Walk Itinerary: Cradle Loop
A three day fully guided walk starting in Cradle Valley and based at Barn Bluff Hut, located in the north of the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park and within Tasmania’s World Heritage Area. The hut has hot showers, twin share rooms and delicious meals with Tasmanian wine. Click on the Location Map for a detailed day-by-day description of the itinerary.
Day One
Waldheim - Barn Bluff Hut
Cradle Mountain Huts guests meet at our walkers base at Quamby Estate at 7am (Launceston pick-up at 6:15am). After a light breakfast, briefing, gear check & introductions we journey to Waldheim in Cradle Valley. We then set off on the track by 11am. By lunch time we have walked through our first section of ancient temperate rainforest, have witnessed the dramatic glacially carved Crater Lake and the steepest section of the track is behind us. The steep section is mostly stepped and takes us about an hour. It gets us onto Marion’s Lookout which (hopefully) offers famous and spectacular views of Cradle Mountain with Dove Lake at its base - worth every step.
If the weather is fine we stop for lunch by the peaceful Plateau Creek before continuing for about another 4 hours around the base of Cradle Mountain, out along the edge of a spectacular glacial cirque then dropping into Waterfall Valley which we cross before arriving at our hut at the base of the towering Barn Bluff. Several hours of this days’ walk is over exposed alpine plateau which allows great views on a clear day but in rough weather the wind howls over the land making for exciting and sometimes challenging walking conditions. Some of the track is uneven under foot, however, we take our time to walk carefully and make sure we still look at the wonderful scenery all around.
Day 1 is approximately 12 km, 6 hours.
Cradle Mountain Huts guests meet at our walkers base at Quamby Estate at 7am (Launceston pick-up at 6:15am). After a light breakfast, briefing, gear check & introductions we journey to Waldheim in Cradle Valley. We then set off on the track by 11am. By lunch time we have walked through our first section of ancient temperate rainforest, have witnessed the dramatic glacially carved Crater Lake and the steepest section of the track is behind us. The steep section is mostly stepped and takes us about an hour. It gets us onto Marion’s Lookout which (hopefully) offers famous and spectacular views of Cradle Mountain with Dove Lake at its base - worth every step.
If the weather is fine we stop for lunch by the peaceful Plateau Creek before continuing for about another 4 hours around the base of Cradle Mountain, out along the edge of a spectacular glacial cirque then dropping into Waterfall Valley which we cross before arriving at our hut at the base of the towering Barn Bluff. Several hours of this days’ walk is over exposed alpine plateau which allows great views on a clear day but in rough weather the wind howls over the land making for exciting and sometimes challenging walking conditions. Some of the track is uneven under foot, however, we take our time to walk carefully and make sure we still look at the wonderful scenery all around.
Day 1 is approximately 12 km, 6 hours.
Day Two
Relax or get adventurous - or do both!On day 2 your guides will provide you with a few different options which might include an amble down to Lake Will (7km, 3 hours) and Innes Falls and maybe an invigorating swim with Barn Bluff as a majestic back drop. Perhaps you’d prefer to climb Barn Bluff (12km, 5-6 hours) which affords breath-taking views across much of Tasmania from a height of 1559m, Tasmania’s fourth highest peak. Or maybe just reconnoitre around Waterfall Valley or even while away the day with a cuppa and a good book on the verandah at Barn Bluff. Accommodation for the second night is again at Barn Bluff Hut. (Note: Options for this day may be limited, dependant primarily on the weather and the group dynamics.)
Day Three
Barn Bluff Hut - Dove Lake
Day 3 sees us head back up onto the cirque before dropping down behind Cradle Mountain through rainforest to the secluded Lake Rodway and Artists Pool. This area provides a view of the sheer cliffs on the south side of Cradle and Little Horn. We then meander through snow gums and tea tree to Twisted Lakes for lunch. The last part of our journey sees us descend to the lake via Hansons Peak to meet the bus. We return to Quamby Estate at around 5pm.
Day 3 walk is approximately 13 km, 6 hours.
Day 3 sees us head back up onto the cirque before dropping down behind Cradle Mountain through rainforest to the secluded Lake Rodway and Artists Pool. This area provides a view of the sheer cliffs on the south side of Cradle and Little Horn. We then meander through snow gums and tea tree to Twisted Lakes for lunch. The last part of our journey sees us descend to the lake via Hansons Peak to meet the bus. We return to Quamby Estate at around 5pm.
Day 3 walk is approximately 13 km, 6 hours.
