MantaManta
Start a trip
HikesAustraliaOverland Track

Overland Track

Tasmania’s classic - Cradle Mountain, alpine tarns, Mt Ossa (state high point) and Lake St Clair

Difficulty 4/5 · HardMultidayPoint-to-pointMulti-day (huts/camp)
Distance
~65 km point-to-point
Max elevation
~1,250 m
Elevation gain
~2,500 m
Duration
6 days
iconicmultidayalpinebooked seasonhut and tent
Plan this hike
A breathtaking landscape of Bishop and Clerk on Maria Island, Tasmania.

The route

The line through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair, Tasmania, Australia - waypoints, elevation and the day-by-day shape of the walk.

Elevation profile~1,250 m (Cradle plateau; Ossa side trip 1,617 m)
0 km65 km

Waypoints

  1. 1
    Ronny Creek (Cradle)Trailhead
    ~900 m0 km

    North start; booked N-S

  2. 2
    Waterfall Valley HutHut
    ~1,050 m10 km~5 h

    Night 1; Cradle summit side trip

  3. 3
    Pelion HutHut
    ~850 m35 km~5 h

    Mt Ossa side trip base

  4. 4
    Kia Ora HutHut
    ~1,000 m45 km~4 h

    Waterfalls nearby

  5. 5
    Narcissus Hut / Lake St ClairHut
    ~740 m65 km~6 h

    Ferry or walk out

Season & conditions

Best season

Oct-May (booked season)

Weather risks

Cold, wet, wind and snow possible year-round; notorious mud

Booked one-direction (N-S) Oct-May; snow and mud possible any month. Confirm.

On the trail

Terrain & surface

Alpine moorland, buttongrass, rainforest, boardwalk and duckboard

Technical & exposure

Non-technical walking/hiking; confirm any exposed or scrambly sections locally

Navigation & waymarking

Marked/waymarked route; navigation generally straightforward - carry a map and confirm locally

Accessibility & group fit

Suitable for reasonably fit hikers; not wheelchair accessible - confirm specifics

Crowds & solitude

A popular, well-known route - busier in peak season

Variants & turnaround

Side trips to Mt Ossa and waterfalls; ferry or walk the final Lake St Clair leg

Getting there & staying

Trailhead access

Ronny Creek (Cradle Mountain) to Lake St Clair

Shuttle & transport

Dove Lake/Cradle shuttle in; Lake St Clair ferry or walk out

Huts, camping & refuges

Unstaffed public huts at each stage (first-come) plus tent platforms; carry a tent

Gear, water & connectivity

Layered outdoor kit, sturdy footwear, sun/rain protection, ample water; patchy mobile coverage - carry a map/PLB where remote

Facilities

Services in Cradle Mountain / Launceston; limited or none on the trail

Guide & crew

Not required; self-guided

Permits & safety

A Parks pass plus the Overland Track booking/fee are required in the Oct-May season (one-direction, daily quota). Confirm.

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Hazards

Cold/wet exposure, mud, river levels, remoteness

Emergency exits & rescue

Retrace the route to exit; dial local emergency services; carry a means of calling for help where remote

This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand trail report. Coordinates are approximate.

Also in Australia

Dive sitesin Australia
Surf spotsin Australia
Wind sportsin Australia
Walk Overland Track with your group
Manta plans the route, the huts and the easy alternatives so a mixed crew all get a great day.
Plan this hike