Grade 1

The Labyrinth Plateau & Geryon North (37km)

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Tasmania

37km

3 days

Grade 5

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Quick overview: The Labyrinth Plateau hike covers 37 km over three days in Tasmania's Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Starting at the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre, the Grade 5 trail involves rugged terrain and steep ascents, culminating at the Labyrinth Lookout and Mount Geryon North. Pine Valley Hut serves as a resting point and base for venturing to The Acropolis. This trail demands advanced fitness and navigation skills, making it suitable for experienced bushwalkers ready for a significant challenge.

Length

Duration

Difficulty

Trail type

Trail details

Max elevation: 1499m
Min elevation: 738m
Total Ascent: 1691m

Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website and conditions before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.

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Important information

Route in detail

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Grade 5 (difficult) badge

Grade 5 (Difficult)

For very experienced bushwalkers

Grade 5 walks are likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked. They require a high level of bushwalking experience, specialised navigation skills and strong self-reliance, including preparation for emergencies and changing weather. Walks may exceed 20km.

Safety note: If you haven't comfortably completed Grade 4 walks, including off-track navigation, build up to those before attempting this one.

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Plan and prepare

Australian conditions can turn a small oversight into a serious situation faster than most walkers expect. For a multi-day hike, that means the right gear, weather-appropriate layers, food and water planned for every day, and a plan for each night's camp. The multi-day hike planning guide walks you through it.

The Hiking Safety Systems and planning calculators help you understand and close the gaps before you leave home. The Interactive Safety Scenarios show how small gaps turn into real incidents. If you’re new to planning hikes, start with the hike preparation guide.

Download the free hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Let someone know

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take, and it only takes two minutes.

Heading somewhere remote, off-track or overnight? Use the comprehensive trip intentions form instead, as your emergency contact will need more detail. Register your trip plan here →

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Directions

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Accommodation nearby

Search accommodation in nearby towns: Queenstown

Find somewhere to stay near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location.

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The map shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Use the toggle in the top right corner to switch layers, including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger and weather warnings. Windy is a forecast model, not an official warning service. Check the Bureau of Meteorology for current warnings before you go.

11 Reviews on “The Labyrinth Plateau & Geryon North (37km)”

Overall rating
  • Darren edwards avatar Darren Edwards Trail Author

    What an amazing hike. I have been in here a few times and it always seems to be wet. Signs of the alpine region I guess. It is evident why they call it the Labyrinth as it is a maze of trails and lakes. What a beautiful area. We didn’t summit Geryon North as the weather made it too risky, so we set up camp and just enjoyed the areas before returning to Pine Valley Hut the next day, ready to explore the Acropolis. It is well worth basing yourself here for a few days to really have a good look around.

    1. where did you camp beyond pine valley hut? Can you camp at labyrinth lookout?

      1. Darren edwards avatar Darren Edwards Trail Author

        Hi Jordan. I would not recommend camping directly on the Labyrinth Lookout, it’s very limited, and the terrain is incredibly fragile. While camping is permitted within the Labyrinth Plateau, the environment is very sensitive, so visitors are encouraged to stick to well-established sites or use the Pine Valley Hut to avoid damaging the alpine vegetation. Lake Elysia is a popular spot to camp, though keep in mind there are no formal tent pads and the ground is fragile. Others camp around Lake Helios for shelter, but keep in mind that it is also high-alpine and very exposed, so come prepared for serious weather.

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The labyrinth plateau & geryon north (37km) - trail hiking australia

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

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