Trail Fast Facts

The Walls of Jerusalem Circuit hike is a 34km, grade 4 multi-day in Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Tasmania. This hike typically takes 3-4 days to complete.

Length: 34km

Duration: 3-4 days

Grade 4 (Hard)

Style: Circuit

Start: Mersey Forest Road

End: Mersey Forest Road

Location: Walls of Jerusalem National Park

State: Tasmania

Nearby town: Liena

From state capital: 302km

Latitude: -41.7761025

Longitude: 146.23452901840213

Overview

Map and GPX file

Directions

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Warning

The area is exposed alpine and weather conditions can change quickly.

Take your time to savour the majestic beauty of the dolerite peaks, ancient pencil pine groves, rich cultural heritage, and iconic Tasmanian wildlife of the Walls of Jerusalem National Park on the Central Walls Circuit multi day walk. Once on the plateau, endless spectacular views and a kaleidoscope palette of colours greet you: dolerite peaks; groves of ancient pencil pines; twisted snow gums; and an extraordinary diversity of ground-hugging alpine plants, including striking fields of scoparia. This is the top of Tasmania, part of the Central Highlands or the Lake Country, a land sculpted thousands of years ago by glaciers. Here, water is an ever-present feature, found in the hundreds of lakes, tarns and trickling streams.

Day 1 - Carpark to Wild Dog Creek campsite

The Walls of Jerusalem Circuit commences with a steep, 3km, 600m elevation climb from the carpark, through eucalypt forest to Trappers Hut and the alpine plateau. Once walkers reach Trappers Hut, the walk becomes significantly easier. Walkers undertake a 3km walk from Trapper's Hut, past Solomons Jewels and alongside Wild Dog Creek to Wild Dog Creek campsite. This campsite has tent platforms, toilets and (often) running water.

Day 2 - Wild Dog Creek to Dixons Kingdom

After passing through Herods Gate you're within the Central Walls. From here, it's a memorable journey to Damascus Gate, surrounded by dolerite mountains, past tranquil lakes and tarns. Half way along the track to Damascus Gate, walkers have the opportunity to take a short detour to the Pool of Bethesda. Once reaching Damascus Gate, walkers can choose to ascend Solomons Throne (to the west) or The Temple (to the east). Alternatively, walkers can continue South to Dixons Kingdom campsite. When arriving at Dixons Kingdom campsite, walkers have the opportunity to undertake another side trip to Mount Jerusalem. Dixons Kingdom campsite has tent platforms and a double pedestal full capture toilet.

To keep this wild country pristine, please do not climb Solomons Throne (or the West Wall) by any route other than the track from Damascus Gate.

Side trip - Pool of Bethesda: This short easy walk provides access to a beautiful alpine pool, nestled amongst ancient pencil pines. Swimming and camping are not allowed in this area.

Side trip - Damascus Gate to Solomons Throne (1470m): This short yet steep ascent summits one of the higher peaks in the Walls of Jerusalem, offering exceptional 360 degree views and an opportunity to observe the unique vegetation of the plateau leading to King Davids Peak and the West Wall. Camping is not allowed in this area.

Side trip - Damascus Gate to The Temple (1446m): This short climb rewards visitors with spectacular views of the central walls area. Camping is not allowed in this area.

Side trip - Dixons Kingdom to Mount Jerusalem (1459m): From Dixons Kingdom, a track follows a ridgeline to ascend Mount Jerusalem. The view from the summit includes a spectacular and endless sea of lakes and tarns, with majestic dolerite mountains surrounding the inner walls. Camping is not allowed in this area.

Day 3 - Dixons Kingdom to Lake Adelaide

Between Dixons Kingdom campsite and north shore of Lake Ball, there is a well-marked track with hardened areas over boggy vegetation. To protect the alpine vegetation, please follow the marked track.

At Lake Ball, follow the route through Richea scoparia heathland, heading west along its north shore. This section of the track crosses areas of scree and exposed myrtle roots, which may require some extra attention for less experienced walkers to safely traverse. The campsite is located 300m north of Lake Adelaide shoreline and provides a grassed area for tents and a full capture toilet. Please note there is no camping permitted on the north shoreline of Lake Adelaide.

It is possible to walk back to the trail head on day 3 but I'd recommended you take your time and camp at the Lake Adelaide campsite.

Day 4 - Lake Adelaide campsite to trail head

This track departs Lake Adelaide, heading north along the Junction Lake Track towards the historic Trappers Hut. The track crosses scenic valleys and alpine plains interspersed with cushion plants and pristine tarns, for an easy final day's walk. Once the main track to Wild Dog Creek is reached, follow the signs and head north to begin the steep downhill return to the main carpark via Trappers Hut.

Track Grade

Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Tips

Outside of the designated camping platforms, camping is not encouraged. If you must camp elsewhere, avoid areas adjacent to water as these are most easily eroded.
Overnight visitors utilising the Recreation Zone Walls Circuit Track area must only camp within the designated sites at Wild Dog Creek, Dixons Kingdom, and Lake Adelaide.
Leave No Trace principles apply. Do not camp within 200 metres of the Pool of Siloam, or within 15 metres of Dixons Kingdom Hut or Trappers Hut.
Elsewhere in the park, tracks are rudimentry and facilities are non-existent. To explore further afield, bushwalking experience, compass and map reading skills, and a good degree of fitness are required. (Ironstone deposits within this area may affect compass readings.)
To protect the sensitive alpine vegetation from erosion, we encourage you not to venture beyond the formed and hardened tracks where they exist. Walkers venturing beyond the described destinations below, must be self-reliant and experienced alpine backcountry walkers.
Where there is no track, fan out' rather than walking single file. This helps spread the load of walkers' feet and avoids new tracks being worn by those following you.

Map and GPX file

Walls of Jerusalem: Circuit Hike (34km)

Total distance: 32530 m
Max elevation: 1458 m
Min elevation: 719 m
Total climbing: 1592 m
Total descent: -1592 m

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Trail Location (trailhead)

Getting there

Walls of Jerusalem: Circuit Hike (34km)

The boundary of the Walls of Jerusalem National Park is 1km from the road end carpark. Bushwalkers must walk into the park from this carpark located off the gravel Mersey Forest Road near Lake Rowallan. The carpark is reached from Deloraine by following the B12 through Mole Creek and taking Mersey Forest Road (C138 then C171) to Lake Rowallan. A gravel road on the left just after the Fish River leads to the car park. There is no public transport to this area. The park boundary is reached after 30 minutes walking following the track uphill through forest. The track can be wet underfoot. Drive carefully between sunset and sunrise as you will be sharing the road with wildlife. National Parks fees apply.

National Park Passes can be purchased from Visitor Centres in the larger national parks and Service Tasmania Shops. For the full range of passes including Annual and Two Yearly visit any Service Tasmanian Shop (the closest are Sheffield or Deloraine) or a National Park Visitor Centre.

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About the region

Located in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the Walls of Jerusalem is a wild and inspiring alpine park with a labyrinth of highland lakes, craggy mountains and elegant stands of pure pencil pine forests. Its stunning landscape of precipitous dolerite peaks, moraines and tarns are the result of glaciation.

The constantly changing landscape is as unpredictable as it is beautiful and walkers should come prepared, as the weather can shift from one hour to the next. The unique alpine vegetation and clean, crisp air of this remote highland region is sure to invigorate and inspire those with a sense of adventure.

The Walls of Jerusalem National Park is spectacular and remote high country, sculpted by glaciers thousands of years ago. Today, water remains an ever-present feature in the numerous lakes, tarns and trickling streams.

With no road access to its boundary, this alpine wonderland is for exploring on foot. The most visited part of the park is inside the Central Walls', flanked by towering fluted dolerite peaks. To get there from the carpark, follow the initial steep walking track via Trappers Hut to Wild Dog Creek campsite. From hereon, it is a gently undulating landscape, with dolerite peaks guarding an impossibly beautiful alpine garden. Here the gods have played, dropping generous dollops of lime green onto an olive-grey canvas, finishing with delicate strokes of pink, red, orange, gold and white.

From Wild Dog Creek campsite, the main track passes through Herods Gate into the interior Central Walls, and out through Damascus Gate to the charming historic Dixons Kingdom Hut. Side tracks lead to mountain summits.

This is an ancient and fragile landscape. At altitude, and with such cold temperatures, plants grow slowly and recover more slowly so please stay on the tracks to minimise your impact.

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Explore Safe

While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.

Let someone know

Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.

Gear to consider

What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.

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Walls of Jerusalem: Circuit Hike (34km)

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Acknowledgement of Country

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.

Trail Fast Facts

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Hike Overview