Shadow Lake Circuit

Starting behind the Visitor Centre at the end of Lake St Clair Road, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, this walk takes you on a circuit past Shadow Lake via the Watersmeet, Shadow Lake, Shadow Lake Link and Mount Rufus tracks. The Shadow Lake Circuit is a fascinating 12km walk that weaves its way through three strikingly different forest types. Starting in wet forest beside Lake St Clair, the track climbs through eucalypt woodland to subalpine moorland and buttongrass near the lake. Situated below Mount Hugel, Shadow Lake is a delightful alpine lake amidst impressive mountains that provides a picturesque spot to stop and explore. You can take a side trip to Forgotten Lake and Little Hugel, or continue the circuit back to Lake St Clair. At nearly 1000m altitude, the highest parts of this walk are subject to severe weather conditions. Check the forecast at the visitor centre before leaving. Picnic spots can be found around the lake edge, but campfires are not permitted. 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	(-42.1164503,146.1744949)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Lyell Highway, A10, Derwent Bridge. Turn on to Lake St Clair Road, C193 then drive for 5 km Turn left and drive for another 320 m

Track Notes

Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the car park at the end of Lake St Claire Road (near the visitor centre), head towards the said visitor centre. Cross the road via the crosswalk and head along the ramp. Then head down the small set of steps and keep right. When you come to the picnic tables outside (to your left), turn left and head along the concrete path. Keep left at the intersection shortly after, following the "All walking tracks" sign. About 130 metres later, keep right at the Y intersection. After another 400 metres, keep right at the 3-way intersection (following the signage for Watersmeet) to continue along Shadow Lake Circuit (counterclockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 45 m pass the "Visitor Centre" (on your left). This sign is wheelchair accessible. W:www.lakestclairpark.com.au T:+61 3 6289 1137 After another 8 m pass the toilet (9 m on your right). After another 25 m pass the restaurant (10 m on your right).
	Turn left. After another 15 m continue straight. After another 40 m pass the picnic table (20 m on your right).
	After another 80 m continue straight, to head along Watersmeet Track. After another 145 m continue straight, to head along Watersmeet Track. After another 270 m pass the sign.
	At the intersection of Watersmeet Track & Mount Rufus Circuit continue straight, to head along Watersmeet Track. After another 100 m (at the intersection of Watersmeet Track & Fergie's Paddock Track) continue straight, to head along Watersmeet Track.
	After another 740 m (at the intersection of Shadow Lake Circuit & Watersmeet Track) turn left, to head along Shadow Lake Circuit (a walking track).
	After another 140 m (at the intersection of Shadow Lake Circuit & Larmairremener tableti) turn right, to head along Shadow Lake Circuit. Then cross the bridge (about 7 m long)
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to the shore of Forgotten Lake. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 4.1 km (at the intersection of Shadow Lake Circuit & Shadow Lake to Forgotten Lake) continue straight, to head along Shadow Lake Circuit. After another 125 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
	After another 370 m (at the intersection of Shadow Lake Link Track & Mount Rufus Circuit) turn left, to head along Shadow Lake Link Track. After another 335 m cross the bridge (about 25 m long)
	After another 2.1 km (at the intersection of Mount Rufus Circuit & Shadow Lake Link Track) turn left, to head along Mount Rufus Circuit.
	After another 3.8 km (at the intersection of Mount Rufus Circuit & Larmairremener tableti) continue straight, to head along Mount Rufus Circuit.
	After another 235 m (at the intersection of Watersmeet Track & Mount Rufus Circuit) veer right, to head along Watersmeet Track (a vehicle track). After another 265 m continue straight, to head along Watersmeet Track. After another 145 m continue straight.
	After another 135 m turn right.
	After another 70 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to the shore of Forgotten Lake.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Shadow Lake to Forgotten Lake & Shadow Lake Circuit Start heading along Shadow Lake to Forgotten Lake (a walking track). After 500 m come to the camp site (25 m on your right). After another 80 m cross the bridge (about 70 m long)
	After another 800 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 1.4 km to the main route.

Terrain

Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Shadow Lake Circuit

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	13.3 km
Time	4 h to 5 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
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

Camp site: There is one 5.7 km (plus an extra 500 m along side route) from the start.

Toilet: There is one 55 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	55 m	[toilet]
Camp site	5.7 km + 500 m	[camp site]

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Alerts and Closures