Bushwalk Australia

Hi,

i'm travelling alone in and i have 2 free days in my itinerary and i'm hoping to squeeze in some walks. i was browsing online and i was hoping to do the cradle mountain summit walk however, i'm not a very experienced "walker" i'm wondering if there are guides on these walks or if the treks are well marked out. does anyone have other suggestions on what i could do in my 2 free days?

Hi and welcome to the forum abijchen. I could be wrong, but I don't think anyone is doing guided walks to Cradle Summit. For an inexperienced walker, it might be quite challenging. You have to scramble up some very steep sections, and heave yourself over some hefty rocks. That said, I've seen walkers from 8 to 80 complete the walk. If you're feeling uncertain about tackling it, I'd suggest starting with one of the less challenging options (eg Marions Lookout, Crater Lake Circuit or Dove Lake Circuit) and see how you go. Also see if you can find any others going to the summit who'd let you tag along. There are plenty of friendly walkers around in summer.

A good place to get info. is the "60 Great Short Walks" section on the Parks & Wildlife website. A brief description of the Cradle Summit walk can be found here http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=1362 Note there are hot links within that page that give a sketch map and other details. Go back a menu for other walks. If you have an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad you can also get "60 Great Short Walks" as an app (free from the iTunes App Store). Four of the walks in the Cradle area are on this app/brochure.

I would also recommend that you take a map.The "Cradle Mountain Day Walk Map and Notes" is available at the park or from TASMAP online https://www.tasmap.tas.gov.au/do/product/NATPARKDAYWALK/WKCRAD Of course weather is another important factor. Ask for a forecast and other info. when you're at the park, and tailor your walks to fit that. Whatever you do there, I reckon you'll have a great time! Enjoy

cheers

Peter

TasEx do a '3 Day Cradle Experience' http://www.tasmanianexpeditions.com.au/ ... id=283#top

By guides do you mean guide books or actually human guides ? Regarding books, you have the "day walks in Tasmania" ( http://www.john.chapman.name/pub-tday.html ) by John Chapman, probably his best guide book I'd say. The Cradle Mountain summit walk is included. It's quite easy to follow in good to grey weather. Of course under heavy snow (which is still possible in summer) it's a different story but you probably wouldn't feel confident anyway to tackle this. This is an easy track to follow, and physically, it's a medium/hard walk involving scrambling over boulders (nothing dangerous though, but it depends on your level of confidence I guess). So if you're in decent physical shape and able to read signs, you won't have any trouble (maybe don't try this if it's a wet day). If you mastered this walk with no trouble, then maybe the next day you can try the Barn Bluff walk.

whynotwalk wrote:For an inexperienced walker, it might be quite challenging. You have to scramble up some very steep sections, and heave yourself over some hefty rocks.

well, i'm pretty fit myself. so physically, i'm up for any challenge. i'm more worried about getting lost? but thnks everyone, i've checked out the links posted and they have been helpful