Virtual Dove Lake Walk for Treadmills

The Dove Lake Circuit follows the shoreline of Dove Lake beneath Cradle Mountain in Tasmania's Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park. This 120-minute walking video takes in one of the most recognisable landscapes in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, with Cradle Mountain rising above the lake throughout much of the walk.

The 6-kilometre circuit has a surprisingly varied surface. There are sections of timber boardwalk and compact track, but also plenty of rocks, roots, uneven ground and steps. The track rises and falls as it follows the lake rather than simply staying level, with a few steeper sections along the way.

The scenery changes as much as the track does. Open buttongrass and alpine vegetation give way to dense rainforest, with myrtle, sassafras, fagus and King Billy pine growing around the wetter sections. Moss covers many of the trees and rocks, and the route passes through the enclosed Ballroom Forest before eventually opening back out towards the lake.

Dove Lake itself is never far away, with the views changing as the track moves around the shoreline. Cradle Mountain provides the main backdrop, although cloud and mist can quickly move in and completely change the look of the landscape. The weather around Cradle Mountain is famously changeable, and some parts of the circuit are quite exposed.

For the treadmill version, the pace is set at around 4 km/h with a 2% incline. This gives the two-hour walk a steady, sustainable effort without trying to recreate every step, climb and descent on the real track. A lower incline would make it easier, while the 2% setting gives the session a little more of a hiking feel.

The official Dove Lake Circuit is around 6 kilometres and generally takes 2–3 hours. It is rated Grade 3, with the uneven surfaces, steps and changing conditions making it more demanding than the distance might suggest.

At 120 minutes, this is a longer virtual hike where the scenery has plenty of time to change. The combination of Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, alpine vegetation, rainforest and boardwalk sections makes it one of the more varied walks in the Cradle Mountain area.

Trail Information

  • Location: Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania, Australia

  • Trail: Dove Lake Circuit

  • Walk Duration: 120 Minutes

  • Terrain: Alpine & Rainforest Trail

  • Suggested Treadmill Incline: 2%

  • Walking Pace: Moderate