Booking
A booking or permit may be required in the applicable season; confirm on the official page.
All hikes
Multi-day alpine wilderness track
Overland Track
A six-day highland trek from Cradle Mountain toward Lake St Clair, subject to park booking and conditions.
Trail grade
Hard — confirm current Parks & Wildlife guidance
Trail format
6 days
Metric disclosure
Verified facts only
Total trail distance
Confirm route conditions before departure.
Typical walking time
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Elevation gain
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Booking, passes & access
Confirm official information first
Park pass
Confirm current national-park pass requirements before travel.
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead and leaving Lake St Clair are separate transport arrangements; confirm transfers before departure.
Trail stages / options
Day-by-day trail plan
Day 1
Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley Hut
Begin near Cradle Mountain, pass Crater Lake and treat any summit side trip as optional.
Confirm route conditions before departure.
Day 2
Waterfall Valley to Windermere Hut
Cross button-grass plains and waterfalls through sub-alpine moorland.
Confirm route conditions before departure.
Day 3
Windermere to Pelion Hut
Traverse rainforest below Mount Pelion East; any summit side trip remains optional.
Confirm route conditions before departure.
Day 4
Pelion to Kia Ora Hut
Pass through Pelion Gap and descend into tall eucalyptus forest, with Hartnett Falls as a possible stop.
Confirm route conditions before departure.
Day 5
Kia Ora to Windy Ridge Hut
Walk through myrtle rainforest; the D'Alton and Fergusson Falls side trip is optional.
Confirm route conditions before departure.
Day 6
Windy Ridge to Lake St Clair
Descend to Lake St Clair and confirm any ferry or lakeside option with current operators.
Confirm route conditions before departure.
Trail-area places
Explore canonical place pages
Gear & safety
Full wet-weather equipment · Warm alpine layers · Food and equipment for the full walk
Rapidly changing alpine weather requires self-sufficiency and current official advice. Confirm route conditions before departure.