but on a good day:

We returned the same way we came up, but it is also possible to continue down the Mount Tennent Fire Trail until it meets Apollo Road. This would require, however, either someone to pick you up at that end, or a long walk of over 10 kilometers back up Naas Road to the Namadgi Visitor Centre.

Make no mistake, this is quite a climb, but a very rewarding one. It can be quite busy on weekends, so if you are the type of hiker who likes peace and solitude it's best to go on a weekday if you can. The track is easy to follow and quite well maintained. On a good day, the views are spectacular, but if there is cloud and rain about it's probably best to leave it for another time.