Mt Rufus Cynthia Bay Walk
- September 16, 2026
A challenging full-day circuit from Cynthia Bay to the summit of Mount Rufus, with wide views over Lake St Clair.
The Shadow Lake Circuit is one of the best half-day bushwalks at Lake St Clair, climbing from the forests near Cynthia Bay into beautiful subalpine country beneath Mount Rufus, Little Hugel and Mount Hugel. Starting near the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre, the 13-kilometre circuit passes through several distinctly different Tasmanian landscapes. Wet forest gradually gives way to highland eucalypt woodland, buttongrass and subalpine vegetation before the track reaches the peaceful waters of Shadow Lake at almost 1,000 metres above sea level. The lake makes a perfect halfway lunch stop, surrounded by pencil pines and mountain scenery, before the circuit descends through the forest towards Lake St Clair. With around four to five hours of walking and no need to climb a major summit, Shadow Lake is an excellent choice for experienced walkers wanting to explore the alpine landscape above Lake St Clair without committing to the longer and more exposed Mount Rufus Circuit.
Location: Lake St Clair, Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, Central Highlands Tasmania
Distance: 13 km circuit
Time: Approximately 4–5 hours
Difficulty: Grade 4
Track Type: Circuit
Elevation Gain: Approximately 320 metres of climbing over the first 6.6 km
Highest Area: Almost 1,000 metres above sea level
Track Surface: Formed bushwalking track with rocks, roots, mud, boardwalk and rough or uneven sections
Best Time: Late spring through autumn, although alpine weather can occur at any time of year
The Shadow Lake Circuit begins from the walking tracks near the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre at Cynthia Bay. The early stages of the walk pass through beautiful wet forest before beginning a gradual climb away from Lake St Clair. As altitude is gained, the vegetation begins to change. The dense lower forest gives way to highland eucalypts before the track enters increasingly open subalpine country. Unlike the Mount Rufus Circuit, there is no long climb to an exposed mountain summit, but this is still a substantial Grade 4 bushwalk. The combination of distance, climbing, rough track and rapidly changing alpine weather means walkers should arrive properly equipped.
One of the highlights of Shadow Lake is the remarkable change in vegetation during the climb. The lower sections pass through wet forest typical of Lake St Clair, where tall trees, ferns, mosses and damp gullies create a cool and sheltered environment. Higher up, the forest gradually becomes more open and highland eucalypts begin to dominate. Eventually the landscape changes again as the track reaches subalpine moorland, where buttongrass, sedges and low-growing alpine vegetation replace the taller forest. This progression from rainforest to subalpine country makes Shadow Lake particularly rewarding for walkers interested in Tasmania’s changing mountain environments.
The highlight of the circuit is Shadow Lake, a beautiful alpine lake tucked beneath the surrounding mountains. At almost 1,000 metres elevation, the lake feels considerably more remote than its relatively short distance from Cynthia Bay might suggest. Pencil pines grow around sections of the shoreline, while buttongrass, sedges and subalpine vegetation cover the surrounding country. On a calm day, the dark waters can reflect the surrounding forest and mountains, creating a wonderfully peaceful place to stop for lunch before continuing around the circuit. There are several suitable places around the lake edge to sit and enjoy the scenery, but walkers should take care to avoid damaging the fragile vegetation.
Shadow Lake lies beneath Little Hugel, with excellent views towards the larger Mount Hugel. The rugged mountain backdrop gives the lake much of its character and provides a taste of the alpine scenery found deeper within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Cloud can move across the surrounding peaks remarkably quickly, completely changing the atmosphere of the lake within minutes. On clear days the mountain views are beautiful; in mist and low cloud, Shadow Lake takes on an entirely different and particularly atmospheric character.
One of the special features of Shadow Lake is the opportunity to see pencil pines growing naturally around the lake. These distinctive Tasmanian conifers are particularly associated with cool, high-altitude environments and are an important component of Tasmania’s alpine and subalpine landscapes. Snow gums, buttongrass and sedges are also common around Shadow Lake, creating a landscape very different from the wet forest encountered at the beginning of the walk. Stay on the formed track wherever possible to help protect this slow-growing and sensitive vegetation.
After leaving Shadow Lake, the circuit continues through subalpine vegetation before gradually descending towards the forests surrounding Lake St Clair. The changing vegetation is again noticeable as taller eucalypts and wetter forest return with decreasing altitude. The circuit eventually rejoins the network of walking tracks leading back towards Cynthia Bay and the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre. Although much of the second half is downhill, don’t underestimate the remaining distance. Tree roots, rocks and muddy sections can make progress slower than expected, particularly after rain.
Shadow Lake is officially classified as a Grade 4 bushwalk.
Walkers should expect a genuine mountain track rather than a maintained recreational pathway.
Conditions can include:
Bushwalking experience, reasonable fitness and suitable clothing and footwear are recommended.
Although Shadow Lake doesn’t involve climbing a major summit, this should still be treated as an alpine bushwalk. The highest parts of the circuit reach almost 1,000 metres and can experience rapidly changing weather. Sunshine at Cynthia Bay doesn’t guarantee good conditions at Shadow Lake. Rain, strong winds, low cloud and even snow can occur in the high country at any time of year. Walkers should carry warm clothing and waterproof outer layers even when the weather appears settled at the start of the walk.
The Shadow Lake Circuit starts from Cynthia Bay at Lake St Clair. From Derwent Bridge on the Lyell Highway (A10), turn onto Lake St Clair Road (C193) and follow the road for approximately 5.5 kilometres to the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre. Parking is available near the visitor centre. Check the track information and current conditions at the visitor centre before setting out, particularly if poor weather or snow is forecast.
Visitor facilities are concentrated at Cynthia Bay.
There are no toilets on the Shadow Lake track.
The area is also designated Fuel Stove Only, and campfires are prohibited.
The changing environments along the circuit provide habitat for a variety of Tasmanian wildlife. Wallabies and pademelons are commonly encountered around the lower Lake St Clair forests, while echidnas and wombats may occasionally be seen. Birdlife changes as the track climbs into more open highland country, so take some time to listen and look around rather than concentrating entirely on reaching the lake.
Shadow Lake contains introduced brown trout and rainbow trout and can be fished by anglers holding the appropriate Tasmanian inland fishing licence. For most bushwalkers, however, the attraction is simply finding a quiet place beside the lake to enjoy lunch and the surrounding mountain scenery.
Shadow Lake is one of several excellent walks beginning from Cynthia Bay and the southern end of Lake St Clair.
The Echo Point Ferry & Walk combines a ferry trip across Lake St Clair with an approximately 11 km walk back to Cynthia Bay through magnificent rainforest along the western shore of the lake. Allow approximately 3–4 hours walking, plus the ferry journey.
The Mount Rufus Circuit is the more challenging alpine option and shares some of the same country as the Shadow Lake walk. The approximately 19 km, 7-hour Grade 4 circuit climbs to the 1,416-metre summit of Mount Rufus, where clear weather provides superb views towards Mount Olympus, Mount Hugel, Frenchmans Cap and the surrounding ranges.
The Frankland Beaches Walk provides a much easier alternative, following the eastern shoreline of Lake St Clair through landscapes shaped by ancient glaciers. The walk is approximately 6 km return, takes around 2 hours and is graded Grade 2.
The Lake St Clair Short Walks begin at Cynthia Bay and explore the forest, rivers and lakeshore close to the visitor centre. Watersmeet, Platypus Bay and the Larmairremener tabelti Aboriginal cultural walk can be combined to create an approximately 4.7 km circuit.
The Overland Track is Tasmania’s legendary multi-day wilderness walk, travelling approximately 65 kilometres through Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park. The track finishes at Lake St Clair, making Cynthia Bay an important starting or finishing point for many walks throughout the national park.
If you’re deciding between the two walks, Shadow Lake is the shorter option and doesn’t require climbing to an exposed mountain summit. Mount Rufus is approximately 19 kilometres and takes around seven hours, while Shadow Lake is approximately 13 kilometres and takes four to five hours. Shadow Lake still provides an excellent taste of the high country, including rainforest, highland eucalypts, buttongrass, pencil pines and subalpine moorland. For experienced walkers with more time and suitable weather, Mount Rufus provides the bigger alpine adventure. For those wanting a shorter but still substantial Grade 4 walk, Shadow Lake is an excellent choice.
The Shadow Lake Circuit is one of the best walks at Lake St Clair for experiencing the transition from Tasmania’s wet forests to its beautiful subalpine landscapes. Over 13 kilometres, the track climbs from the forests near leeawuleena / Lake St Clair through highland eucalypts and buttongrass before arriving at a secluded mountain lake fringed by pencil pines beneath Little Hugel and Mount Hugel. It provides enough distance and climbing to feel like a genuine mountain bushwalk without requiring the longer climb to the summit of Mount Rufus. For walkers with four or five hours available at Lake St Clair, Shadow Lake is a rewarding introduction to the alpine heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
A challenging full-day circuit from Cynthia Bay to the summit of Mount Rufus, with wide views over Lake St Clair.
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.
Combine a scenic ferry ride with a rainforest walk back to Cynthia Bay along the shore of Lake St Clair.
