Cradle Mountain Lodge & Waldheim Alpine Spa
Walking Amongst the Wilderness at Cradle Mountain
There are over 20 walks to choose from directly around the Lodge
View from Dove Lake Circuit Walk
The best way to appreciate the World Heritage Listed environment at Cradle Mountain is by taking a scenic walk.
For guests of Cradle Mountain Lodge, it is not necessary to venture into the National Park to experience the best of Tasmania's wilderness, as we have a host of great walks with spectacular scenery that leave directly from the Lodge grounds. These walks are suitable for a wide range of fitness levels and weather conditions.
Use our guide below to help determine which of these walks are most suitable for you. Additional information and detailed walking maps are also available from the Cradle Mountain Visitors Centre.
When out walking, it is recommended that you do not wander off the tracks and that you wear sensible, comfortable shoes or sneakers. You should also take warm clothes and/or wet weather gear, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses with you, as the weather is unpredictable in this alpine region.
For environmental reasons, we ask that you follow the Minimal Impact Guidelines by:
- Staying on formed tracks at all times
- Carry all rubbish with you
- Do not drop cigarette butts or matches
- Do not feed the wallabies, birds or other wildlife
- Please consider others and keep noise to a minimum
Grades:
Easy: Suitable for all ages, but take care with children.
Medium: Some steps and inclines; for people who walk occasionally.
Hard: Steep steps and inclines; for people who walk regularly. Visitors with heart or respiratory problems should not attempt these walks.
GUIDED WALKS, SELF-GUIDED WALKS AND WANDERS
*Denotes that Guided Walks along these tracks are also available - charges apply.
Take time to enjoy the scenic views along the way
The Enchanted Walk River
The Enchanted Walk Boardwalk
The Enchanted Stroll*
Meander along the banks of the Pencil Pine River, passing through a diverse array of vegetation, from buttongrass plains to teatree thickets, eucalypt woodlands and mossy myrtle forests. At dawn and dusk, an opportunity (if you're fortunate) to see the elusive platypus as it frolics in the pools, or glimpse a wombat as it feeds.
| Duration | 20 Minutes (1km) |
| Grade | Easy |
| Starts | The front of the Main Lodge (circular track) |
King Billy Track*
Ramble along through this age old temperate rainforest to discover the myrtle, sassafras and ancient King Billy pines up to 1500 years of age. These giants are now fully protected, although once greatly sought after for their timber. The collection seen on-route are some of the oldest known in the local area.
| Duration | 40 Minutes (2km) |
| Grade | Easy |
| Starts | To the right of the Main Lodge (circular track) |
The Waterfalls Walk (Pencil Pine Falls and Knyvet Falls)*
If you enjoy cascading waterfalls and tranquil rivers then this is the walk for you. Follow the Dove Canyon Track to the Pencil Pine Falls, only 5 minutes walk. This popular swimming spot is likely to provide one of the more invigorating swims of a lifetime! The whole track is boardwalk. From the Pencil Pine falls, continue downstream towards Knyvet Falls. Return via the same route. The waterfalls are particularly spectacular after periods of rain.
| Duration | 30-40 minutes (1.5km) |
| Grade | Easy |
| Starts | Opposite Voyages Cradle Mountain Lodge Boutique. |
Speeler Track
The Speeler track, beginning on the same route as the King Billy track, offers scenic vistas ranging from cool temperate rainforests, to the seemingly endless fields of buttongrass known as the 'Fury Plains'. You may even be able to catch glimpses of Cradle Valley and Cradle Mountain, weather permitting. The walk also offers the perfect opportunities for seeing wombats, wallabies and echidnas. Please be aware that this track becomes very muddy after rain.
| Duration | 1.5 Hours |
| Grade | Medium |
| Starts | To the right of the Main Lodge (circular track) |
Dove Canyon Track
After discovering the beauty of the Knyvet Falls this track continues to follow the path of the Pencil Pine River, before taking you through impressive temperate rainforests. A five minute detour, approximately 500m after crossing the river, will take you to the striking junction of the Pencil Pine River and the Dove River. As you continue, the track climbs to the top of Dove Canyon where you are faced with 60-70m cliffs that form the boundaries of Dove River. You are also treated to spectacular views down Cradle Valley and of Cradle Mountain on a clear day. Please be aware this is a more challenging track with one small part involving scaling up rocks; not recommended after periods of rain.
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Grade | Hard |
| Starts | Opposite the Cradle Mountain Boutique (circular track). |
GUIDED TOURS AND WALKS
Why Take a Guided Tour/Walk?
The advantage of taking a tour guide is not to find the way - the popular tracks are generally well maintained and sign posted, so you shouldn't get lost. However, to get the most out of your time here, a guide can help you to understand what you are seeing, to appreciate the wonderful scenery at a more than aesthetic level. The Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area meets more criteria for listing than any other on earth. Understanding how this place is significant on a universal scale will enhance the enjoyment and fulfilment of your stay at Cradle Mountain. At Cradle Mountain Lodge we have a daily program of guided walks which are recommended either as an introduction to the area or as a guided adventure to some of the more spectacular peaks. All guided tours start at the main Lodge and transport into the National Park is provided where applicable. The duration of the walk may range from 20 minutes to 8 hours. Please refer to the Mountain Messenger for schedules and prices, charges apply for all guided walks. Bookings are essential and can be made at Reception.
* Not all walks are offered each day.
Dove Lake Cicuit Walk
A fairly easy grade makes this walk suitable for all ages and fitness levels, focusing on Cradle Mountain, temperate rainforests and sub alpine plant communities. See Cradle Mountain in all its glory and learn about the action of past glaciers on the landscape.
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Grade | Easy |
Waldheim and Dove Lake Tour
The road to Waldheim turns off approximately 2.5km before Dove Lake, from there it is a mere 500 meters to the chalet and car park. The tour will stop to look at the beautiful Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain (weather permitting). On the way, your guide will tell you all about the local fauna, flora and history of this famous area. Your visit to Waldheim will give an introduction to the life and times of Cradle Valley's pioneer conservationists, Gustav and Kate Weindorfer. A short stroll through the ancient rainforest followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea completes this tour.
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Grade | Easy |
Crater Lake
An excellent walk which takes you to the Crater Falls and a magical forest with pandini and sassafras trees. Discover the hidden glacial lake surrounded by 200 meter cliffs covered with fagus. Great views of Marion's Lookout, Dove and Crater Lakes.
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Grade | Medium |
Marions's Lookout
This is a moderate grade walk with some steep sections, so a reasonable degree of fitness is desirable. On a clear day, this walk offers spectacular views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake.
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Grade | Medium to Hard |
Summit Climb
A must for the more adventurous. Join our guide for a day you will never forget. Hike and climb to the summit of Cradle Mountain and enjoy lunch on 'top of the world' overlooking most of northwest Tasmania. Simply breathtaking. The walk is of a hard grade (including some rock scrambling). A briefing is usually held in the Weindorfer Lounge the evening prior and it is recommended that those participating in the climb attend this briefing.
| Duration | 8 Hours |
| Grade | Hard |
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