Lake St Clair Walks Circuit
- September 15, 2026
Three short, easy walks from Cynthia Bay exploring Aboriginal culture, rivers and platypus habitat at Lake St Clair.
Rising above the western shore of Lake St Clair, Mount Rufus provides one of the finest full-day mountain walks accessible directly from Cynthia Bay. The Mount Rufus Circuit climbs from the forests surrounding Lake St Clair into exposed alpine country before reaching the 1,416-metre summit of Mount Rufus, where clear conditions reveal sweeping views across Lake St Clair and the mountains of Tasmania’s Central Highlands. The circuit then descends through a dramatically changing landscape of alpine vegetation, rocky slopes, buttongrass and rainforest, passing the junction for Shadow Lake before returning to Cynthia Bay. At approximately 19 kilometres, this is a substantial day walk requiring good fitness, suitable equipment and experience with exposed Tasmanian mountain conditions. For prepared walkers, however, it’s one of the most rewarding circuits in the Lake St Clair area.
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Location: Cynthia Bay, Lake St Clair, Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park, Central Highlands Tasmania
Distance: Approximately 19 km circuit
Time: Approximately 7 hours
Summit: Mount Rufus – 1,416 metres
Difficulty: Hard – Grade 4
Track Type: Circuit from Cynthia Bay
Track Surface: Forest track, rocky mountain track, alpine terrain, boardwalk and potentially muddy sections
Best Time: A clear, calm day with a favourable alpine forecast
The Mount Rufus Circuit begins at Cynthia Bay near the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre. The first section follows forest tracks away from the lake before the Mount Rufus route begins climbing steadily through increasingly elevated forest. As you gain height, the vegetation gradually changes and the surrounding mountains begin appearing through gaps in the trees. The climb eventually emerges above the treeline into exposed alpine terrain, where the character of the walk changes dramatically. The route continues across rocky slopes and alpine vegetation towards the summit of Mount Rufus at 1,416 metres. After enjoying the summit views, the circuit descends from the mountain through a mixture of alpine vegetation, buttongrass and forest. The return route eventually meets the Shadow Lake track before continuing through the forest towards Cynthia Bay.
Mount Rufus is a genuine mountain walk rather than simply a long forest circuit. The route gains substantial elevation between Cynthia Bay and the summit, with a sustained climb that becomes increasingly exposed as you approach the alpine zone. The lower forest provides shelter, but once above the treeline walkers are exposed to the full force of Tasmania’s Central Highlands weather. The climbing isn’t technical, but rocky surfaces, uneven ground and the sustained gradient require good fitness and careful footing. Take regular breaks and allow enough time to enjoy the changing landscape rather than treating the summit as the only objective.
At 1,416 metres above sea level, Mount Rufus provides a spectacular viewpoint over the southern end of Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park. The broad mountain panorama is the reward for the long climb from Cynthia Bay. On a clear day, Lake St Clair stretches below, surrounded by the rugged mountains of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The summit also provides excellent views towards nearby peaks and ranges, revealing just how mountainous and remote the country surrounding Lake St Clair really is. Conditions can be dramatically colder and windier here than at Cynthia Bay, so don’t linger on an exposed summit if the weather begins to deteriorate.
One of the great attractions of Mount Rufus is the elevated perspective it provides over Lake St Clair – leeawuleena. Lake St Clair was carved by glaciers and reaches a depth of approximately 167 metres, making it Australia’s deepest lake. From high on Mount Rufus, its long glacial shape becomes particularly obvious as the water extends north between steep mountain ranges. In clear weather, the combination of dark blue water, alpine ridges and distant mountains creates one of the standout views in the Central Highlands.
Above the forest, Mount Rufus enters a very different environment. Low alpine vegetation replaces the taller trees and the landscape becomes increasingly rocky and exposed. This is one of the most scenic parts of the circuit, but it’s also where walkers are most vulnerable to rapid changes in weather. Strong winds, rain, sleet, snow and low cloud are possible at any time of year. Even when Cynthia Bay is relatively mild, conditions on Mount Rufus can be cold enough to require gloves, warm layers and full waterproof clothing.
After leaving the summit, the circuit continues across the mountain before beginning the long descent towards the forests west of Lake St Clair. The return journey provides a different experience from the ascent rather than simply retracing the same scenery. Vegetation gradually becomes taller as elevation decreases, with exposed alpine country giving way to buttongrass, scrub and eventually forest. Some sections can be wet or muddy, particularly after prolonged rain. The descent eventually reaches the track network around Shadow Lake before the final forest walk back towards Cynthia Bay.
The Mount Rufus Circuit intersects with the walking tracks leading towards Shadow Lake. Shadow Lake sits beneath Little Hugel in a beautiful highland setting surrounded by forest and alpine vegetation. Although it may be tempting to add additional kilometres to an already long day, most walkers should treat the Shadow Lake Circuit as a separate walk. The approximately 13 km Shadow Lake Circuit takes around 4–5 hours from Cynthia Bay and makes an excellent alternative when conditions aren’t suitable for climbing Mount Rufus.
The Mount Rufus Circuit crosses a wide variety of Tasmanian mountain terrain.
Expect:
The variety of surfaces and substantial distance make the walk considerably more demanding than the shorter tracks around Cynthia Bay.
The Mount Rufus Circuit is rated Grade 4 and should be treated as a serious full-day mountain walk. The approximately 19-kilometre distance is combined with a substantial climb to 1,416 metres and a lengthy descent. Walkers need good fitness and should be comfortable spending most of the day in remote mountain country. The biggest challenge can be the weather rather than the track itself. Low cloud can obscure landmarks, while strong wind, rain, snow or ice can transform an otherwise straightforward alpine walk into a much more difficult undertaking.
The Mount Rufus Circuit follows a recognised walking route, but alpine navigation skills remain important. Visibility can deteriorate rapidly when cloud moves across the mountain. Carry a topographic map and compass or reliable GPS/offline navigation and know how to use them. Never rely entirely on mobile reception or an online map requiring a data connection.
Weather is the most important consideration when planning the Mount Rufus Circuit. The summit and upper ridges are highly exposed and conditions can change quickly.
Walkers should be prepared for:
These conditions can occur outside winter.
Check the current forecast and park alerts before leaving Cynthia Bay and be prepared to choose a lower-level walk if conditions are unsuitable.
Save Mount Rufus for a clear day. The summit views are one of the great rewards of the circuit, while low cloud makes the exposed upper section both less enjoyable and more difficult to navigate. If the mountain is covered in cloud or strong winds are forecast, consider the lower-level Shadow Lake Circuit or one of the shorter walks around Cynthia Bay instead.
The changing environments encountered on the circuit support a variety of Tasmanian wildlife. Wallabies and pademelons may be encountered in the lower forest, while wombats can sometime
Three short, easy walks from Cynthia Bay exploring Aboriginal culture, rivers and platypus habitat at Lake St Clair.
A quiet lakeside walk from Cynthia Bay to a string of secluded beaches along Lake St Clair's old glacial moraines.
A half-day alpine circuit from Cynthia Bay climbing through rainforest and moorland to Shadow Lake beneath Mount Hugel.
Combine a scenic ferry ride with a rainforest walk back to Cynthia Bay along the shore of Lake St Clair.
