Cradle Mountain Walks

Cradle Mountain Short Walks

Rainforest Walk

Distance: 450 metres | Time: 10 minutes | Start: Interpretation Centre

One of the shortest walks in Cradle Mountain National Park, this 10-minute stroll leads from the Interpretation Centre to a viewpoint overlooking Pencil Pine Falls. 

Enchanted Walk

Distance: 1.2 kilometres | Time: 30 minutes | Start: Interpretation Centre

Beginning at the Interpretation Centre, this easy walk follows the banks of Pencil Pine Creek. It offers a great introduction to the diverse array of vegetation in Cradle Mountain National Park, including button grass, myrtle forests and eucalypt woodlands. 

King Billy Track

Distance: 2 kilometres | Time: 40 minutes | Start: Interpretation Centre

If you want to see some of Cradle Mountain’s most impressive King Billy pines, then this short walk is ideal. It was King Billy pines that first brought loggers to the area and some of the specimens along this trail are thought to be more than 1,500 years old. 

Waterfalls Walk

Distance: 1.5 kilometres | Time: 30-40 minutes | Start: Interpretation Centre

Visiting Pencil Pine Falls and Knyvet Falls, this easy trail begins near the Interpretation Centre along Dove Canyon Track. In the summer months, you can even take a dip at the base of Pencil Pine Falls, which is most impressive after heavy rainfall.

Speeler Track

Distance: 2.5km metres | Time: 1.5 hours | Start: Interpretation Centre

One of the shortest walks in Cradle Mountain National Park, this 10-minute stroll leads from the Interpretation Centre to a viewpoint overlooking Pencil Pine Falls. 

Cradle Mountain Half-Day Walks

Marion’s Lookout

Distance: 7.5 kilometres | Time: 3 hours | Start: Dove Lake

Accessed along a steep trail, Marion’s Lookout offers some of the most breathtaking views across Cradle Mountain National Park. It's important to be aware that it can be very windy at the top, so come prepared for all weather conditions. Marion’s Lookout Trail can be reached via the Dove Lake Circuit Trail.

Hanson’s Peak

Distance: 5 kilometres | Time: 3 hours | Start: Dove Lake

Located directly across the water from Marion’s Lookout, Hanson’s Peak offers impressive views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. It’s a relatively short but steep climb to the top where the weather can be highly changeable.

Cradle Valley Boardwalk

Distance: 6 kilometres | Time: 2-3 hours | Start: Interpretation Centre

From the Interpretation Centre, this picturesque boardwalk trail winds past Ronny Creek and Lake Lilla en route to Dove Lake. If you walk it in the reverse direction, be prepared for a slight ascent. 

Dove Canyon Track

Distance: 6 kilometres | Time: 3 hours | Start: Interpretation Centre

This half-day walk traverses a diversity of landscapes, including temperate rainforests, a rocky canyon and cascading falls. After following the banks of Pencil Pine Creek, it climbs to the top of Dove Canyon for magnificent views of Cradle Mountain.

Dove Lake Circuit Walk

Distance: 6 kilometres | Time: 2-3 hours | Start: Dove Lake

One of Cradle Mountain’s most popular walks, the Dove Lake Circuit offers diverse views of Cradle Mountain. It winds its way between temperature rainforests and sub-alpine vegetation, with the shores of Dove Lake always at your side. 

Crater Lake Circuit

Distance: 5.7 kilometres | Time: 3 hours | Start: Dove Lake

This half-day walk meanders between alpine lakes, pandani and sassafras forests en route to Crater Lake. Flanked by 200-metre-high cliffs covered in fagus, this is one of Cradle Mountain’s most impressive landscapes. 

Cradle Mountain Full-Day Walk

Cradle Summit

Distance: 12.8 kilometres | Time: 8 hours | Start: Dove Lake or Ronny’s Creek

Accessing the summit of Cradle Mountain, this challenging walk offers spectacular panoramas across the park’s rugged peaks and lakes. Always check with the rangers about current track and weather conditions before heading off, as this trail should not be attempted during heavy rain, snow or wind. 

Cradle Mountain Multi-Day Walk

Overland Track

Distance: 65 kilometres | Time: 6 days | Start: Ronny’s Creek

Tasmania’s most famous hiking trail is the Overland Track, which leads from Cradle Mountain to Lake St. Clair over the course of six days. The route is dotted with basic huts and tent platforms where you can spend the night, with hikers required to carry all of their food and equipment with them. Bookings are essential, particularly during the peak hiking season from 1 October to 31 May. 

A blue sign that says 'Cradle Valley Boardwalk' is positioned along a wooden pathway surrounded by dense greenery and trees.
A view of a waterfall cascading over rocks surrounded by trees in a lush forest, taken from a viewing platform with informational signs.
A mountainous landscape with rugged hills and peaks, a body of water in the foreground, and a cloudy sky in the background.
Reflection of mountain peaks and blue sky with some clouds on a calm lake with rocks and shrubs in the foreground.
A scenic view of a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks, a winding boardwalk through grassy terrain, and a sign indicating 'Overlander Track' with a small bear symbol at the bottom.