Launceston - Waldheim to Dove Lake - Hanson's Peak optional
- Walk 9.4km circuit
- 5 hours walking with breaks.
- Medium Grade.
MAIN WALK GRADE: Walk 9.4km circuit. 5 hours walking with breaks. WGood level of fitness required. Medium Grade.
WALK ITINERARY: Meet your friendly Tasmanian guides at 7.30am at the Grand Chancellor, Launceston. From here we drive two hours through the rich fertile farmlands and quaint villages to Cradle Mountain where we drop off our bags at the accommodation and then our adventure begins. Today we will start out through button grass plains and follow Ronny Creek then take a detour to see what the original accommodation was like at Waldheim Chalet, including a short walk through beautiful Alpine Pine trees and myrtles. Lake Lilla track takes us to Dove Lake and our first clear view of the mountain at the iconic Boatshed. We then have the option of circumnavigating Dove Lake or walking to Hansons Peak. During our Dove Lake walk our guides bring the place to life, pointing out the unique local flora and fauna which help make this place so special. You can’t come to Cradle mountain and not do Dove Lake. For those who want more of a challenge, Hanson’s Peak provides some fantastic views of Cradle Mountain and the surrounding valleys.
Day Two
Cradle Mountains Circuit - Option to summit Cradle Mountain.
- Walk 10.2kms (or 12.2km if summiting Cradle Mountain). Total climbing 760m
- 6-7 hours walking with breaks
- Medium Grade for normal walk. Hard Grade: For those wishing to summit Cradle Mountain.
MAIN WALK GRADE: Walk 10.2kms. Walk with inclines total climbing 760m. 6-7 hours walking with breaks. Medium Grade. Good level of fitness required.
OPTIONAL CRADLE MOUNTAIN SUMMIT GRADE: Optional. Total kilometres for the day for those choosing this option is 12.2km. Hard Grade. Excellent level of fitness and agility required as involves rock climbing, boulder hopping and rock scrambling 50%.
WALK ITINERARY: Enjoy breakfast at Cradle Mountain Lodge before setting out on the day’s adventure. We follow the traditional start to the overland track, incorporating Crater Lake and Crater falls, then up Marion’s Peak where on a clear day you can see the Walls of Jerusalem plateau. A billy break at Kitchener’s Hut gives a chance to rest and appreciate Cradle Mountain from its base. The mountain is a remarkable sight being made up of high nara row ridge with dolerite cliffs on both sides.
CRADLE MOUNTAIN SUMMIT OPTION (weather permitting): For the more active members of our group can choose an additional optional walk to the summit of Cradle Mountain to take in magnificent views across the Tasmanian Highlands (a 3 hour return climb). For those who attempt this please note this additional walk to the summit involves rock climbing, boulder hopping and rock scrambling 50% of the time up to the mountain and requires good agility and fitness. Lunch is at the top to ensure best appthereciation of one of the best views in Tasmania. Please note this option is only available when the weather is suitable – the guide will make the call on the day whether this walk proceeds based on safety.
On our way back to Cradle Mountain Lodge we pass the impressive Lesser Mountains of Weindorfers Tower and little horn finally passing the twisted lakes and Lake Hanson. One of the best and iconic walks in Tasmania.
Tonight enjoy a superb dinner featuring local produce and Tasmanian wine in the delightful Highlands Restaurant at Cradle Mountains Lodge.
Note: When there are 8 or more passengers on tour, we have two guides offering a choice of two walking options – our main walk and the Cradle Mountain Summit option. Tours with 7 or fewer people will only have 1 guide and therefore the whole group will need to select the same option. Please feel free to check with our office when booking.
Day One
Launceston - Waldheim to Dove Lake - Hanson's Peak optional
- Walk 9.4km circuit
- 5 hours walking with breaks.
- Medium Grade.
MAIN WALK GRADE: Walk 9.4km circuit. 5 hours walking with breaks. WGood level of fitness required. Medium Grade.
WALK ITINERARY: Meet your friendly Tasmanian guides at 7.30am at the Grand Chancellor, Launceston. From here we drive two hours through the rich fertile farmlands and quaint villages to Cradle Mountain where we drop off our bags at the accommodation and then our adventure begins. Today we will start out through button grass plains and follow Ronny Creek then take a detour to see what the original accommodation was like at Waldheim Chalet, including a short walk through beautiful Alpine Pine trees and myrtles. Lake Lilla track takes us to Dove Lake and our first clear view of the mountain at the iconic Boatshed. We then have the option of circumnavigating Dove Lake or walking to Hansons Peak. During our Dove Lake walk our guides bring the place to life, pointing out the unique local flora and fauna which help make this place so special. You can’t come to Cradle mountain and not do Dove Lake. For those who want more of a challenge, Hanson’s Peak provides some fantastic views of Cradle Mountain and the surrounding valleys.
Day Two
Cradle Mountains Circuit - Option to summit Cradle Mountain.
- Walk 10.2kms (or 12.2km if summiting Cradle Mountain). Total climbing 760m
- 6-7 hours walking with breaks
- Medium Grade for normal walk. Hard Grade: For those wishing to summit Cradle Mountain.
MAIN WALK GRADE: Walk 10.2kms. Walk with inclines total climbing 760m. 6-7 hours walking with breaks. Medium Grade. Good level of fitness required.
OPTIONAL CRADLE MOUNTAIN SUMMIT GRADE: Optional. Total kilometres for the day for those choosing this option is 12.2km. Hard Grade. Excellent level of fitness and agility required as involves rock climbing, boulder hopping and rock scrambling 50%.
WALK ITINERARY: Enjoy breakfast at Cradle Mountain Lodge before setting out on the day’s adventure. We follow the traditional start to the overland track, incorporating Crater Lake and Crater falls, then up Marion’s Peak where on a clear day you can see the Walls of Jerusalem plateau. A billy break at Kitchener’s Hut gives a chance to rest and appreciate Cradle Mountain from its base. The mountain is a remarkable sight being made up of high narrow ridge with dolerite cliffs on both sides.
CRADLE MOUNTAIN SUMMIT OPTION (weather permitting): For the more active members of our group can choose an additional optional walk to the summit of Cradle Mountain to take in magnificent views across the Tasmanian Highlands (a 3 hour return climb). For those who attempt this please note this additional walk to the summit involves rock climbing, boulder hopping and rock scrambling 50% of the time up to the mountain and requires good agility and fitness. Lunch is at the top to ensure best appreciation of one of the best views in Tasmania. Please note this option is only available when the weather is suitable – the guide will make the call on the day whether this walk proceeds based on safety.
On our way back to Cradle Mountain Lodge we pass the impressive Lesser Mountains of Weindorfers Tower and little horn finally passing the twisted lakes and Lake Hanson. One of the best and iconic walks in Tasmania.
Tonight enjoy a superb dinner featuring local produce and Tasmanian wine in the delightful Highlands Restaurant at Cradle Mountains Lodge.
Note: When there are 8 or more passengers on tour, we have two guides offering a choice of two walking options – our main walk and the Cradle Mountain Summit option. Tours with 7 or fewer people will only have 1 guide and therefore the whole group will need to select the same option. Please feel free to check with our office when booking.
Day Three: Dove Canyon walk - Helicopter Flight
Walk 5.6km circuit. Total Climbing 160m
- 2.5 hours walking with breaks.
- Easy-Medium Grade.
This morning after a delicious hot breakfast, we head out or the last of our walks to stunning Dove Canyon. This appealing walk meanders through a wide variety of vegetation, including button grass plains, open forest, myrtle rainforest and the deep valley of the canyon. During this walk, you will visit the rugged gorges and lovely waterfalls that have been eroded by Pencil Pine Creek and Dove River.
Afterwards, we join a sensational helicopter flight over Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain for a stunning view of this alpine region. This will give you a view like no other and allow you to get appreciate the grandeur of Cradle Mountain and the Central Highlands, with up-close views of the dramatic peaks. The remainder of the afternoon is yours at leisure to rest up for a big walk tomorrow, why not book into the sensational Waldheim Spa for a massage. At 4 pm we will enjoy a wine and cheese tasting session at the lodge a great way to sample a range of Tasmania’s best wines. Tonight enjoy dinner with the group in the Highland Restaurant savouring wonderful Tassie fare with wines.
Day Four; Walls of Jerusalem Walk
Walk: 13.2km walk
- 6.5 hours walking with breaks. 500m climb
-
- Hard. Excellent level of fitness required.
This morning we enjoy an early breakfast before we depart the lodge and head east. Today will be a challenging but rewarding experience as we spend the day exploring the magnificent Walls of Jerusalem National Park which is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. This National Park is so remote it is only accessible by foot. With incredible mountain scenery and pristine wilderness, the Central Plateau of Tasmania contains more than a thousand lakes, as well as valleys of pockets of pencil pines surrounded by walls of cliffs and peaks towering above. On today’s walk, we hike towards Herod’s Gate on Lake Salome passing a 1900 Possum Trappers Hut. We’ll discover a landscape of snow gums, pencil pines, alpine ferns and a stunning mountain tarn known such as the Solomons Jewels. From here we walk to Herod’s Gate overlooking Lake Salome to see dramatic views of King David’s Peak before returning. Afterwards, our walk, relax and enjoy the return journey back to Launceston arriving back at 7.30pm. The end of a wonderful journey.
