Trail Fast Facts

Shadow Lake Circuit is a 13.2km, grade 3 hike in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania. This hike typically takes 5 hours to complete.

Length: 13.2km

Duration: 5 hrs

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Style: Circuit

Start: Lake St Clair Visitors Centre

End: Lake St Clair Visitors Centre

Location: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

State: Tasmania

Nearby town: Derwent Bridge

From state capital: 180km

Latitude: -42.116756

Longitude: 146.172951

Overview

Map and GPX file

Directions

Photos

Similar Trails

Weather

Reviews

Hike Overview

From Lake St Clair, this walk will take you through rainforest, sub-alpine moorland and highland eucalypt forest on this circuit walk via Shadow Lake. Clear weather allows splendid views of Mount Hugel.

Highlights

Near Shadow Lake the vegetation changes to sub-alpine forest. Here snow gums, buttongrass and sedges flourish. Pencil pines fringe the lake edge. The lake contains the introduced brown and rainbow trout. These can be fished if you have a licence. Picnic spots can be found around the lake edge but please remember that campfires are not permitted.

Track Grade

Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.

Tips

Park entry fees apply. (Self registration park entrance.)

The track climbs approximately 270m over a distance of 6.6km.

Visitor centre, restaurant and accommodation.

Supervise children , tracks subject to severe weather conditions all year round, weather may change quickly, tracks are difficult to navigate when covered in snow and may be impassable.

No pets, firearms or bicycles.

Trail features

Map and GPX file

Shadow Lake Circuit Hike (13.2km)

Total distance: 13168 m
Max elevation: 1070 m
Min elevation: 755 m
Total climbing: 420 m
Total descent: -420 m

Download

For more information about this hiking trail please visit Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania

Trailhead

Getting there

Shadow Lake Circuit Hike (13.2km)

Road C193 to Lake St Clair from the Lyell Highway (A10)

Get directions

Photo gallery

Upload your photos

If you’ve got some great shots from this hike, I’d love to see them! Please upload your .jpg files here to help inspire other hikers and show off the beauty of the trail.

A quick note: Uploading your photos doesn’t mean you lose ownership. You’ll be credited for any photos you share, and you can request to have them removed at any time.

About the region

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania (Australia), 165 kilometres northwest of Hobart. The park contains many walking trails, and is where hikes along the well-known Overland Track usually begin. Major features are Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff in the northern end, Mount Pelion East, Mount Pelion West, Mount Oakleigh and Mount Ossa in the middle and Lake St Clair in the southern end of the park. The park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

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Similar trails nearby

Looking for things to do in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park or nearby? Try these similar hikes or bushwalks.

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Adventure with Confidence: Register Your Trip Plans

Before you hit the trail, take a moment to fill out our trip intentions form. It’s a simple way to share important details about your hike with family or friends. If things don’t go as planned and you’re not back on time, they can easily notify emergency services, helping to ensure a quick response and reducing worry. Enjoy your outdoor adventure knowing that you’ve taken a smart step for your safety.

Reviews

Shadow Lake Circuit Hike (13.2km)

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Gear to consider

What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.

Explore Safe

While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.

Weather

Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Trail Fast Facts