Cradle Mountain Summit Trail Hiking Australia

Length: 12.5km
Duration: 7hrs
Grade: 4
Style: Circuit
Start: Dove Lake Car Park
End: Dove Lake Car Park

Location: Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park
Closest Town: Cethana
Distance from CBD: 328km
State: TAS
Latitude: -41.650357
Longitude: 145.961384

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Entry Fee

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Bitumen Road

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Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park...

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Horse Riding

Cradle Mountain Summit is a 12.5km, grade 4 circuit hike, located in Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania. The hike should take approximately 7hrs to complete.

Hike Summary

The main track to Cradle Mountain summit leaves from Dove Lake and goes via Lake Lilla and Marions Lookout. However, walkers have a choice of several tracks and can choose to walk a different track on their return trip. Time of day, weather conditions and fitness of party should be kept in mind when choosing tracks for the trip. If in doubt, check with staff at the visitor centre. The walk is located in Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park.

Highlights

Once on the Cradle Plateau you will be walking among Tasmania's unique alpine vegetation. The climb up to the summit will take you through a jumble of magnificent dolerite scree and columner towers. Needless to say, the view from the top is superb!

About the region

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is located in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania (Australia), 165 kilometres northwest of Hobart. The park contains many walking trails, and is where hikes along the well-known Overland Track usually begin. Major features are Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff in the northern end, Mount Pelion East, Mount Pelion West, Mount Oakleigh and Mount Ossa in the middle and Lake St Clair in the southern end of the park. The park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Getting there

Road C132. 1 hour from Sheffield; 1.25 hours from Devonport. Bus shuttle operates to Dove Lake.

Tips

Park entry fees apply.
Toilets at Dove Lake and visitor centre. Picnic tables at Ronny Creek.
600m climb; walk includes crossing large rocks. Track starts at 900m and climbs to 1545m.
Supervise children, waters in lake, severe weather conditions all year round, weather may change quickly, tracks are difficult to navigate when covered in snow and may be impassable.
No pets, firearms or bicycles.