Dove Lake Circuit

Starting from the car park at the end of Dove Lake Road, Cradle Mountain-Lake Saint Clair National Park, this walk takes you around Dove Lake. This popular walk follows the perimeter of a glacially carved lake at the foot of Cradle Mountain, with excellent views of the surrounding peaks. Along the way you'll pass Glacier Rock Lookout, Ballroom Forest and the picturesque Dove Lake Boatshed. The trail is relatively flat and straightforward, consisting mainly of boardwalks, with some steep and rocky sections. The clockwise option involves climbing many steps towards the end. Due to its relatively lower altitude, this walk is usually a safer option when it's very windy and rainy at higher altitudes. Be prepared for strong winds, heavy rain, snow and very cold temperatures. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-41.6504879,145.9613554)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Murchison Highway, A10, Waratah-Wynyard. Turn on to Belvoir Road, C132 then drive for 26.1 km Turn right onto Cradle Mountain Road, C132 and drive for another 12.5 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Dove Lake car park at the end of Dove Lake Road, Cradle Mountain-Lake Saint Clair National Park, head along the sealed path towards Dove Lake, passing a blue 'Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Site' sign (to your left). Continue ahead along the sealed path for about 80m until you reach a set of directional signposts, then turn left and head along the gravel trail, following the 'Dove Lake Circuit' directional arrow. Follow the trail ahead for about 90m, passing a small 'Dove Lake Circuit' sign (to your left), then cross the bridge over Dove River and continue the Dove Lake Circuit (clockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 85 m turn left, to head along Dove Lake Circuit.
	After another 85 m (at the intersection of Dove Lake Circuit & Dove Lake Temporary Access) continue straight, to head along Dove Lake Circuit. After another 430 m come to the "Glacier Rock" (40 m on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to Glacier Rock and back. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. At the intersection of Dove Lake Circuit & Glacier Rock Path turn left, to head along Dove Lake Circuit.
	After another 80 m (at the intersection of Dove Lake Circuit & Lake Rodway Track) continue straight, to head along Dove Lake Circuit.
	After another 720 m continue straight, to head along Dove Lake Circuit. After another 1.1 km come to the viewpoint (on your left). After another 345 m pass a seat (on your right). Then pass a seat (on your right).
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Dove Lake Circuit & Lake Wilks Track) continue straight, to head along Dove Lake Circuit. After another 430 m pass a seat (on your right). After another 15 m pass a seat (10 m on your right). After another 245 m pass a seat (on your left). After another 115 m pass a seat (on your right). Then come to the viewpoint (on your left).
	After another 990 m (at the intersection of Dove Lake Circuit & Chain Track) continue straight, to head along Dove Lake Circuit. After another 325 m pass the "Dove Lake Boatshed" (on your right). After another 35 m come to the viewpoint (on your right).
	After another 170 m (at the intersection of Dove Lake Circuit & Cradle Valley Board Walk) turn sharp right, to head along Dove Lake Circuit. After another 270 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
	After another 15 m turn left.
	After another 85 m come to the end.

This little side trip takes you to Glacier Rock and back.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Glacier Rock Path & Dove Lake Circuit Start heading along Glacier Rock Path (a walking track). Find the gate at the start. After another 30 m come to "Glacier Rock".
	Continue another 0 m to find Glacier Rock at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 40 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Dove Lake Circuit

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	5.8 km
Time	2 h to 3 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 5.2 km from the start.

Seat: There are 6 on route, on average they are 820 m apart with the largest gap of 2.9 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	2.9 km	[seat]
Seat	2.9 km	[seat]
Seat	3.5 km	[seat]
Seat	3.5 km	[seat]
Seat	3.8 km	[seat]
Seat	3.9 km	[seat]
Shelter	5.2 km	Dove Lake Boatshed

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cradle Valley Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 22 November
  
  7°C → 21°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching 20 to 25.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High]
  
  Saturday 23 November
  
  10°C → 20°C
  Showers increasing.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 7mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning westerly during the afternoon and evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching 20 to 26.
  
  Sunday 24 November
  
  11°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Winds westerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 13 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 23.
  
  Monday 25 November
  
  8°C → 20°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northwest to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then tending north to northwesterly during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Tuesday 26 November
  
  6°C → 14°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 27 November
  
  3°C → 13°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Thursday 28 November
  
  4°C → 17°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Tasmania Parks & Wildlife service
  When planning and before starting your trip please check Parks Tas closure website for anything that may impact on your plans. It is also worth checking the Parks Facebook page for more timely information.

Weather Forecast

Alerts