Mt Rufus Circuit is a 19km, grade 4 hike located in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania. The hike should take around 7 hrs to complete.

Length: 19km

Duration: 7 hrs

Grade: 4

Style: Circuit

Start: Lake St Clair Visitors Centre

End: Lake St Clair Visitors Centre

Location: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Closest town: Derwent Bridge

Tasmania

From state capital: 180km

Longitude: 146.172951

Latitude: -42.116756

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Hike overview

An easily accessible mountain walk giving outstanding views of Lake St Clair, Mount Olympus, Frenchmans Cap and the headwaters of the Franklin River.

Highlights

As the altitude increases, vegetation changes from eucalypt forest to patches of cool temperate rainforest in the gullies. As you climb higher, the vegetation changes again to sub-alpine forest, dominated by snow gums (Eucalyptus coccifera) and stunted rainforest. Towards the summit, alpine plant communities dominate and during late spring and early summer they provide a colourful display of fragrant flowers.

Below the summit is an area of wind and rain sculptured sandstone that forms many weird and fascinating shapes. These sandstone blocks are almost 300 million years old and once formed a continuous layer across most of Tasmania. About 165 million years ago magma intruded up through the sandstone to form dolerite, which covered the sandstone layer. Both layers have been eroded over time by wind, rain, snow and glacial action.

Below the saddle between Mount Rufus and Mount Hugel the track winds through Richea Valley, named for the pandani and scoparia plants that grow here. These plants, which are both heaths, belong to the Richea genus of plants. The beautiful colours of flowering scoparia include reds, pinks, yellows and whites.

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 18862 m
Max elevation: 1395 m
Min elevation: 755 m
Total climbing: 764 m
Total descent: -764 m

Download file: Mt%20Rufus%20Circuit.gpx

For more information about this hiking trail please visit Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania

Trail features

Concrete Path
Timber Boardwalk
Gravel Path

Tips

Park entry fees apply. (Self registration park entrance.)

Visitor centre, restaurant and accommodation.

Supervise children , tracks subject to 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.

Trail location

Getting there

Road C193 to Lake St Clair from the Lyell Highway (A10)

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Access conditions

2WD Access
4WD Access
Public Transport
Bitumen Road
Gravel Road
Steep Road
Winding Road
Speed Bumps
Vehicle Ford
Entry Fee
Large Car Park
Small Car Park
Accessible Parking
Accessible Toilet
Public Toilets
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Picnic Shelter

Gallery

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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.

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Reviews

0 Reviews on “Mt Rufus Circuit (19km)”

Overall rating

Joey Paris

Al Mountbatten

24/03/2022, 05:12

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1. Jenny Woodhouse
  
  I did this last week!!! It was fantastic! Lovely easy walking section along the Summit Ridge to Summit however prior to that was densely rooted and rocked track which took plenty of time and careful footwork to negotiate. It was also on my bucket list.
  
  11/03/2018, 09:23
  
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2. Kim Alcock
  
  Catherine Reid
  
  24/03/2022, 05:12
  
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3. Kathy Chislett
  
  One of my favourite day hikes…the changing terrain and vegetation is amazing ? If you haven’t done this add it to your bucket list ?
  
  24/03/2022, 05:12
  
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4. Glennis Lovatt
  
  VThis looks good for a hike Richard,I take it that you have been here .?
  
  24/03/2022, 05:12
  
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5. Richard Stewart
  
  Yep… it’s a great walk… and if the weather permits – head along to Platypus Bay, and have a swim!
  
  24/03/2022, 05:12
  
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