Unlike the popular Overland Track, Walls of Jerusalem is a lot more wild with less facilities. However, it definitely isn’t short on beauty.

It’s located in Tasmania’s central highlands and boasts some spectacular views, rocky peaks, and kilometres of well-laid-out trail. I spent three days in the area, which was enough to see all the major sights, but I could have spent weeks more exploring off-trail.

If you’re looking to explore Tasmania’s wilderness on a multi-day bushwalk, a trip to the Walls of Jerusalem is a great option.

In this guide, I’ve got everything you need to know to visit this gorgeous destination including:

• Walls of Jerusalem basics including best time to go, weather, and fees
• Maps of Walls of Jerusalem showing all the trails and campgrounds
• How to get to to the car park from Devonport, Launceston, and Hobart
• Walls of Jerusalem walk notes including track descriptions, distances, elevation gain, difficulty, and time for each section
• Info on camping including facilities
• Day walks in the park (the best way to get good views)

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Walls of Jerusalem National Park Basics

Overview: Walls of Jerusalem National Park is located in Tasmania’s central highlands near Cradle Mountain National Park. It’s a hike-in only wilderness park made of up rocky peaks and tiny crystal blue lakes.

While you can do a day walk into the area, most hikers opt to camp for a night or two. That way they will have enough time to tackle some of the nearby peaks. I made a short video that gives you a great overview.

What’s With the Name? The park takes its name from two prominent cliff bands that early Europeans thought looked like the walls of Jerusalem. In later years, subsequent bushwalkers including local legend Reg Hall gave other geographic features in the area Biblical names.

Distance: At least 20km return. More if you add on peaks.

Elevation Gain: At least 700m. More if you add on peaks.

Difficulty: If you stick to the main Walls of Jerusalem track, the hike is of moderate difficulty. If you venture off onto any of the other unmarked tracks or off-trail areas, the difficulty jumps up to challenging.

Time: 1-4 days

Best Time To Go: Tasmania’s highlands are usually snow-free between November and March. However, the best weather is in December, January, and February.

Weather: Walls of Jerusalem National Park is high up in Tasmania’s central highlands. It can be cold, wet, and windy up there at any time of year. We experienced 1C temperatures at night and 50km/h winds in early January! Check out my list of the best weather apps for hikers to get the best forecast.

Cost: You must have a Tasmania National Parks pass to enter the park, but there are no other fees. You can buy one online, at visitor centres, or at Service Tasmania. Daily passes are expensive – the best deal is the two month holiday pass.

Registration: You must register your walk on the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services website.

What to Bring: Everything you need to be self-sufficient. Use my simple backpacking checklist to get your gear prepped for the hike.

Rules: This is a fuel stove only zone so campfires are prohibited. No dogs or drones.

Animals: Possums and other wildlife are bold in this park. Keep your food inside a sealed dry bag to minimize smells. We also hung our food between two trees on a thin cord to keep possums from getting at it.

Plants: The region is also home to some unique plants including a pencil pine forest near Dixon’s Kingdom. In late December and early January the scoparia bushes bloom. I was lucky enough to catch the tail end of the flowers. Keep an eye out for the remarkable cushion plants in the central walls and near Dixon’s Kingdom. These bright green oddities can grow up to 3m across and look like giant pin cushions. Be careful not to step on them though, as they are very fragile.

Further Resources: The best guide book to the area is Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair, and Walls of Jerusalem National Parks by John Chapman, Monica Chapman, and John Siseman. You can find it at bookshops in Tasmania.

Walls of Jerusalem Maps

If you want a paper map, you can pick one up from Service Tasmania – look for TASMAP 1:25,000 Walls of Jerusalem National Park Map.

I used the Gaia GPS app on my hike. It was helpful to know where I was on the trail to figure out how much higher I had to climb and where the next campsite or landmark was. All Trails+ is also great.

I also made you a bunch of trail maps using Gaia GPS. Click through to zoom in and explore. You can also save it to your routes in Gaia GPS or export the gpx file.

Getting to Walls of Jerusalem National Park

There is no public transport to Walls of Jerusalem National Park so you will need to drive yourself or hire a shuttle.

Cradle Mountain Coaches offers shuttles from Hobart, Devonport, and Launceston. I used them to get to the Overland Track and they were easy to deal with.

On this trip, we drove ourselves to the Walls of Jerusalem trailhead. It’s a long drive, but it’s easy. It’s entirely on sealed (paved) roads except for the last few kilometres. However, even the gravel portions are fine for all cars.

There is no mobile phone reception on the last portion of the drive, so make sure you bring a map or a copy of the driving directions below so you don’t get lost.

Driving from Devonport

It takes about 1.5 hours to drive to the car park from Devonport.

Take Highway B19 north from Devonport. In Spreyton, turn right onto the B14 and follow it to Sheffield. From Sheffield, turn right onto the C136 to Gowrie Park. Continue on the C136 past Mount Roland, then turn left onto the C138. Turn right onto the C171, which becomes gravel part way along. 

Continue south to Lake Rowallan, then along the lakeshore to the bridge over the Fish River. Immediately after the bridge, turn left and follow the road uphill for 1km to the car park. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Driving from Launceston

It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive from Launceston to the car park.

Follow Highway 1 west to Deloraine. From there continue on the B12 west through Mole Creek. Turn left onto the C138, then left again onto the C171, which turns to gravel part way along.

Continue south to Lake Rowallan, then along the lakeshore to the bridge over the Fish River. Immediately after the bridge, turn left and follow the road uphill for 1km to the car park. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Driving from Hobart

Head north on Highway 1 to Deloraine. Then follow the directions from Launceston above. Here are Google Maps driving directions. It takes about 3 hours and 34 minutes to get to the car park from Hobart.

Walls of Jerusalem Walk Notes

Most people will walk into Walls of Jerusalem from the main car park and camp at either Wild Dog Creek or Dixon’s Kingdom on their first night. Below I’ve got kilometre-by-kilometre walk notes for that section of the park. Scroll down for info on the Walls of Jerusalem/Lake Adelaide Circuit as well as day walks from Dixon’s Kingdom.

Car Park to Trappers Hut

Distance: 2.5km

Elevation Gain: 380m

Time: 1-1.5 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

The first section of the track to Walls of Jerusalem is the hardest part of the hike. It gains 380m in just 2.5km. The steep hill, combined with a heavy backpack, can be quite a challenge. Thankfully, it’s over quickly. Pack lots of water as this section is usually dry.

There’s an info kiosk at the car park with a map. It also houses the walkers’ logbook. Make sure you sign-in at the start of your hike and sign-out at the end. There’s also a toilet here. It’s the last one until Wild Dog Creek, so be sure to use it. If you drove yourself to the trailhead, make sure to leave your national parks pass on the dashboard of your car.

The start of the walk to Walls of Jerusalem actually begins with a boot cleaning station. There are brushes to scrub your boots, plus a cool pump-operated disinfectant station. Tasmania’s wilderness is under threat from invasive diseases and plants, so cleaning your boots is super important.

After the boot cleaning station, the trail starts to climb uphill. In the first kilometre you’ll pass by an old info kiosk that used to hold the walkers’ logbook before the new car park kiosk was built.

You’ll also formally enter Walls of Jerusalem National Park. The park boundary is marked with a big blue sign. There are a few small streams in this section that may be running in spring and early summer but expect them to be fully dry by late summer.

The next 1.5km of the trail is fairly unremarkable. The path continues to climb through the forest, although there are a few flatter sections where you can catch your breath a bit. The final bit up to Trappers Hut is quite steep.

Pause for a snack at Trappers Hut. Be sure to go inside to read the info panels about this historic building. While it used to be a cozy home for fur trappers, the hut is now a historic structure so you aren’t allowed to sleep in it. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to either as it’s full of holes!

Trapper’s Hut to Wild Dog Creek

Distance: 4.5km

Elevation Gain: 110m

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Unfortunately, the climbing isn’t over after Trapper’s Hut. A few minutes past the hut, you’ll arrive at a junction. The track to the right leads to Lake Adelaide while the main Walls of Jerusalem path heads left. Turn left and continue uphill. About 1km and 100m of elevation gain after leaving the hut, the grade eases up.

From here, the track undulates up and down over a rocky plateau. The track underfoot is rarely smooth with lots of rocks and roots, so watch your step. You’ll pass lots of small tarns sprinkled throughout.

These are known as Solomon’s Jewels. About 2.5km from Trapper’s Hut the track dips down next to the largest lake. It’s a great spot for a break if you need one.

After leaving the lakeshore, the track continues along the plateau. Just past the 4km mark, you’ll catch sight of the Wild Dog Creek campsite across the valley and King David’s Peak up ahead. Descend a small hill into the flat-bottomed creek valley. The campsite is just uphill to the right of the track. The campsites are arranged along three side trails. The toilet is on the highest trail if you need to use it.

Wild Dog Creek to Dixon’s Kingdom

Distance: 4km

Elevation Gain: 140m

Time: 1.25 hours

Difficulty: Easy

From Wild Dog Creek, continue up the hill for another half kilometre and 50 m higher to a pass known as Herod’s Gate. This is where you will enter the Walls of Jerusalem proper and start to enjoy the most spectacular scenery in the park.

The sheer walls of King David’s Peak rise up to your right and the valley stretches out in front of you. The walk through the valley is mostly on smooth boardwalk that makes for fast and easy travel.

Past Herod’s Gate the track curves around the walls, passing above Lake Salome. Next, it traverses across the valley towards a stand of trees. Just past the trees, a boardwalk path goes left. It’s a short 100m walk to the Pool of Bethesda, a beautiful little tarn that makes a great snack spot.

Back on the main track, the boardwalk swings to the right and begins a gentle climb up to another pass. This one is called Damascus Gate. There are great views from here. At the top of the pass, you’ll reach a 4-way junction.

Your path to Dixon’s Kingdom goes straight. The track to the left leads to the summit of the Temple while the one to the right goes to Solomon’s Throne and King David Peak.

Descend from Damascus Gate on a boardwalk and stone path that is usually as smooth as a sidewalk. The route curls around the side of the Temple and descends 70m into the forest to reach the hut and camping area at Dixon’s Kingdom.

Walls of Jerusalem Circuit/Lake Adelaide Route

Distance: 11.2 km

Elevation Gain: 215 m

Time: 4 to 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

The route from the Walls of Jerusalem car park to Dixon’s Kingdom is definitely the most popular way to hike in Tasmania’s Walls of Jerusalem National Park. However, making a circuit via Lake Adelaide is also a good option.

This route used to be unmaintained and require some off-trail travel, but in 2022, Tasmania Parks and Wilderness improved it and installed a permanent campground at Lake Adelaide. I haven’t hiked this route since I visited before the upgrades.

To complete the loop, follow the usual route from the car park to Dixon’s Kingdom, described above. Then, head south to Lake Ball. Pass the historic Lake Ball hut on the shores of the lake, and continue west to Lake Adelaide and the nearby Lake Adelaide campground.

From there, the trail heads north through a grassy valley before rejoining the main trail just south of Trapper’s Hut.

Camping in Walls of Jerusalem National Park

There are three established camping areas in Walls of Jerusalem National Park with toilets: Wild Dog Creek, Dixon’s Kingdom, and Lake Adelaide. Wilderness camping outside of designated sites is now officially discouraged to protect the fragile environment.

Please remember to register with Parks and pay National Parks fees if you camp in the park.

Wild Dog Creek Camping Area

This campsite is located 7 km from the carpark on a hillside above Wild Dog Creek.

The Parks and Wildlife Service have done a lot of work to this site: there is a toilet and 19 raised tent platforms (some of which are large enough for two tents). There are more platforms on the third level of the site, but they are reserved for commercial guided groups.

There are water taps throughout the campground, piped in from Wild Dog Creek. The water is untreated, so filter or purify it before drinking.

Wild Dog Creek is a logical base camp for groups that find the ascent into the park exhausting. It’s an easy walk to Herod’s Gate, the core Walls area, and Damascus Gate. However, it’s a longer hike to Mount Jerusalem from here.

On my hike, we found Wild Dog Creek to be too short of a walk from the car park so we kept going to Dixon’s Kingdom.

Dixon’s Kingdom Camping Area

Dixon’s Kingdom is the name for a historic hut set in a grassy valley 10km from the car park. It used to be the summer home of the Dixon family in the 30s and 40s when they grazed cattle here. These days the hut is in pretty rough shape and should only be used in an emergency. Be sure to go inside the hut to check out the info board about the area’s history.

In the last few years Parks has created a new tenting area to the southwest of the hut. On my visit, we camped at the old camping area which was northeast of the hut, so that’s what’s in the photo below. But now you must camp at the new camping area.

the new camping area has room for 16 tents on raised platforms. It also has a toilet. There are two rain water tanks or you can get water from Dixon’s Creek. However, all water is untreated, so filter or purify it before use.

Lake Adelaide Camping Area

I haven’t visited this camp site, but I’ve heard that Tasmania Parks has recently turned what was an informal camping area into a designated campground.

It has a toilet but no raised tent platforms. Instead, there space on the grass to pitch your tent. There is a rain water tank as well, but of course filter or purify the water before drinking. This is a good campground to use if you are doing the Circuit, but it’s not convenient for any of the day walks.

Day Walks in Walls of Jerusalem National Park

While you can walk into the Walls of Jerusalem in one long day, most hikers plan to stay overnight to tackle one of the excellent day walks in the area. There are four peaks to climb. Here’s everything you need to know about each one.

Solomon’s Throne

Starts from: Damascus Gate

Distance: 1km return

Elevation Gain: 120m

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 40 minutes return

This short but spectacular hike gets you to some of the best views in Walls of Jerusalem. It’s a steep climb, but the Parks Service has done an amazing job of arranging the jumble of rocks into stairs that are straightforward to ascend.

From the saddle at Damascus Gate head southwest towards the steep rock face of Solomon’s Throne. The first few meters are on boardwalk before the track changes to stone stairs to ascend a scree slope.

The track turns left to traverse under the rock face before ascending a steep and rocky cleft on more stone stairs. You’ll pop out of the shaded gully onto the summit plateau which is startlingly flat after the steep ascend you just made.

Follow markers northwest for a few minutes to reach the summit at 1446m and its incredible viewpoint.

King Davids Peak

Starts from: Damascus Gate

Distance: 4km return

Elevation Gain: 160m

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Time: 2.5 hours return

King Davids Peak is the most prominent mountain in the core Walls of Jerusalem area. Its pointed peak is the first thing you see from Wild Dog Creek.

The sheer walls of this peak and the ridge it shares with Solomon’s Throne are the defining features of the area. So of course, lots of hikers want to climb it. I didn’t have time on my trip, but it looks worthwhile.

To hike to King David’s Peak, follow the directions to Solomon’s Throne, above. (There used to be other trails to reach the peak, but they have all been closed for ecological reasons.)

From Solomon’s Throne continue along the ridge crest. There’s no formally marked trail so you will need to find your own route through the boulders and scrub. However, other walks told us that there is a faint trail to follow most of the way to the summit.

The Temple

Starts from: Damascus Gate

Distance: 1km return

Elevation Gain: 110m

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 40 minutes return

From Damascus Gate, the Temple looks like an indistinct pile of rocks. Compared to the rock walls of Solomon’s Throne is pretty unimpressive. In fact, I was so unimpressed I almost didn’t climb it. But OMG I’m so glad I did.

It turns out that the whole point of climbing the Temple is the amazing view you get from the top. It’s by far the best place in Walls of Jerusalem to get a photo of the actual walls! You can see all the eastern wall from Solomon’s Throne all the way to King David’s Peak.

To get to the top, follow the track northeast from the saddle at Damascus Gate. At times it looks like a master stonemason has been at work here, painstakingly moving the rocks into place to create a beautiful staircase through the scree and rubble.

The track winds its way up to the summit. Along the way, you’ll crest a false summit. The photos of the central walls area are actually better from here. But continue onward for five more minutes to tag the peak, just to say you did.

Mount Jerusalem

Starts from: Dixon’s Kingdom

Distance: 5 km return

Elevation Gain: 200 m

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 1.5 hours return

The hike to Mount Jerusalem is longer and has more elevation gain than others in the park, but it’s actually quite easy thanks to the moderate grade of the climb. From the top you get a unique view to the southeast  of Tasmania’s Central Plateau spotted with what looks like a million tiny lakes. It’s a great contrast to the towering peaks of Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

From Dixon’s Kingdom, follow the track as it heads north and slightly uphill to a saddle called Jaffa Gate. From there, the track begins to climb up onto a ridge and passes several small tarns. After a short descent, the trail climbs a bit more steeply onto the shoulder of the peak.

Follow the track up the long summit ridge before finally reaching a cairn at the peak. Be sure to explore the summit area as there are great vantage points in all directions.

Final Thoughts

So there’s everything you need to plan your trip to Walls of Jerusalem, Tasmania. I really enjoyed my trip to this area. I had thought it would be a bit like the Cradle Mountain National Park since they are geographically close to each other.

But I was pleasantly surprised to find that Walls of Jerusalem has a beauty of its own thanks to the towering rock walls. And for me, the wilderness feel of the area was awesome compared to the slightly more luxurious experience you get with the huts on the Overland Track. Honestly, I’m glad I have now done both. Just don’t ask me to pick a favourite!!

Do you have questions about hiking in Walls of Jerusalem National Park? Ask me in the comments as I’m always happy to help.

MORE TASMANIA POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• Best Places to See Wildlife in Tasmania
• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Maria Island, Tasmania
• 22 Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula Near Port Arthur
• How to Spend the Weekend in Hobart, Tasmania: 2-day Itinerary
• 40+ Things to do in Devonport and Tasmania’s North West
• The Ultimate Guide to the Tarkine Drive in Tasmania, Australia
• The Best Things to Do on Bruny Island, Tasmania
• The Best Things to do in Strahan and Tasmania’s West Coast

The post Hiking in Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Tasmania appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I ended up taking a private charter bus from Devonport, which ended up being really expensive. I definitely could have saved some money by doing some research on Overland Track transport options ahead of time and booking well in advance.

So don’t make the same mistake I did! This complete guide on how to get to the Overland Track includes:

• Where does the Overland Track start? Where is Ronny Creek in Cradle Mountain National Park?
• Where does the Overland Track finish? Where is Cynthia Bay in Lake St. Clair National Park?
• Public transport to the Overland Track: Is it available?
• Private shuttle buses to the Overland Track: How much do buses cost? Where do they leave from?
• Self-drive to the Overland Track: Driving directions and car shuffles
• Lake St Clair ferry: How to book
• Where to stay near the Overland Track: Options for before and after your trip

Want more info about the Overland Track? Check out my Overland Track guides:

• Overland Track Basics: everything you need to know including how to book, what the weather is like, when to go, and how to stay safe.
• Section-by-section overview: What to expect on each leg of the bushwalk
• Overland Track itineraries: The standard 6-day itinerary plus lots more options
• Side trips from the Overland Track: 10 hikes to peaks, lakes, and waterfalls
• Overland Track huts and campgrounds: what to expect at each site
• Overland Track packing list: everything you need to bring

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support! -Taryn

Overland Transport Map

If you haven’t been to Tasmania, it might be tough to picture where the Overland Track in relation to Hobart and Launceston. There are also lots of confusing small highways in the Tasmanian highlands.

I made a custom Google Map for you that shows all the locations I mention in this post. Click through to toggle layers on and off to show the various routes.

Where Does the Overland Track Start?

The Overland Track starts at Ronny Creek inside Cradle Mountain National Park. Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre is a 1.5 hour drive from Devonport or a 2.5 hour drive from Launceston.

Cradle Mountain National Park is a remote mountain park that is not close to any cities or towns. There are hotels and lodges nearby, some with dining options, but there are no shops and no mobile phone reception. The visitor centre has a cafe and does sell souvenirs and some hiking supplies.

Once you get to Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, you will need to check in with the rangers, then take a free park shuttle bus 7km to Ronny Creek to start the track. In the summer, the bus leaves very often (about every 10-15 minutes), but at other times of year it runs less often.

Where Does the Overland Track Finish?

The Overland Track finishes at Cynthia Bay on Lake St Clair next to the Lake St Clair Lodge. Lake St Clair is in the central highlands of Tasmania. It’s 2.5 hours from Devonport, 2.5 hours from Launceston, and 2.5 hours from Hobart.

Lake St Clair is in a remote area and is not close to any cities or towns. The only businesses are the Lake St Clair Lodge next to the end of the track and the pub at the Derwent Bridge Hotel, 5km away.

The Lake St Clair Lodge has a cafe called the Hungry Wombat that is popular with hungry hikers finishing the Overland Track.

Public Transport to the Overland Track

As of 2023, there is no public transport to the Overland Track.

Until 2019, Tassielink had bus service to Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, but that service is discontinued. You may find older info online about people taking a public bus to the Overland Track. Unfortunately that is no longer possible.

Private Shuttle Buses to the Overland Track

Many private companies offer bus or van service to and from the Overland Track. Most of the companies leave from Hobart or Launceston but you can get buses from Devonport too.

Service is more frequent in the summer. Cradle Mountain National Park maintains a list of all companies offering  transport to the Overland Track. 

Some companies have scheduled services during the summer months. All the companies offer on-demand charter service, but it can be much more expensive than scheduled service.

Most bus companies require a minimum number of passengers to make the trip, but if you book well in advance, they will try to match you up with other groups to fill the bus.

If they don’t have the minimum number of passengers booked on the day you want to go, you can pay the fare for the minimum number in order to make the trip to go ahead. On my trip we were the only walkers leaving for Devonport so we had to pay the minimum charge for 3 passengers, even though there were only 2 of us 🙁 

Launceston is the most popular place to get a bus, which makes it the least expensive since it is the easiest to fill a bus.

For prices and schedules, contact the transport companies for a quote. In general, prices start at $87.50/person/each way and go up from there. If I had known how much extra my trip from Devonport was going to cost, I might have chosen to travel to Launceston and get a bus from there.

Private bus companies can also sell you stove fuel and other supplies if you arrange it ahead of time.

Self-Drive to the Overland Track

If your group has two vehicles, you can do a car shuffle, leaving one vehicle at each end of the Overland Track. However, driving between Lake St Clair and Cradle Mountain takes about 3 hours each way on winding mountain roads, so it’s time consuming.

If you have only one car you could leave it at Lake St Clair, then take a private bus to Cradle Mountain to start the Overland Track. However, private bus service between Lake St Clair and Cradle Mountain is not very common.

Unless you have a large group and can arrange a charter, you will most likely have to take a scheduled private bus to Launceston, then transfer to another bus to Cradle Mountain.

In most cases it’s cheaper to leave your car parked in Launceston and take the bus both ways.

If you want to hire a car, the easiest places to do that are Hobart, Launceston, or Devonport. I use Discover Cars because it lets you compare prices from lots of different companies, so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Lake St Clair Ferry 

Many people choose to take the ferry across Lake St Clair instead of walking the final 17.5 km along the side of the lake.

The ferry is privately operated and runs three times a day in the summer. Service is less frequent at other times of year and may stop entirely in the winter. 

The ferry runs between Narcissus River (near the Narcissus Hut) and Cynthia Bay near the Lake St Clair Lodge.

See my section-by-section guide to the Overland Track and Overland Track Itineraries to decide if you want to take the ferry or walk.

Call ahead to book as it does fill up in busy season, especially the midday sailing. If you didn’t book ahead, you can call the Lake St Clair Lodge from the radio in the Narcissus Hut to ask about availability. As of 2022 the ferry costs $55/person for the 30 minute trip. 

The ferry will also stop on request at Echo Point. It is best to arrange this in advance. But there is a sign you can raise at the Echo Point Jetty to signal to the operator that you want to be picked up.

You will have to put your packs in a pile at the front of the ferry and you won’t be able to access them during the ride. Make sure you grab your camera before getting on board. You may also want a jacket since it can be windy on the lake. The ferry is enclosed, but it isn’t very warm.

Where to Stay Near the Overland Track

Since the Overland Track starts and finishes in remote locations, you may want to stay overnight nearby before or after your trip.

The first day of the track is difficult, so staying in Cradle Mountain the night before can help you get started nice and early. As well, it’s stressful to rush to meet your bus on the last day, so why not stay in a warm bed that night, then get the bus the next day.

There are a few options for camping, cabins, and hotels near the Cradle Mountain National Park entrance:

• Cradle Mountain Discovery Caravan Park: Camping and cute rustic cabins across from the visitor center.
• Cradle Mountain Waldheim Cabins: Rustic cabins in the park near the Ronny Creek trailhead.
• Pepper’s Cradle Mountain Lodge: Famous luxury lodge with a spa at the park entrance.
• Cradle Mountain Highlanders: Secluded self-catering cabins near the park entrance.
• Cradle Mountain Hotel: Four-star hotel and restaurant near the park entrance.
• Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village: Self-contained chalets and bar near the park entrance.

At Lake St Clair, Overland Track walkers have a few choices:

• Fergy’s Paddock campground: Free national park campground with no toilets or water.
• Lake St Clair Lodge: Luxury lodge and restaurant located right at end of the track.
• Lake St Clair Tourist Park: Camping and dorm-style bunkhouses next to the lodge.
• Derwent Bridge Chalets: Self-catering chalets in Derwent Bridge, about 5 km from Lake St. Clair.

I hope you’re reading this well in advance of your trip. Now that you know how to get to the Overland Track, make your booking ASAP. (So you don’t end up paying way too much money the way I did!)

MORE OVERLAND TRACK POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview
• 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary (Plus More Itinerary Options)
• The Complete Guide to Overland Track Huts and Camping
• Your Guide to All the Overland Track Side Trips
• Overland Track Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring

The post Overland Track Transport: How to Get There appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

This guide to side trips from the Overland Track includes:

• How to prepare for a side trip
• Cradle Mountain
• Barn Bluff
• Lake Will
• Old Pelion Hut
• Mount Oakleigh
• Mount Ossa
• Mount Pelion East
• D’Alton and Fergusson Falls
• Hartnett Falls
• Pine Valley (The Acropolis and the Labyrinth)

FYI: Most walkers won’t be able to complete all of the Overland Track side trips. Have a look at my section-by-section Overland Track overview and suggested Overland Track itineraries to see how much time you can allow for side trips.

Want more info about the Overland Track? Check out my Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track. It has a great overview of everything you need to know including how to book, what the weather is like, when to go, and how to stay safe.

Preparing for a Side Trip from the Overland Track

It’s you’re taking an Overland Track side trip it’s important to be prepared.

You will not want to take your big heavy pack on the side trips so leave it at the junction. Many of the junctions have wooden platforms to leave your pack on. Be sure to put a rain cover on your pack or tie the zippers shut to protect your pack from marauding currawongs. They have learned to undo zips!

Take a small day pack with some essentials inside on your hike. You should bring food, water, rain gear, warm clothing, a first aid kit, your map and your PLB if you are carrying one. Read my recommendations for day packs, plus other essentials gear in my Overland Track packing list.

Check the weather before you head out on your side trip from the Overland Track. If the weather looks bad, don’t go up a peak. Hikers have slipped and fallen to their deaths on the trail in wet, icy and snowy conditions.

If you can see the top of a peak, climb it! Don’t wait until later in the trip to climb a peak since the weather might be bad then. Adjust your schedule to climb the peak you are near. (Check out my section-by-section Overland Track overview to see which days are best for which side trips)

Cradle Mountain

Distance: 2km return

Elevation Change: 395m ascent

Time: 2-3 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

Location: Start at Kitchen Hut, 5.4 km from Ronny Creek

If the weather is nice, you shouldn’t skip climbing Cradle Mountain. It’s a steep scramble up rocks to the summit, but the views are incredible. Cradle Mountain towers over Dove Lake, making it the only high peak in the park that most casual visitors see. At 1545m tall its the 6th tallest mountain in Tasmania. 

The track starts at Kitchen Hut. Just 100m later, turn left on to the Cradle Mountain Face Track. Then in 50m, turn right on to the Cradle Mountain Summit Track.

The beginning of the track is across grassland, but it soon turns to rocky scree with some climbing across boulders. The route is marked with cairns, red paint and posts. At the summit there is a big bronze plaque that points out the surrounding mountains.

Barn Bluff

Distance: 7km return

Elevation Change: 359m ascent

Time: 3-4hours

Difficulty: Challenging

Location: Track starts 9km from Ronny Creek; 1.7km from Waterfall Valley

Barn Bluff is Tasmania’s 4th highest mountain at 1559m. Views of this peak dominate the first few days of the Overland Track. And from some angles, it does look like a barn.

You can summit Barn Bluff en route to Waterfall Valley on your first day on the Overland Track. However, many people choose to summit Cradle Mountain that day, or run into bad weather. In that case, you can also head up Barn Bluff from the Waterfall Valley Hut and campsite. This will add an extra 1.7km each way with 160m of elevation change. 

From the junction with the Overland track, the route to Barn Bluff climbs gradually through buttongrass along the side of Bluff Cirque for the first 2.5km. The final kilometre to the summit is over rough scree with lots of boulders. There are steep scrambling moves. Watch for cairns to ensure you stay on the correct track.

Lake Will

Distance: 3km return

Elevation Change: none

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Location: Track starts 3.8 km from Waterfall Valley

The track to Lake Will is one of the easiest Overland Track side trips. It makes a great lunch stop on the short walk between Waterfall Valley and Windermere. On a warm day you may even want to go for a swim. There are great views of Barn Bluff from the lake.

From the junction follow the narrow duckboard track for 1.5km to the shores of the lake. You’ll pass some pretty ponds around the 1km mark. Once you are at the lake you can stop for lunch at a small sandy bay.

The track continues to the left along the lake shore but it is very brushy. If you want to extend your walk, head to Innes Falls just beyond the lake outlet. This will add another 2km to your trip.

Old Pelion Hut

Distance: 1km return

Elevation Change: 30m descent

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Location: Track starts 400m from New Pelion Hut and Campground.

Pelion Hut is the oldest of the historic huts in the park, built in 1916. It originally housed copper miners and if you look carefully, you can see evidence of long-ago mining nearby. It’s a historic hut so you are not allowed to sleep in it.

You can take the side trip to Old Pelion Hut on your way past in on the hike from Windermere to New Pelion Hut. Or you can head to New Pelion, have dinner, then make a quick evening trip over. The track is an easy walk on duckboard.

A short path behind the hut leads down to a swimming hole on Douglas Creek.

Mount Oakleigh

Distance: 8km return

Elevation Change: 516m ascent

Time: 4-6 hours

Difficulty: moderate

Location: Track starts at New Pelion Hut and Campground

The dolerite spires of 1386m high Mount Oakleigh dominate the view from the veranda of the New Pelion Hut. If you choose to take a rest day there (or you’re a super-fast hiker), this hike makes a great day trip. From the top you can see most of the Overland Track.

The track starts on the far side of New Pelion Hut. Follow the track along the side of Pelion plains for 500m to a small suspension bridge across Douglas Creek. After the bridge, turn left at the wooden sign post on to the Mount Oakleigh track. The next kilometre across the moorland can be very muddy.

The trails climbs gently through eucalyptus forest until the 2.5km mark when things get steep and the track turns west.  It’s another 1.3km to a high rocky knoll with great views.

You can turn around here or carry on down into a shallow valley then up onto another high point above the rocky pinnacles. Most people will be content to turn around here, but the true summit is 700m further away to the north. 

Mount Ossa

Distance: 5.2 km return

Elevation Change: 487m ascent

Time: 4-6 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

Location: Track starts at Pelion Gap, 1.6km from New Pelion Hut

As the tallest mountain in Tasmania at 1617m, Mount Ossa is on most Overland Track hikers’ tick list. It’s a long and challenging hike to the summit, but it’s worth it. Recently the national park has done a lot of work on the track to add stairs, making it a bit less arduous.

From Pelion Gap, the track climbs up the side of Mount Doris. Then it flattens out a bit as it contours around into a saddle at the 1.5km mark. There are great views from here and hikers without time or energy should enjoy them, and then turn around.

After the saddle the real climbing begins. Head up a scree-filled gully, being careful to follow the marked track.

The next kilometre features lots of steep and rocky terrain that will require a little bit of scrambling over boulders. This can be treacherous when it is wet, icy or snowy. After passing a small tarn, turn right to reach the boulder-covered summit. 

Mount Pelion East

Distance: 2.4 km return

Elevation Change: 331m ascent

Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: moderate/challenging

Location: Track starts at Pelion Gap, 1.6km from New Pelion Hut

If you’re looking for a less crowds than Mount Ossa, or just want a shorter hike, head to Mount Pelion East, just across Pelion Gap. At 1461m tall it’s still a worthy objective. Plus its shorter height means it’s less likely to get clouded in.

The trip to the summit is a gradual climb through gum trees and along grassy slopes that can be wet and muddy. The final few hundred meters to the summit involve following cairns through the rocks, climbing up a a scree-filled gully, and then scrambling up to the top of the summit tower. 

D’Alton and Fergusson Falls

Distance: 1 km return

Elevation Change: 70m descent

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: easy

Location: Track starts 4.1km from Kia Ora Hut

If you have time for lots of side trips on the Oveland Track, head down to D’Alton and Fergusson Falls. (But if you’re short on time, skip these and go to Hartnett Falls instead.) D’Alton and Fergusson Falls sit in a deep gorge along the Mersey River. They can be a bit of a trickle in the late summer and fall, but in the spring they rage with water.

From the Overland Track, descend on a zig zag track for about 300m to a junction. Turn right to contour around the side of a hill towards Fergusson Falls. There’s a fixed chain to use as a handhold. Be careful on the sheer ledges at the viewpoint.

Retrace your steps to the junction, then go steeply downhill to the left towards D’Alton Falls. The track is very close to the cliff edge at some points and there is no railing, so be careful.

Hartnett Falls

Distance: 1.5 km return

Elevation Change: 60m descent

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: easy 

Location: Track starts 4.5km from Kia Ora Hut

Hartnett Falls is the most beautiful waterfall on the Overland Track and is an easy side trip that you shouldn’t miss. It sits deep inside a fern-covered canyon.

From the Overland Track follow the track through the forest as it gradually descends to the Mersey River. After about 700m you will arrive at the top of the falls.

If you take a rough track to the right you’ll emerge on the river’s edge above the falls. At times of low water flow, there’s a great swimming hole.

If you head left, you can follow a newly refurbished track along the canyon rim, then down a set of stairs to the bottom. Head back up stream towards the falls, hopping across rocks to stay out of the stream. Although the water is icy cold, the pool below the falls is popular for swimming.

Pine Valley

Distance: 4.7km one way

Elevation Change: 60m ascent

Time: 1.5-2 hours one way

Difficulty: easy

Location: Track starts 5.2 km from Bert Nichols Hut/Windy Ridge campground or 3.8 km from Narcissus Hut

If you have an extra couple of days on the Overland Track, its worth heading into Pine Valley. There’s a hut and campground, plus more trails that lead deeper into some spectacular wilderness. 

From the Overland Track descend to the Narcissus River and cross it on a suspension bridge. The track continues through flat forest on a mix of boardwalk, slippery tree roots and mud.

Cross the first bridge over Cephissus Creek at the 1km mark and then the second bridge back to the north side after another 1.5km. The track continues alongside the creek for another 2.2km before crossing Cephissus Creek for the third time (back to the south side), and arriving at the Pine Valley Hut.

The Acropolis

Distance: 6.4km return

Elevation Change: 640m ascent

Time: 4 hours return

Difficulty: moderate/challenging 

Location: Track starts at Pine Valley Hut

The imposing rock spires of the Acropolis look like you’d need ropes and technical climbing skills to get up them. But there’s actually a fairly straightforward route to the summit for hikers from the Pine Valley Hut. It does involve lots of boulder-scrambling and route-finding.

From the Pine Valley Hut, follow the track north. Then, turn turn right 40m later at a junction on to the Acropolis Track. In the first kilometre you will pass by Cephissus Falls and then cross Cephissus Creek.

After the creek crossing the track begins to climb up through the forest and reaches a ridge-top around the 2km mark. There are good views from here.

On the ridge the track turns left and follows the ridge crest for another kilometre. The track crosses rocky scree slopes as it follows cairns up a gully and scrambles up some short cliffs to the summit.

The Labyrinth

Distance: 6km return

Elevation Change: 430m ascent

Time: 4.5 hours return

Difficulty: moderate

Location: Track starts at Pine Valley Hut

The Labyrinth is a high alpine plateau dotted with small lakes that reflect craggy mountain peaks. Photographers love it here. You can climb up to the Labyrinth Lookout as a day trip from the Pine Valley Hut.

From the Pine Valley Hut, follow the track north then turn turn left 40m later at a junction on to the Labyrinth Track. The trail meanders through the forest before climbing up to a saddle below the Parthenon.

Next the track flanks east around the Parthenon before arriving at a junction at Lake Cyane about 2.8km from Pine Valley. Take the right hand track and climb up to a rocky lookout. This is the Labyrinth lookout. From here you get a panoramic view of all the lakes, plus Mount Geryon and the Acropolis to the north west.

If you want to walk further, return to the junction and go left past several small lakes to Lake Elysia, considered the prettiest spot in the Labyrinth. The trip will add another 2km each way to your hike.

Most hikers will do only a handful of these Overland Track side trips. You will have to let the weather, your fitness and time limits decide which ones you pick. (Tip: Check out my Overland Track itineraries to see which ones I recommend, depending on your schedule!)

Have you done and of these Overland Track side trips? Which ones would you recommend? Tell me in the comments.

MORE OVERLAND TRACK POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview
• 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary (Plus More Itinerary Options)
• The Complete Guide to Overland Track Huts and Camping
• Overland Track Transport: How to Get There
• Overland Track Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring

The post 10 Overland Track Side Trips appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I did tons of research about the huts and camping before my Overland Track trip to figure out what to bring and to decide if I wanted to camp or stay in the huts. Now that I’ve completed my trip, I’m put together a massive guide for you with everything you need to know about huts and camping on the Overland Track.

This post includes:

• Should you camp or stay in a hut? How to decide
• What are the huts like? What can you expect inside?
• What are the campgrounds like? Where do you pitch your tent
• Waterfall Valley hut and campground
• Wintermere Hut and campground
• Frog Flats campground
• New Pelion Hut and campground
• Kia Ora Hut and campground
• Bert Nichols Hut and Windy Ridge campground
• Narcissus Hut and campground
• Echo Point Hut
• Pine Valley Hut and campground
• Fergy’s Paddock campground

Want more info about the Overland Track? Check out these Overland Track guides:

• Overland Track Basics: A great overview of everything you need to know including how to book, what the weather is like, when to go, and how to stay safe.
• Section-by-section overview of the Overland Track: What to expect on each leg of the hike.
• Overland Track itineraries: The standard 6-day itinerary plus alternative itineraries for 4 to 12 days.
• Overland Track side trips: Climb Tasmania’s highest peaks, swim in lakes, and visit waterfalls.
• Overland Track packing list: Everything you need to bring.
• Overland Track Transport: How to get there.

Should You Camp or Stay in a Hut?

There are three ways to hike the Overland Track: self-guided where you stay in public huts and campgrounds, guided where you stay in private huts and as part of a group where you stay at group campsites.

Most walkers go self-guided (that’s what I did) so I’m going to focus providing info on the public huts and campgrounds.

All public huts and campgrounds on the Overland Track are first-come, first-served and open to all self-guided walkers. That means you can’t reserve a camping platform or bunk in a hut ahead of time. You just have to show up and hope there is space.

However, everyone is welcome to cook and socialize in the huts, no matter if they sleeping in tent or in the hut.

At some sites you may also have to share the hut and campgrounds with hikers who aren’t doing the Overland Track. (Be prepared to see other hikers at Waterfall Valley, New Pelion, Pine Valley, Narcissus and Echo Point.)

In bad weather, the hut bunks can fill up so the park rangers require you to carry a tent just in case. However, if the weather is truly terrible, you can always find a place on the floor of a hut. On my trip the weather was so awful at Waterfall Valley that everyone crammed in to the huts. No one wanted to camp! 

Whether you choose to stay in the huts or camp is a matter of personal preference. The huts are warmer and drier, but they are also noisier (snoring!) and more crowded. You won’t have much personal space in a hut and private activities like getting changed can be difficult or impossible.

Personally I prefer to sleep in my tent since I like to wake up to the sounds of nature and see the view out my door from my sleeping bag. On my Overland Track hike I only slept in a hut once at Waterfall Valley. 

What Are the Huts Like on the Overland Track?

The public huts on the Overland Track are basic, rustic structures designed to let people sleep, cook and warm up inside. The Overland Track huts definitely aren’t the deluxe huts you might find in Europe with meals for sale.

They are more like North American backcountry ski huts since they have no electricity, lighting or running water.

Tasmania’s Parks and Wilderness Service is working on upgrading the facilities on the Overland Track. That means that some of the huts are quite new. I have details on each hut below.

Here’s what you can find at all of the huts:

• Wooden bunks for sleeping. There are no mattresses or bedding so bring your own.
• Tables and benches for eating
• Metal-topped bench-tops (countertops) for cooking. There are no stoves so you need to bring your own.
• A rainwater barrel for (untreated) drinking water with a drain underneath for dumping your dirty dishwater.
• Coal or gas heater for use in temperatures less than 10C.
• Composting toilets. No toilet paper is provided. 
• Walkers log book. Sign in at every hut for safety.
• Information sign with a trail map and walk information.
• Covered porch or drying room (not all huts have this)
• Helipad for emergencies (Tip: usually you get a good view by walking out to the helipad.)

There are also four historic huts on the Overland Track: Kitchen Hut, Old Waterfall Valley Hut, Old Pelion Hut and Du Cane Hut. These old huts are more like museums. That means you can’t sleep or cook in them unless it is an emergency.

What Are the Campgrounds Like on the Overland Track?

With one exception (Frog Flats) the public campgrounds on the Overland Track are right next to the huts. Tent campers are welcome to cook and socialize inside the huts. Besides Frog Flats, there are no designated camping areas away from the huts.

You are permitted to camp informally anywhere along the Overland Track after Waterfall Valley as long as you follow Leave No Trace practices. However, I didn’t see many places that would make good campsites.

Each campground is a little different, but they all have two camping areas: one huge wooden tent platform for groups (booked separately) and then another area (or several areas) for self-guided campers. 

Some campgrounds for self-guided campers are just open grassy areas near the huts. Others have wooden tent platforms. And some have a mix of both.

The timber tent platforms have adjustable hooks and cables you can use to secure your tent. They also have flat head nails at the edges. I recommend bringing a bunch of extra string in case the hooks aren’t in the right place for your tent. This is especially helpful if you bring a non-freestanding tent like I did.

To be extra sure, you may also want to bring a few metal cup hooks from the hardware store. You can screw them in to the timber platform where you need them, then tie your tent on. The next day, unscrew them and take them with you. 

Some of the campgrounds have large platforms that are designed to hold two or three tents. Don’t hog the platforms. Be prepared to share with others.

There are metal plates on the corners of some of the timber tent platforms. If you are going to cook outside, put your stove on the metal plates to avoid scorching the wood.

Waterfall Valley Hut and Campground

New Waterfall Valley Hut: sleeps 34 in three rooms

Self-guided camping: on the grass near Old Waterfall Valley Hut

I haven’t actually visited the the new Waterfall Valley hut yet since it was completed in July 2020. It looks pretty fancy. It has big windows with an amazing view of Barn Bluff. There’s also a gas heater on a timer for winter use. It also has solar lighting.

You enter through a mudroom that also functions as a drying room for wet gear. Unlike the older huts, the kitchen area is huge with four large tables and benchtops for cooking on the side. There is also an outdoor kitchen area. The hut has three separate bunk rooms with doors that close for privacy. There are also cubbies, hooks, and benches for organizing gear. 

All self-guided camping at Waterfall Valley is on the grass near the Old Waterfall Valley hut. In nice weather there are great views of Barn Bluff and lots of friendly wallabies. However, none of the campsites are very flat and they can collect water in heavy rain.

In addition to the timber tent platform for groups, there’s also a platform near the Overland Track reserved for non-Overland Track hikers.

Windermere Hut and Campground

Windermere Hut: sleeps 34

Self-guided camping: Numerous timber platforms

Windermere Hut gets its name from Lake Windermere. But the hut and campground are actually a 10 minute walk above the lake. After you get settled in the hut or set up your tent, its worth walking back down the Overland Track to the lake access. The water is cold, but there’s a small island you can swim out to.

A brand new Windermere Hut opened in November 2022, so I haven’t visited it yet. It is arranged in two wings with a porch and open deck between them. One wing includes the communal area for cooking. It has three big tables, a long bench-top for cooking and a gas heater. The other wing has three sleeping areas.

There are lots of tent platforms scattered around Windermere hut. The most obvious ones are near the hut. However, continue along the Overland Track for 80 meters to find three separate groups of platforms. Some of them have amazing views of Barn Bluff.

Frog Flats Campground

Camping: several informal grassy sites

There is no hut or other facilities at Frog Flats. Some walkers find the distance between Windermere and Pelion huts too long, so they choose to break up the hike by stopping at Frog Flats. 

There are a few grassy clearings around the trail that make great campsites. Be careful camping too close to the Forth River as it can be very wet. You can get water from the Forth River near the bridge, but be sure to treat it first.

There is no toilet at this campsite so be sure to use Leave No Trace practices by digging a cat hole 70 meters from streams and tracks.

New Pelion Hut and Campground

New Pelion Hut: sleeps 36

Self-guided camping: timber tent platform that fits 3 tents, numerous spots on the grass

New Pelion Hut is the largest and nicest hut along the Overland Track, built in 2001. It sleeps up to 36 people in 6 separate rooms. There’s a large common room with lots of tables, benches and benchtops for cooking.

There is a covered (but not enclosed) porch all the way around the hut that is a good spot for drying gear. The north side has beautiful views of Mount Oakleigh and Pelion Plains. You can spot wombats and pademelons from the porch.

Self-guided campers can pitch their tents in a grassy area alongside the Overland Track near the turn-off to New Pelion Hut. A large timber platform accommodates 3 tents and all other camping is on grass. Most of the sites are quite close to the main track, but you can find some smaller, more private sites in the nearby bush.

Kia Ora Hut and Campground

Kia Ora Hut: sleeps 34

Self-guided camping: Numerous tent platforms

Kia Ora is a Maori greeting. One of the early guides in the park, Paddy Hartnett of New Zealand, named the nearby creek Kia Ora. The hut takes its name from the creek.

A brand Kia Ora Hut opened in November 2022, so I haven’t visited it yet. The new hut is two separate structures joined by a covered porch. There is a big deck with seating around the outside.

The larger building has a big communal room for cooking and eating. It has three big tables with bench seating. There is also a long bench-top for cooking. There is a heater in the corner. The back of that building also has a large bunk room. The smaller building has two separate bunk rooms.

There are numerous tent platforms near the old hut. Many of them are very close to each other or to the Overland Track. Some of them are very small, while others are designed for 2 or 3 tents. One of them has a great view of Pelion East. (Can you guess which one I picked?)

If you continue on the Overland Track for about 80m you’ll come to a bridge over Kia Ora Creek. There are a few spots in the creek upstream of the bridge to take a dip. However, if you cross a bridge then follow a steep and faint track downstream for a few minutes, you’ll arrive at Kia Ora Falls. The pool under the fall is really refreshing.

Bert Nichols Hut and Campground Windy Ridge

Bert Nichols Hut: sleeps 24

Self-guided camping: Tent platforms

The Bert Nichols Hut was built in 2008 and is named after Bert Nichols, one of the early guides for the Overland Track.

It’s built into the side of a hill so it has a split level design. On the top level when you enter there is a large drying room to your right. To the left the hallway leads to four separate sleeping rooms with bunks. Downstairs there is a screened in room with tables and benches on the right. On the left there is a large common room with a heater, lots of tables and some metal benchtops for cooking.

Look for tent platforms spread out alongside the Overland Track leading up to the hut. They are mostly quite small and not very private. There are also fewer platforms here than at other huts. Since all the platforms are in the trees, they are sheltered from the wind.

Narcissus

Narcissus Hut: Sleeps 18

Self-guided camping: 2 small platforms, 2 large platforms, cleared campsites on the ground

The National Park renovated Narcissus Hut in 2015 and it now sports a coat of shiny white paint inside, giving it a much different look than many of the other huts.

There is a small common room on one side with tables, benches and a metal benchtop. A door separates the common room from the bunk room. There’s a radio in the common room you can use to call to confirm ferry bookings. Outside there is a covered front porch with benches and a picnic table. 

Near the hut you will find a few timber tent platforms scattered in the trees. There are two small platforms as well as two larger platforms that can hold a few tents. In a pinch you could also camp on bare ground near the hut as there are some flat spots.

The wide Narcissus River is nearby and is rumoured to be home to a platypus. Head down for a look at dawn or dusk for your best chance of spotting him or her.

Echo Point

Echo Point Hut: Sleeps 8

Camping: Informal sites on the beach or in clearings near the hut

The small Echo Point hut has a similar design to the Old Waterfall Valley hut with two sets of double bunks and a small benchtop for cooking.

While the hut is in better shape than Old Waterfall Valley hut, hikers report that is not animal proof. Hang your food up at night to keep it safe. I recommend using a dry bag that is difficult for animals to chew through.

There is no rainwater barrel at this hut so you will need to collect water from the lake and treat it. 

There are also no formal campsites or timber platforms at the hut. Most people opt to camp on the beach but there is enough space for a few tents near the hut.

Down at the lake there is a jetty for the ferry. You can arrange ferry pick up or drop off here ahead of time. There’s also a sign you can raise to request the ferry driver to stop. The jetty is also a popular place to swim.

Pine Valley

Pine Valley Hut: sleeps 24

Camping: 2 small platforms, 2 large platforms, clearings on the ground. 

The Pine Valley Hut isn’t actually on the Overland Track. It’s a popular side trip for walkers who want to explore the Labyrinth or climb the Acropolis.

The Pine Valley Hut has a similar layout to the Old Waterfall Valley and Kia Ora huts with shelf-style sleeping platforms in the same room as the cooking tables and benches. Outside there is a covered area that you can use to dry your gear.

There are a few tent platforms around the hut tucked into tight trees. You can camp on the ground in some clearings, but the area can be very wet when it rains.

Fergy’s Paddock

Camping: grassy sites

If you need a place to stay at the end of the Overland Track and you don’t want to pay for a hotel, you can stay at the Fergy’s Paddock campground for free as an Overland Track hiker. It’s a grassy clearing just up the bank from Lake St Clair and 700m from the end of the Overland Track.

There’s no rainwater tank so you will need to retrieve water from the lake. There is no toilet at the site, but you can walk the 700m to the public toilet at the Lake St Clair Lodge.

I hope I answered all the questions you might have about huts and camping on the Overland Track. If there’s anything I missed, let me know in the comments.

MORE OVERLAND TRACK POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview
• 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary (Plus More Itinerary Options)
• Your Guide to All the Overland Track Side Trips
• Overland Track Transport: How to Get There
• Overland Track Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring

The post Overland Track Huts and Camping appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

But then I sprained my ankle a few weeks before my trip, so I defaulted to the most common 6-Day Overland Track itinerary with only a few side trips. (Originally I was planning something much more ambitious!)

Rather than letting those other itineraries go to waste, I’m sharing them with you. There are slower trips for beginner walkers, faster trips for strong hikers and longer trips for peak baggers or those who want to explore less-trodden side tracks.

I’ve set out a few sample Overland Track itineraries below so you can pick the one that works best for you. Some of these itineraries also include side trips, but keep in mind that side trips to mountain peaks are weather dependent. If it’s pouring rain, snowy, icy or super windy up there, you won’t be able to get to the top. (Nor would you want to!)

This post includes:

• Choosing your Overland Track itinerary: what to keep in mind
• Standard 6-day or 7-day Overland Track itinerary: most walkers use this schedule
• 5-day Overland Track itinerary: for fast walkers
• 4-day Overland Track itinerary: for fast walkers who don’t mind skipping side trips
• Beginner-friendly Overland Track itineraries: 7-day and 9-day options
• Peak-bagger itinerary: 7-day itinerary for walkers who prioritize climbing mountains
• Pine Valley-Overland Track combo itinerary: 7-day trip that also visits Pine Valley
• Maximalist itineraries: 10, 11, and 12-day itineraries for those who want to do it all

Want more info about the Overland Track? Check out my Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track. It has a great overview of everything you need to know including how to book, what the weather is like, when to go, and how to stay safe.

Choosing Your Overland Track Itinerary

When you are planning your Overland Track trip there are a few factors to consider when choosing how many days to take.

First, consider your fitness. How many hours a day can you comfortably walk? How do you do on climbs? Read my section-by-section overview of the Overland Track to get an idea of what to expect along the way.

Be sure to consider which side trips to take. You can climb Tasmania’s highest peak, swim in a lake, visit a waterfall and more. Then read my guide to Overland Track huts and campgrounds to decide which ones look nicest.

Next figure out your priorities. Do you want to spend lots of time climbing peaks? Do you want to a rest day where you stay at the same camp for two nights? Is completing the trail in fast-and-light style more your thing? Just because the standard itinerary is 6-days doesn’t mean you need to stick to it.

Lastly, plan for the weather. Tasmania’s weather is notoriously fickle, even in the middle of summer. Keep in mind that any itinerary you choose needs to account for poor weather.

On a tight itinerary you will have to keep walking through rain and snow. But if you opt for a longer itinerary, you can wait out the storm in a hut (and forgo some of your side trips.)

READ NEXT: Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview

Standard 6-Day or 7-Day Overland Track Itinerary

This is the Overland Track itinerary I followed, and I’d say most of the people I met along the track were on the same schedule. The majority of hikers exit the trail at Narcissus on the ferry rather than walking around Lake St Clair.

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain or Barn Bluff.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Optional side trip to Barn Bluff or Lake Will.

Day 3: Windermere to Pelion: 5-7 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 4: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. Optional side trip to Mount Oakleigh, Mount Ossa or Mount Pelion East.

Day 5: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge: 3.5-4.5 hours. Optional side trip to D’Alton Falls, Fergusson Falls or Hartnett Falls.

Day 6: Windy Ridge to Narciuss Ferry Jetty: 3-4 hours.

Optional Day 7: Narcissus to Cynthia Bay: 5-6 hours. You could also walk from Windy Ridge to Echo Point (5-6 hours) on Day 6, then from Echo Point to Cynthia Bay (3-4 hours) on Day 7.

Fast 5-Day Overland Track Itinerary

If you don’t have much time, you can definitely complete the Overland Track faster than the standard itineraries. You may still even have time for some side trips. If you choose this itinerary, keep in mind that you will need to book the last ferry of the day on day 5.

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain or Barn Bluff.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Optional side trip to Barn Bluff or Lake Will.

Day 3: Windermere to Pelion: 5-7 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 4: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. Optional side trip to Mount Oakleigh, Mount Ossa or Mount Pelion East.

Day 5: Kia Ora to Narcissus: 6.5-8.5 hours. Optional side trip to Hartnett Falls.

Super-Fast 4-Day Overland Track Itinerary

If you want to go even faster, you can complete the Overland Track in 4 days. You may not have time for many side trips and you’ll be spending most of each day on the track. Remember to book the last ferry of the day on day 4.

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain or Barn Bluff.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Frog Flats. 5.5-7.5 hours. Optional side trip to Lake Will.

Day 3: Frog Flats to Kia Ora: 5-7 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 4: Kia Ora to Narcissus: 6.5-8.5 hours. Optional side trip to Hartnett Falls.

Beginner-Friendly 7-Day and 9-Day Overland Track Itineraries

These beginner-friendly itineraries prioritize short days on your feet. They also include only the easiest side trips. However, more days on the track means a heavier food bag, so it’s a trade-off.

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. 

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Optional side trip to Lake Will.

Day 3: Windermere to Frog Flats 3-4 hours.

Day 4: Frog Flats to Pelion: 2-3 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 5: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. 

Day 6: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge: 3.5-4.5 hours. Optional side trip to Hartnett Falls.

Day 7: Windy Ridge to Narciuss Ferry Jetty: 3-4 hours.

Optional Day 8: Narcissus to Echo Point: 2 hours.

Optional Day 9: Echo Point to Cynthia Bay: 3-4 hours.

Peak Baggers 7-day and 8-Day Itineraries

You can access many of Tasmania’s highest mountains from the Overland Track, including the tallest, Mount Ossa. Some people make a sport of trying to climb all of Tasmania’s peaks over 1100m tall, called Abels. This itinerary is designed to climb as many Abels as possible along the track (weather depending of course).

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Side trip to Cradle Mountain.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Side trip to Barn Bluff.

Day 3: Windermere to Pelion: 5-7 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 4: Stay at Pelion. Side trip to Mount Oakleigh.

Day 5: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. Side trip to Mount Ossa and/or Mount Pelion East.

Day 6: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge: 3.5-4.5 hours. Optional side trip to D’Alton Falls, Fergusson Falls or Hartnett Falls.

Day 7: Windy Ridge to Narciuss Ferry Jetty: 3-4 hours.

Optional Day 8: Narcissus to Cynthia Bay: 5-6 hours.

7-Day Pine Valley and Overland Track Combo Itinerary

Most Overland Track hikers do not walk the side track into Pine Valley, so it’s much quieter. There are several gorgeous day walks in the valley so it makes sense to spend at least one night at the hut there. (On my trip, the Pine Valley Track was closed due to a nearby wildfire, so I haven’t actually been there yet. But rest assured, the fire didn’t come close enough to do any damage.)

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain or Barn Bluff.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Optional side trip to Barn Bluff or Lake Will.

Day 3: Windermere to Pelion: 5-7 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 4: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. Optional side trip to Mount Oakleigh, Mount Ossa or Mount Pelion East.

Day 5: Kia Ora to Pine Valley: 6.5-8 hours. Optional side trip to D’Alton Falls, Fergusson Falls or Hartnett Falls.

Day 6: Stay at Pine Valley. Side trip to the Acropolis. Optional additional side trip to the Labyrinth.

Day 7: Pine Valley to Narcissus: 3-4.5 hours.

10-Day, 11-Day and 12-Day Itineraries for the Full Experience

This itinerary includes every single side trip along the Overland Track, including a few days in Pine Valley. You’ll have heavy packs on this trip since you’ll be packing so many days of food. Keep in mind that on a trip this length you are bound to run into bad weather which may preclude some of the side trips.

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Side trip to Cradle Mountain.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Side trips to Barn Bluff and Lake Will.

Day 3: Windermere to Pelion: 5-7 hours.

Day 4: Stay at Pelion. Side trips to Mount Oakleigh and Old Pelion Hut.

Day 5: Stay at Pelion. Side trip to Mount Ossa.

Day 6: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. Side trip to Mount Pelion East.

Day 7: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge: 3.5-4.5 hours. Side trips to D’Alton Falls, Fergusson Falls or Hartnett Falls.

Day 8: Windy Ridge to Pine Valley: 3 hours. Side trip to the Acropolis.

Day 9: Stay at Pine Valley. Side trip to the Labyrinth and Lake Elysia

Day 10: Pine Valley to Narcissus: 3 hours.

Optional Day 11: Narcissus to Echo Point: 2 hours OR Narcissus to Cynthia Bay 5-6 hours.

Optional Day 12: Echo Point to Cynthia Bay: 3-4 hours.

So now you should have all the info you need to choose your Overland Track itinerary. Don’t forget to book ferries and shuttle buses that line up with your itinerary!

For your first time, I recommend the standard 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary, but if the weather looks good I’d add on Pine Valley too. Have questions about planning your itinerary? Leave them in the comments!

MORE OVERLAND TRACK POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview
• The Complete Guide to Overland Track Huts and Camping
• Your Guide to All the Overland Track Side Trips
• Overland Track Transport: How to Get There
• Overland Track Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring

The post 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary (Plus More Itinerary Options) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I hiked the trail in February 2019 and had an amazing time. I’ve put together a section-by-section overview of the Overland Track to give you a taste of the trail and help you get prepped for your trip.

It’s got info on distances and hiking times for each day, difficulty and things you won’t want to miss. There are also lots of photos! Use this Overland Track overview to help you plan your trip.

I’ve updated all the info for the 2022/23 season. This post includes:

• Key distances on the Overland Track
• Staring the Overland Track: Checking in and getting to trailhead from the visitor center
• Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 10.7 km plus side trips
• Waterfall Valley to Windermere: 7.8 km plus side trips
• Windermere to Pelion: 16.8 km plus side trips
• Pelion to Kia Ora: 8.6 km plus side trips
• Kia Ora to Windy Ridge: 9.6 km plus side trips
• Windy Ridge to Narcissus: 9 km plus side trips
• Narcissus to Cynthia Bay: 17.5 km (bonus final day)
• Finishing the Overland Track: Sign-in to formally finish, where to eat, and arranging transport

Want more info about the Overland Track? Check out my other Overland Track posts:

• Overland Track Basics: Everything you need to know including how to book, what the weather is like, when to go, and how to stay safe.
• Overland Track Itineraries. Trips from 4 to 12 days for beginners, fast hikers, peak baggers and more. Be sure to consider which
• Side trips to take from the Overland Track. You can climb Tasmania’s highest peak, swim in a lake, visit a waterfall and more.
• Camping and huts on the Overland Track: Details on what to find at each site.
• How to get to the Overland Track: shuttle buses, water taxis, self-driving, and more.
• What to pack for the Overland Track: A super detailed packing list.

Key Distances on the Overland Track

Starting the Overland Track

To start the Overland Track you’ll need to go the Overland Track check-in desk at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. (Need info on getting to Cradle Mountain? Check out my Overland Track transport guide.)

The visitor centre is next to the large visitor car park just outside the main entrance to the park. Bring a copy of the email with your booking confirmation. You will also need to complete a walker safety checklist to confirm that you have the right gear and are prepared for the trek.

After you check-in, the ranger will give you a small, waterproof Overland Track permit on a string. You need to keep the permit attached to your pack while you are walking and to your tent when you camp.

Before you leave the visitor centre use the toilet and fill up your water bottle since this is the last place to do that.

The start of the track is actually seven kilometres into the park. You can walk there in a couple hours on the Cradle Valley boardwalk.

But most people opt to take the free park shuttle bus. Get on the bus just outside the Visitor Centre, then get off at the Ronny Creek stop. At Ronny Creek, be sure to sign your name in the walkers log book and take a photo with the Overland Track sign.

Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley

Distance: 10.7km

Elevation Change: 390m ascent, 220m descent

Time: 4-6 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

Side Trip Options: Cradle Mountain, Barn Bluff

Unfortunately, the most difficult section on the Overland Track is the first day, and you’ll have to tackle it with a heavy backpack. As well, most of this day’s walk is out of the trees where you are very exposed to wind and rain. Be sure to keep rain gear and warm clothing easily accessible just in case. 

The track starts on wide duckboard from the Ronny Creek car park. You’ll pass lots of wombat burrows in buttongrass. After about 700m turn left to cross a bridge and reach a junction. Go up the stairs to the right to stay on the Overland Track through more buttongrass. After another 700m and a few stairs, go left at the junction to stay on the Overland Track.

The next section follows a creek through thick forest with a few sets of wooden stairs. Eventually you’ll emerge on the shores of Crater Lake next to an old boat house. If it’s raining and the lake level is low, head into the boat house to take a break.

From Crater Lake you’ll start to climb out of the trees towards Marions Lookout, passing two tracks coming in from the left. The trail up to Marion’s Lookout is steep in places, with lots of stairs and even a short scramble section with a chain to hang on to. This is the steepest and hardest climb on the Overland Track.

Take a break at the top to admire the great views of Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain.

From Marion’s Lookout the track undulates over open buttongrass for another 2 kilometres before reaching Kitchen Hut. This historic hut was built in 1939 as a traditional lunch stop. It’s a small hut with a few benches and it can get crowded inside on rainy and cold days. The hut is for emergency use only so don’t plan to sleep there. There’s a toilet a few meters further along the trail from the hut.

About 100m from Kitchen Hut is the turn off for the track to the summit of Cradle Mountain. From here, the Overland Track contours around the side of Cradle Mountain through buttongrass and a few clumps of trees for another 3 kilometres. 

Just past the Lake Rodway Track junction on the main track is a small, green, plastic dome-shaped emergency hut. The next section of track is some of the most exposed so you may want to take a break here out of the weather.

From the emergency hut, the track traces the rim of the Cradle Cirque. The terrain drops steeply to your left. After about 700m, you’ll reach the intersection with the Barn Bluff Track. The Overland Track stays on top of the cirque for another 500m before starting the descent down to the Waterfall Valley.

The track heads into the trees, which can be a welcome respite from high winds and rain up on the cirque. Watch for the right turn towards the Waterfall Valley Hut and campground.

Waterfall Valley to Windermere

Distance: 7.8km

Elevation Change: 50m ascent, 50m descent

Time: 2.5-3.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy 

Side Trip Options: Barn Bluff, Lake Will

After starting with the hardest bit, you can follow it up with the easiest Overland Track section from Waterfall Valley to Windermere. The track starts by descending to cross a couple of creeks. It stays mostly flat, with some ups and downs through open forest and button grass.

After 3.5km you’ll reach a the turn off to Lake Will. There’s a large wooden platform here to leave your pack if you decide to make the side trip.

From Lake Will, the track climbs gently up a ridge, with views of lakes all around you. About 1.5km from Lake Will you’ll reach the top of the ridge and a great viewpoint. You can see your destination for the night, Lake Windermere, below you.

Descend steeply off the ridge, then walk across grassy plains to the shores of Lake Windermere. There’s a small open area next to the lake with rock steps heading into the water. It makes a great place to have a swim. The Windermere Hut and campground are a 10 minute walk slightly uphill from the lake.

Windermere to Pelion

Distance: 16.8km

Elevation Change: 270m descent, 150m ascent

Time: 5-7 hours

Difficulty: Moderate 

Side Trip Options: Old Pelion Hut, Mount Oakleigh

This is the longest Overland Track section, but thankfully none of it is too difficult.

The track starts out fairly flat with a few short climbs. For the most part you’ll be walking on open plains with a few patches of forest.

After about 4km you’ll reach the junction for the short spur trail to the River Forth Lookout. There’s open area for you to leave your packs, but the track is only 50m long so you may choose to keep your pack with you. There’s a great viewpoint at the edge of cliff where you can see the River Forth far below.

From the lookout the Overland Track heads into tight forest. The track here is has lots of roots and rocks, so it’s slow going. About 1km later, the track emerges from the trees and heads across the plains. If you look across the valley here you can see Old Pelion hut. Unfortunately your route to get there is not very direct.

The track heads back into the trees and descends to cross Pelion Creek. There’s a wooden platform here with a bench that makes a good place to rest. It’s also a good spot to collect water.

After leaving the creek, the Overland Track heads into dense forest and gradually trends downhill for he next 2.5km to Frog Flats. This is the lowest point on the track at 720m elevation.

From the bridge over the River Forth at Frog Flats, the trail climbs in the forest for the next 1.5km before levelling out a little bit. About 2km later you’ll see the turn off to Old Pelion Hut on your left. Walk 400m more meters to New Pelion Hut and campground. Just past the hut is the start of the Mount Oakleigh track.

Pelion to Kia Ora

Distance: 8.6km

Elevation Change: 260m ascent, 270m descent

Time: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate 

Side Trip Options: Mount Oakleigh, Mount Ossa, Mount Pelion East

The fourth Overland Track section is fairly short, but it includes a steep climb. As well, most walkers take a side trip up either Mount Ossa or Mount Pelion, making this day much more challenging.

The first 1.5 kilometres of the day is fairly flat walking through tight forest. Then the climbing begins.

You’ll ascend  200m of elevation over the next 2.5km to Pelion Gap. If the weather is bad, Pelion Gap is very exposed. If it is raining, windy or snowing, put on your extra clothes in the forest before you emerge into the gap.

At Pelion Gap there’s a large wooden platform to take a break and great views in all directions. You can also leave your pack here if you want to take a side trip to either Mount Ossa or Mount Pelion East. The march flies can be bad here though.

From Pelion Gap, the track drops through open terrain for about 1.5km into a wet area, then crosses Pinestone Creek. Then it’s another 2.5km of walking on a rocky track through a mix of forest and scrub to Kia Ora Hut and campground. 

Kira Ora to Windy Ridge

Distance: 9.6km

Elevation Change: 190m ascent, 160m descent

Time: 3.5-4.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate 

Side Trip Options: D’Alton and Fergusson Falls, Hartnett Falls

The fifth Overland Track section isn’t especially difficult, but does include a climb up to Du Cane Gap, plus two waterfall side trips that can make your hike more time consuming.

The first 2.5km of the track is a straightforward walk first through buttongrass plains, then through flattish, open forest to the historic Du Cane Hut.

Built in 1910, the hut is the oldest one in the park and was originally used as a trappers hut. As a historical building, it’s not very structurally sound anymore, so you can’t sleep in it. However, be sure to go inside and read some of the informational signs about the history of the hut and the park.

After Du Cane Hut it’s another 2.5km through flat forest to the junction for D’Alton and Fergusson Falls. Just 500m past the turn off to the first falls is the junction with the Hartnett Falls track. 

After the Hartnett Falls intersection the track starts to climb up towards Du Cane Gap. You had been walking in dense forest for most of the morning, but as you climb up to the gap beside Castle Crag Mountain, the forest becomes a bit more open.

From Du Cane Gap the track descends through myrtle forest for 1.5km to the Bert Nichols Hut and Windy Ridge campground.

Windy Ridge to Narcissus

Distance: 9km

Elevation Change: 140m descent

Time: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Easy 

Side Trip Option: Pine Valley

This is an easy Overland Track section since it’s all downhill! The first 5km of the track wind through flat eucalpyt forest that is a bit more open that the forest around Windy Ridge. Watch for snakes sunning themselves in this area – we saw three!

Around the 5km mark you’ll arrive at the junction with the Pine Valley Track. There is a clearing here with some fallen logs to sit on if you want a break.

Past the junction, it’s another 3km through forest, then across boardwalk in buttongrass to the banks of the Narcissus River. Cross the river on a long suspension bridge, the only one on the trail.

After the bridge, continue along the boardwalk through more open vegetation with great views of Mount Olympus across Lake St Clair. After about 1 kilometre, you’ll reach the Narcissus Hut and campground.

If you’re taking the Lake St Clair Ferry, head inside the hut to use the radio to confirm your booking. Then head straight past the hut and take the boardwalk 300m to the jetty. 

Narcissus to Cynthia Bay

Distance: 17.5km

Elevation Change: none

Time: 5-6 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Most hikers opt for the boat across Lake St Clair so they technically don’t complete the Overland Track.

However you can add an extra section to your walk (and save some money) by continuing all the way around Lake St Clair on a flat trail through the forest. I opted for the boat so I haven’t actually walked this section of the Overland Track.

The Overland Track heads to the right at the Narcissus Hut. Almost immediately you’ll pass the Lake Marion Track and then 1.5km later the junction with the Cuvier Valley Track. Shortly afterwards, the Overland Track heads closer to the shores of Lake St Clair where it stays for most of the remainder of the walk. Unfortunately, there are few views of the lake.

It should take you about 2.5 hours to walk the 6.3km after from Narcissus Hut to Echo Point Hut. There’s a jetty on the lake in front of the hut that is a good place for a swim.

After Echo Point, the track continues in the forest along the lake for another 11.2km. As you approach the end of the Overland Track you will encounter many junctions. Stay on the Overland Track and go over the bridge at Watersmeet.

The track turns into a dirt road. Look for the junction to Fergy’s Paddock campground about 700m after the bridge. Another 700m of walking past there brings you to the Lake St. Clair Visitor’s Centre at Cynthia Bay and the official end of the Overland Track.

Finishing the Overland Track

If you took the ferry across Lake St. Clair it will drop you off on the jetty at Cynthia Bay. Follow the signs up the jetty to the right along a dirt road. Walk along the road for 150m to the Lake St. Clair visitor Centre.

Once you arrive at the visitor centre be sure to take some photos at the Overland Track sign to commemorate your trip. Afterwards, head to the ranger’s desk in the west wing of the centre (on your right) to sign in and confirm you have completed the track safely.

There are public toilets and a cafe in the east wing of the visitor centre. The Overland Burger is a popular choice. The car park is behind the visitor centre.

If you booked a shuttle bus, head back there to meet it. (Find out more about shuttle buses in my Overland Track transport guide.)

So that’s my Overland Track overview with a section-by-section breakdown of the trail. If you have any questions while planning your trek, let me know in the comments.

MORE OVERLAND TRACK INFO:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary (Plus More Itinerary Options)
• The Complete Guide to Overland Track Huts and Camping
• Your Guide to All the Overland Track Side Trips
• Overland Track Transport: How to Get There
• Overland Track Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring

The post Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Essentials

Trail Permits and Campsite Reservations

You need a trail permit and campsite reservations to hike the Berg Lake Trail. You can reserve campsites online in advance of your trip (check out my Berg Lake Trail hiking guide for more info on making reservations). The day you start the trail you need to check in at the Mount Robson Provincial Park visitor centre to pick up your permits. The park ranger will give you a laminated permit that you need to hang on the outside of your backpack and attach to your tent. You need to show your permit to the rangers if they ask.

READ NEXT: BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know

Guidebook and Map (optional)

The Berg Lake Trail has excellent signage so you don’t really need to bring a topographic map or guidebook with you. However, I brought photocopies of our guidebook with us and they were really helpful since they told us what to expect on the trail in each section. (The signs only told us how far away something was.)

I recommend: I like Don’t Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies by Craig and Kathy Copeland. They have a no BS attitude that’s refreshing. Check prices: Amazon | MEC.

Compass and/or GPS (optional)

We carry a GPS on all our hikes since we like to be able to tell how far we have walked (and therefore how much further we have to go). We didn’t need the GPS for navigation at all on the Berg Lake Trail since it was so well marked.

I recommend: We use a basic Garmin eTrex 30x GPS. It has an easy to use interface and isn’t too expensive. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

Backpacks and Bags

Backpack

You’ll want to pack all your gear for the Berg Lake Trail inside a backpack. Something between 50 and 75L is probably a good size. Be sure to do a test pack at home to make sure all your gear fits. Make sure you choose a backpack that fits you well and is comfortable to carry.

I recommend: I have a Gregory Amber 65. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon. My husband really likes his Gregory Stout 70. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

Day Pack (Optional for Day Hikes)

If you’re staying a few nights at Berg Lake and day hiking in the area, you might want to bring a small packable day pack. (Or you can just use your main backpack). If you do bring a day pack, choose one that’s about 20L in size: big enough to carry water, a first aid kit, snacks and extra clothes in case it warms up or cools down.

I recommend: I have the MEC Travel Light Top Load Pack. My husband likes the Outdoor Research Dry Summit Pack since it doubles as a dry bag for his clothes inside his main backpack on the hike in. Check prices: Amazon | Outdoor Research.

Stuff Sacks and Organizers

To stay organized I like to pack my gear in a combination of different sized stuff sacks. I also bring lots of Ziploc freezer bags to keep wet gear separated and keep electronics dry and protected.

I recommend: I like the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil dry bags. They’re waterproof but still incredibly lightweight. Check prices: REI | Amazon.

Rain Protection

If your gear gets wet, it can really ruin your trip. We did the Berg Lake trail at the beginning of September and unfortunately it rained a bit most days and even snowed on our last day. I brought a rain cover for my backpack and also brought a couple big black garbage bags to wrap up gear inside my pack.

I recommend: Some packs come with a custom sized rain cover. If yours didn’t, buy a lightweight silnylon one that fits your pack well. Pro tip: If you tend to overstuff your pack or attach things to the outside, buy a slightly larger sized rain cover. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

Tent and Sleeping Gear

Tent

The Berg Lake trail is a serious mountain trek so you need a proper backpacking tent. Get one that is lightweight, compact and has a full length waterproof rain fly. You can get bad weather at any time up there, so this isn’t the place for a cheap big box store tent that will leak.

You will also want to pack a free standing tent. (By which I mean one that doesn’t rely entirely on pegs and ropes to keep it upright.) Some of the campsites on the Berg Lake Trail use wooden tent platforms and it’s close to impossible to set up a non-freestanding tent on one of those. As well, the campsites aren’t large so huge tents don’t fit. Split your group up into several 2 or 3 person tents. And sadly, if you are a hammock camper, they aren’t allowed on this trail so you’ll have to go back to being a ground-dweller.

I recommend: I’ve been using MSR Hubba Hubba tents for over a decade and I can’t say enough good things about them. (Well except that they aren’t cheap!) Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon. If the Hubba Hubba isn’t in your budget, check out the MSR Elixir. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

Sleeping Bag and Compression Sack

The campsites at Berg Lake are at an elevation of 1650m (5400ft) and it can be cold up there any time of year. Pack a lightweight and compressible sleeping bag rated at least 5C/41F but preferably more like -10C/23F. Choose one with a hood for extra warmth. Make sure you pack your sleeping bag inside a compression sack so it takes up less space in your pack.

I recommend: I sleep cold so on the Berg Lake Trail I chose to bring my winter sleeping bag, the Therm-a-Rest Oberon. Check prices: MEC | Amazon | Backcountry. It was overkill, but I was definitely warm! I like the Outdoor Research Ultralight Compression sacks and they come in lots of sizes. Buy: MEC |  Outdoor Research | Amazon.

Sleeping Pad

Even the warmest sleeping bag can’t protect you from the cold, hard ground. You’ll need a sleeping pad for that. Choose one that is compact, lightweight and has an R value of at least 2.5. (R value measures insulation and warmth). If you expect cold weather or know you feel the cold at night, pick a pad with an even higher R value.

I recommend: I use a Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xtherm since I sleep really cold. Check prices: REI | Amazon. My husband likes his NeoAir XLite which weighs less but isn’t quite as warm. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

Pillow (Optional)

You can use a bunched up jacket as a pillow, but bring a compact camping pillow to save your neck.

I recommend: I use a simple MEC inflatable pillow. For a slightly more deluxe experience check out the Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Premium. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

Ear Plugs (Optional)

Some of the tent pads are very close to each other or to the trail. If you’re a light sleeper, ear plugs are a must.

I recommend: Bring a few pairs of cheap foam earplugs. You’re bound to lose some so it’s good to have extras. I like the contoured ones since I find they fit in my ears better.

READ NEXT: How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips

Clothing

Hiking pants or tights (1 pair)

Choose quick-drying hiking pants made of nylon or polyester (and maybe with a bit of spandex for stretch). My husband likes convertible pants that zip off into shorts, but I don’t find them that comfortable. Like a lot of women, I sometimes hike in running tights.

I recommend: I love my MEC Terrena Stretch pants. I also like the Prana Halle Pants. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon. For guys, my husband recommends the MEC Mica Pants. If you like convertible pants, the Prana Stretch Zions are a great option. Check prices REI | Amazon.

READ NEXT: 12 Best Women’s Hiking Pants (Picks for Every Body Type)

Shorts (1 pair)

The Berg Lake trail starts at a lower elevation so the first part of the trail can be much warmer. And unless you hike very early or late in the season, it will likely be warm enough for shorts at the lake on sunny days. You may want a pair of quick drying hiking shorts for this type of weather.

I recommend: The Black Diamond Valley Shorts are my favourite hiking shorts. Check prices: Black Diamond | Amazon. They’re really lightweight, dry quickly and aren’t too short. They also come in a men’s version. Check prices: Black Diamond | Amazon.

Tank tops or t-shirts (1 or 2)

I usually hike in quick-drying workout t-shirts or tanks and I brought 2 to Berg Lake. You could also bring a couple button up trekking shirts. If your trip is shorter you can just bring one shirt, but for trips over 3 days I like to bring two shirts and alternate between them so they can air out.

I recommend: I love the Patagaonia Nine Trails shirt since it looks like a regular t-shirt but wicks sweat and resists odours. Check prices: REI | Patagonia. But any old quick dry workout t-shirt will do. You can pick them up for cheap at big box stores or mall stores.

Long sleeved shirt (1)

A long sleeved shirt is a good layer for sun protection or for a bit more warmth on cold mornings. I prefer to wear a long sleeved shirt with buttons or a zip neck so that I have venting options.

I recommend: Look for a long sleeved zip-neck or button up with UPF sun protection. In warmer weather I like a button up trekking shirt and in colder weather I wear a zip neck base layer like the Patagonia Capilene Midweight. Check prices: MEC | Patagonia | REI.

Fleece Jacket or Light Weight Puffy Jacket

At high elevations or on cold mornings you will need a warm layer to hike in. Pack a fleece jacket or a lightweight puffy jacket that you can layer on over a t-shirt and under your rain jacket. If you hike to Berg Lake in June or September, opt for a warmer puffy.

I recommend: I have a MEC Rockwall Midlayer fleece that absolutely love. It’s so soft on the inside. I often pair it with my MEC Boundary Light Down Vest for extra warmth It packs down really small. My husband loves his Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket. For a synthetic puffy it’s really light and warm. It comes in a women’s version too. Check prices: MEC | REI | Patagonia | Amazon.

Rain jacket

You definitely should pack a rain jacket for the Berg Lake trail since it can rain or snow at any time. Mount Robson makes its own weather! And even if it doesn’t rain, a jacket is great for blocking the wind. Bring a waterproof breathable rain jacket designed for hiking – preferably one with pit zips for venting.

I recommend: My husband and I both really love our 3 layer Gore Tex MEC Synergy Jackets. If you want something lighter and more compact, the Outdoor Research Helium II is a great option. Check prices: Outdoor Research | REI | Amazon. I also have a MEC Flash Cloud Jacket that I bring on summer trips. It’s really tiny but still Gore Tex!

Rain Pants

Pack a pair of waterproof breathable rain pants that you can easily layer over top of your hiking pants.  I like ones with side zippers for venting that are easy to put on and take off without removing your shoes.

I recommend: I have the MEC Hydrofoil Stretch Rain Pants. They have side zips, which are great for venting. The Outdoor Research Helium Pants are much lighter because they don’t have zips. Check prices: Outdoor Research | REI | Amazon.

Long Underwear

It gets cold up high in the mountains, especially at night so make sure you pack some warm long underwear, also known as a base layer. Choose mid-weight long underwear made of polyester or merino wool and be sure to pack both long underwear bottoms and a long sleeved top.

I recommend: I sleep cold so I wear a MEC T3 base layer top with a hood and matching bottoms. My husband likes Patagonia’s Capilene Midweight long underwear. Check prices: REI | Patagonia.

Sports bra

You don’t need a ton of support for trekking, so try to choose a bra without a lot of fabric layers that will take a long time to dry.

I recommend: I really like the Knixwear bras for trekking since they are super lightweight, don’t absorb too much moisture and are seamless so they don’t chafe. They offer enough support for my larger chest when I adjust the straps to cross back.

If you are smaller chested, check out the Patagonia Barely Bra. Check prices: MEC | Patagonia | REI.

Underwear (2 or 3 pairs)

I like to bring two kinds of underwear on long trips: two or three pairs of quick drying synthetic underwear for trekking and one pair of comfortable cotton underwear for wearing at night. Seamless underwear will be way more comfortable for hiking in, since they prevent chafing. Many of the guys I hike with swear by boxer briefs with a built in pouch to prevent their package from rubbing the inner thighs.

I recommend: I wear Patagonia’s Active underwear because they’re seamless and don’t chafe when I’m sweaty. Check prices: REI | Patagonia. The guys I hike with can’t stop talking about how much they love Saxx boxer briefs. Check prices: MEC | REI.

Read my guide to hiking underwear for more quick-dry underwear picks as well as advice on how to choose the best hiking underwear.

Warm Hat

Americans call it a beanie. Canadians call it a toque. No matter what you call it, don’t forget to pack a warm hat on your hike to Berg Lake. Bring a fleece or wool one that covers your ears

Sun Hat and Sunglasses

The sun can be harsh at high elevations, especially above the tree line so you may want to bring a wide brimmed hat or baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses to give you a bit of protection.

I recommend: My go to hiking hat is the Sunday Afternoons NorthWest Trucker. Check prices: Amazon | Backcountry. I like to wear polarized sunglasses as they cut let you see colours that are truer to reality than what you get with regular sunglasses. I like Sunskis since they have fun frame options and they aren’t too expensive for polarized glasses. Check prices: REI | Amazon.

Gloves

Simple fleece or wool gloves will be enough to keep your hands warm at high elevations or on cold mornings. But if you are trekking in the winter or feel the cold easily, insulated ski gloves are a better bet.

I recommend: I like wind resistant gloves since they’re a bit warmer when wet. Check prices: MEC | REI.

Neck Gaiter or Buff (Optional)

When I was trekking in Nepal my guide Chandra swore that you stayed warmer if you kept your ears covered and he often used a buff as a headband to warm his ears. It turns out that advice works well in the Canadian mountains too! You can also wear a buff around your neck or even as a hat.

I recommend: I bring a merino wool buff on all my hikes and was happy I packed it for the Berg Lake Trail. Check prices: MEC | REI.

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Footwear

Hiking Boots

The Berg Lake Trail is mostly on well trodden paths so you don’t need heavy duty mountaineering boots. However, some sections can be muddy, especially when it’s rainy. Wear supportive hiking boots and make sure they are waterproof. If you prefer the ankle support of higher cut boots, bring them as they will be handy for all the descending you’ll do on the trip back down. I wore mid-cut boots and was fine. The most important thing is to bring boots that you’ve already worn already and that are comfortable. You really want to take care of your feet.

I recommend: I love my Salmon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX Boots. (I wore them on the Berg Lake Trail and have worn them on pretty much every backpacking trip in the past few years). Check prices: MEC | REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon.

Camp Shoes (Optional)

Pack a lightweight pair of slip on sandals, flats or Crocs for around camp. You’ll want a break from your boots at the end of each day. If you choose to bring camp shoes, pick ones that are light and don’t take up too much room in your pack. I like to bring shoes that I can wear with socks for extra warmth. (Flip flops don’t work so well for that!)

I recommend: The foam camp shoes I use are discontinued, but they are similar to Native Shoes Jeffersons. I like that they have a closed toe and are super lightweight.

Socks (2 or 3 pairs)

Keeping your feet happy on a hike is super important. Pack 2 or 3 pairs of wool and synthetic blend socks that fit well. I also prefer to wear liner socks since they can help reduce the rubbing that can cause blisters. Try your socks and boots at home before your trek to make sure they don’t cause any problems.

I recommend: I’m a recent convert to wearing Darn Tough socks. They’re comfortable and seem to last forever. I wear the Light Hiker Micro Crew. Check prices: MEC | REI |Darn Tough Socks. For liners I love Injinji toe socks since they help prevent blisters between your toes. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

READ NEXT: How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking

Gaiters (Optional)

If there is heavy rain in the forecast some people like to bring gaiters to keep water and mud out of your boots. I didn’t bring gaiters on the Berg Lake trail. We had one day with heavy rain and snow and if I had brought gaiters, I would have worn them.

I recommend: I have basic Gore Tex gaiters from MEC. REI also makes good entry level waterproof breathable gaiters.

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Toiletries, First Aid and Safety

Toothpaste and Toothbrush

There’s a grey water pit at each campsite that you can use for your dish water and tooth brushing. But remember to use your own filtered or treated water to brush your teeth.

Deodorant and Wet Wipes

You’ll be getting sweaty every day. Bring a small travel sized deodorant and some wet wipes for having a quick sponge bath at the end of the day.

I recommend: I used to use specialized face wipes from the beauty section of the drug store, but then I realized baby wipes are waaay cheaper. Before each trip I pull a bunch out of the package, fold them up into little squares, then put then in a ziploc bag with all the air squeezed out. They stay moist for weeks that way.

Sunscreen and Lip Balm

The harsh sun at high elevations can give you a sunburn in just a few minutes. Pack sunscreen and SPF lip balm to protect yourself.

I recommend: I like Neutrogena sport sunscreen since it is oil free. I use Blistex lip balms. They have an SPF rating of 15 (so you have to reapply often) but they don’t feel too waxy like some others I’ve tried.

Bug Spray and/or Head Net

If you’re hiking in June or July, the mosquitos can be fierce. Bring bug spray or a head net.

I recommend: I like to wear a head net since I don’t like putting chemicals on my face. Be sure to pack a baseball cap or wide brimmed hat to wear underneath – it keeps the netting off your face. Check prices: MEC | Amazon

Hair Brush and Hair Ties

If you’ve got long hair, you know why you need these.

Contact Solution and Spare Lenses

If you wear contacts, be sure to pack contact solution and extra lens. On cold nights, sleep with your contact case inside your sleeping bag to keep them from freezing.

Toilet Paper and Hand Sanitizer

There are outhouses at every campsite, but toilet paper isn’t supplied. Bring your own packed inside a Ziploc bag to keep it dry.  Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer to clean your hands after you use the toilet and before you eat.

Menstrual Supplies

If you expect your period on the trail, be sure to pack your favourite menstrual supplies. Learn more about how to camp and hike while on your period.

First Aid Kit

You should pack a small first aid kit. Make sure it includes bandages, gauze, medical tape and a compression bandage for sprains.  You’ll also want to have lots of foot care supplies such as Moleskin or Second Skin for blisters. (Check out my full list of blister care and prevention tips and tricks.) Bring anti-inflammatory painkillers like Advil, and anti-diarrhea pills like Immodium just in case. And of course don’t forget your usual prescription medications.

Your first aid kit should also contain stuff to help repair your gear in case you have any problems. We packed a small multi-tool and some duct tape.

I recommend: I like the Adventure Medical Ultralight first aid kits since they come in a water resistant pouch. I always add more stuff to them, like more blister care and bandaids. Check prices: MEC | REI. A multi-tool with a knife, pliers and scissors is always handy. I like the Leatherman Squirt because it’s small. Check prices: MEC | REI

Bear Spray

The Canadian Rockies are home to both black bears and grizzly bears. While both species tend to stay away from the trail, bears are occasionally spotted. Carry bear spray and make lots of noise when hiking. I’ve got lots more tips for hiking and camping in bear country.

Electronics

Camera

Berg Lake is spectacular and you’ll want to make sure you have a good way to take photos. Of course you can bring your phone to use as a camera, but you may want to bring a stand alone camera or GoPro. (There’s no cell service at Berg Lake.)

I recommend: I brought my Sony A6000. It’s a mirrorless camera which is more compact than a full DSLR but still produces high quality images. I find it easy to use, plus it’s not that expensive. Buy: Amazon.

Headlamp and Extra Batteries

Bring a headlamp to find your way around after dark.

I recommend: I use a Petzl Actik. It’s super bright and easy to use. Plus the batteries last a long time on low power. Buy: MEC | REI | Backcountry.com.

Power Bank (Optional)

If you’re bringing a lot of electronics (phone, camera, GPS, etc.), you’ll need a way to keep them all charged.

I recommend: Bring a power bank that has enough storage to charge your devices at least once, but isn’t too big and heavy. The size you choose will depend on how many devices you bring, but at least 2,500mAh capacity or larger is probably a good idea. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

Lantern (Optional)

If you stay at a campsite with a shelter (Berg Lake, Kinney Lake, or Whitehorn), you might want to bring a small battery powered lantern. They throw better light than a headlamp and create a cozy atmosphere for cooking, playing cards or hanging out.

I recommend: I have an older Black Diamond Apollo lantern. Check prices: MEC | REI | Black Diamond. If you’re looking for something super small yet bright AND solar powered, the Luci lanterns are really cool. Check prices: REI | Amazon.

Cooking Gear

Stove, Fuel, and Lighter

Fires aren’t allowed on the Berg Lake Trail so you will need to do all your cooking on a backpacking stove. Bring a lightweight and compact stove and remember to bring enough fuel for your trip. Don’t forget a lighter!

I recommend: The Snow Peak Giga stove is incredibly lightweight and compact. Check prices: REI | Amazon.

Cooking Pot

Choose lightweight camping pots. Unless you are making elaborate meals, you probably just need one pot.

I recommend: We use a Primus Primetech pot that has a built in heat exchanger that optimizes fuel consumption and protects the flame from the wind. Check prices: Altitude Sports | Amazon | Backcountry.

Bowl

Bring a lightweight bowl to eat out of.

I recommend: I like the Sea to Summit X Bowls since they are collapsible and I can store them inside my cooking pot. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

Mug

You’ll want hot drinks to warm you up on cold evenings. A double-wall insulated mug keeps your drinks warm for longer.

I recommend: After years of being jealous of my husband’s, I recently upgraded to a fancy Snow Peak Titanium mug with double walls. So light! So warm! Check prices: MEC REI | Amazon.

Knife and Utensils

Bring a sharp knife for cutting, plus a spoon and fork for eating. Or get a spork – they do double duty!

I recommend: I love my Snow Peak Titanium spork. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon. I use a basic Gerber folding knife. Check prices: REI | Amazon.

Dishwashing Supplies

We carry a small pot scraper, a tiny microfibre cloth and some biodegradable soap. Use soap sparingly and be sure to pour your dish water into the grey water pits at each campground. Don’t put soapy water directly into streams since even biodegradable soap isn’t safe to go directly into the water.

I recommend: The GSI compact scraper has a hard edge for scraping stuck on stuff and a spatula-like edge for scraping softer stuff. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon. We use Sea to Summit Pocket Wilderness Wash for really greasy dishes. They come in little soap sheets that are much less messy than liquid. Check prices: MEC

READ NEXT: Beyond Oatmeal: 6 Hot Backpacking Breakfasts

Food and Water

Water Treatment

Drinking untreated water is a sure-fire way to get sick. Make sure you filter or treat all water on the Berg Lake Trail.

I recommend: We brought our Platypus Gravityworks filter. It is really easy to use since there’s no pumping or squeezing. You just hang it up and let it drip through. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

Water Bottles

Bring a couple of water bottles or a hydration reservoir. There are streams at regular intervals along the trail so you won’t need to carry more than 1.5 or 2 litres at a time.

I recommend: I use a Platypus Big Zip hydration reservoir so I can keep drinking as I hike. Check prices: MEC

Food

Bring lots of high calorie food that is lightweight and compact. Don’t forget the snacks! You’ll burn more calories hiking than on a usual day so don’t be afraid to pack a little extra.

I recommend: Check out my tips for choosing the best backpacking meals and my guide to making cheap backpacking meals with grocery store ingredients.

Food Bag

You’ll be storing your food inside big metal lockers and you’ll need to share the space with all the other campers. Bring a lightweight stuff sack to keep your food contained and organized.

I recommend: I used the SealLine Bulkhead View dry bags. They’re waterproof, they have a purge valve to squeeze out excess air and the window makes it easier to figure out what’s inside. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon.

Optional Extra Gear

Trekking Poles

The Berg Lake Trail has a lot of steep ascents and descents. Trekking poles can be really helpful for saving your joints on the downhills.

I recommend: I brought my Black Diamond Trail trekking poles and was really happy to have them. Check prices: MEC | REI | Amazon | Black Diamond.

Tripod or Selfie Stick

The photography opportunities at Berg Lake are epic. I wish I had brought my tripod!

I recommend: If you’re trying to go really light, get a Joby Gorillapod mini tripod. It’s lightweight and compact, plus its easy to attach to just about anything. You can also get an adapter that lets you use it with your phone. Check prices: REI | Amazon. I also have a Sirui T-025X Carbon Fiber full-sized tripod that I wished I had brought. Check prices: Amazon

Entertainment for Camp

You’ll have a few hours each night in camp when you’ll need to entertain yourself. Consider bringing a book or some headphones to listen to music or podcasts. The campsites with shelters can be really social so a deck of cards or a compact game can be a good way to meet new friends.

I recommend: I always travel with my Amazon Kindle eReader so I have hundreds of books to choose from. We’ve brought the card game Exploding Kittens on a few backpacking trips and it’s always a hit.

Seat Cushion or Ultralight Chair

After a long day on the trail, sitting on the cold ground or a hard picnic table bench to make dinner doesn’t sound that nice.

I recommend: I have a simple folding foam pad from Thermarest. Check prices: MEC | Amazon. Recently we picked up some ultralight Helinox Chair Ones. They weigh 1kg, which is light enough to bring on some backpacking trips. It’s up to you if you want to carry the extra weight (My husband almost always decides its worth it. I only carry a chair sometimes.) Check prices: MEC | Amazon

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Stuff You Don’t Need to Pack for the Berg Lake Trail

Here’s my list of stuff you don’t need and shouldn’t pack for your Berg Lake Trail hike:

• Climbing gear: The trails are non-technical and you won’t need harnesses, ropes, crampons, etc. However, if you do plan to climb some of the peaks nearby, you will need climbing gear, plus the knowledge of how to use it.
• Hammocks: They aren’t allowed on the trail since they can damage trees.
• Tons of outfit changes: Everyone else will be wearing the same stinky clothes over and over, so you can too. Plus it’s just too heavy to pack an outfit for every day.
• Portable speakers: Most people come to Berg Lake to appreciate the sounds of nature and prefer not to hear your music. The campsites can also be really close together, so you’ll want to keep the noise down.
• Saw or axe: Campfires aren’t allowed in the park so you won’t need to chop wood. Two of the campsites have wood stoves that can be used in an emergency, but they also come with an axe so you don’t need to bring your own.
• Your dog: Dogs are permitted on leash on day hikes in the park, but they aren’t allowed on overnight trips.

READ NEXT: Berg Lake Trail: The Ultimate Hiking Guide

Have you hiked to Berg Lake? Is there anything you’d add or remove from this list? Let me know in the comments.

MORE CANADA POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Berg Lake Trail
• Your Guide to Camping and Hiking at Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park
• How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip
• Your Guide to the Best Hot Springs in Canada
• Your Guide to the West Coast Trail in British Columbia

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• 20+ Ways to Reduce Your Backpack Weight
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• How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips
• 12 Best Women’s Hiking Pants (Picks for Every Body Type)
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The post What to Pack for the Berg Lake Trail appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Essentials to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Trekking Permits

You need a TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card and a ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) trekking permit to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You will need to show these permits at a few checkpoints along the trail. Pack them inside a Ziploc bag to protect them.

Cash

If you are taking a package tour with a guide, you won’t need to bring much cash since your accommodation and meals are covered. You might want to pack a few hundred rupees per day for snacks or hot showers. If you are trekking independently you will need enough rupees to pay for all your meals and accommodations for your whole trek – plan on about 3000-3500 Nepali rupees per person per day. There are no banks or ATMs anywhere on the trek.

Map and Guide Book

You’ll want to plan out your route each day, especially since there are lots of options for getting to Annapurna Base Camp. Even if you hire a guide (and I think you should), pack a map and a guidebook to help you choose your route (and make sure you don’t get lost). If the guidebook is too heavy, you can buy an electronic copy or just take photos of the relevant pages and look at the on your phone.

I recommend: Buy your maps in Kathmandu or Pokhara. The best guidebook I’ve found is Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya 10th Ed. (Looking for things to do in Pokhara before or after your trek? Here’s a great guide to Pokhara.)

READ NEXT: Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp

Backpacks and Bags to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Backpack

You’ll want to pack all your gear for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek inside a backpack. Something between 35 and 55L is probably a good size. Be sure to do a test pack at home to make sure all your gear fits. If you don’t plan to hire a porter, make sure you choose a backpack that fits you well and is comfortable to carry.

I recommend: My husband and I both used Boreas Lost Coast 60 backpacks on the trek. We love this pack, but sadly it’s discontinued. I also like my Gregory Jade 53 and it also comes in a smaller 38L size. The men’s version is the Zulu. 

Day Pack (Needed If You Hire a Porter)

If you are going to use a porter on your trek, the porter will carry your big backpack (or provide you with a duffle to pack your stuff inside) and you’ll need to carry a smaller day pack on the trail every day. Choose one that’s about 20L in size: big enough to carry water, a first aid kit, snacks and extra clothes in case it warms up or cools down.

I recommend: I use my Gregory Maya 22 day pack for most of my day hikes and I would have brought it to Annapurna Base Camp if we had hired a porter. It’s a women’s specific pack. The men’s equivalent is the Miwok 24.

Duffle Bag with Lock

You probably brought a bunch of clothes and other stuff to Nepal that you don’t want to bring on your trek. Bring a collapsible duffle bag with a lock so you can leave your extra stuff with your hotel in Pokhara.

I recommend: I used an airline tote that is designed to protect your backpack when you check it on the plane, but then can double as a duffle to store your stuff. Osprey makes good airline totes. Bring some simple travel locks to deter theft. 

Stuff Sacks and Organizers

To stay organized I like to pack my gear in a combination of different sized stuff sacks. I also bring lots of Ziploc freezer bags to keep wet gear separated and keep electronics dry and protected.

Rain Protection

If your gear gets wet, it can really ruin your trip. I trekked to Annapurna Base Camp at the end of monsoon season and it rained a lot. I brought a rain cover for my backpack and also brought a couple big black garbage bags to wrap up gear inside my pack. You can also protect your gear from rain the Nepali way: with plastic sheeting.

I recommend: Some packs come with a custom sized rain cover. If yours didn’t, buy a lightweight silnylon rain cover that fits your pack well.

Clothing to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Hiking pants or tights (1 or 2)

Choose quick-drying hiking pants made of nylon or polyester (and maybe with a bit of spandex for stretch). My husband likes convertible pants that zip off into shorts, but I don’t find them that comfortable. Like a lot of women, I sometimes hike in running tights. If you do choose to wear tights in Nepal, respect the local culture by wearing them with a longer top that covers your crotch and butt. You can get away with one pair of pants, but you’ll be happier with two so you can air one pair out while wearing the other.

I recommend: I love my MEC Terrena Stretch pants. I also like the Prana Halle Pants. For guys, my husband recommends the MEC Mica Pants. If you like convertible pants, the Prana Stretch Zions are a great option.

Shorts (optional)

Most treks in Nepal start at a low elevation in the humid jungle. Unless you are trekking in the winter, you’ll likely have a few very hot days. You may want a pair of quick drying hiking shorts for this type of weather. Bring shorts that hit just above the knee: short shorts are a no-no in Nepal.

I recommend: It’s easy to find longer length hiking shorts for guys, but it can be a challenge for women. The Black Diamond Valley Shorts are my favourite hiking shorts. They’re really lightweight, dry quickly and aren’t too short. The Prana Halle Shorts are another great option for longer length women’s shorts.

T-shirts (2)

I usually hike in quick-drying workout t-shirts and I brought 2 to Nepal. You could also bring a couple button up trekking shirts. I did bring a tank top to Nepal but mostly wore it as a layer under a long-sleeved shirt since tank tops are a bit too revealing in Nepali culture.

I recommend: Any old quick dry workout t-shirt will do. You can pick them up for cheap at big box stores or mall stores.

Long sleeved shirt (1)

A long sleeved shirt is a good layer for sun protection or for a bit more warmth on cold mornings. Ones with buttons or a zip neck are great so that you have venting options.

I recommend: Look for a long sleeved zip-neck or button up with UPF sun protection. I actually like to wear long sleeved zip-neck base layer tops like the MEC T1 Long Sleeved Zip T.

Fleece Jacket or Light Weight Puffy Jacket

At high elevations or on cold mornings you will need a warm layer to hike in. Pack a fleece jacket or a lightweight puffy jacket that you can layer on over a t-shirt and under your rain jacket.

I recommend: I love my down MEC Spicy Hoodie. It’s super lightweight and compressible. My husband loves his Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket. For a synthetic puffy it’s really light and warm. It comes in a women’s version too. Buy: REI | Patagonia.

Warm Puffy Jacket (Optional)

If you get cold easily, or if you’re trekking in the colder months you’ll want a big warm, puffy jacket to wear at night in the teahouses or when taking breaks. This jacket should be extra warm, much warmer than the lighter weight puffy you pack. Pick a jacket that is compressible so it won’t take up too much room in your pack. If you’re hiring a trekking guide, they may have big puffy jackets available for rent.

I recommend: I didn’t pack a huge puffy jacket for Annapurna Base Camp since I didn’t trek during cold weather. Ask your trekking agency about renting a jacket or buy one in Kathmandu.

Rain jacket

You definitely should pack a rain jacket for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, even if you don’t visit in the monsoon season. It can rain or snow at anytime in the mountains, and even if it doesn’t a rain jacket is great for blocking the wind. Bring a waterproof breathable rain jacket designed for hiking – preferably one with pit zips for venting.

I recommend: We really love our 3 layer Gore Tex MEC Synergy Jackets. If you want something lighter and more compact, the Outdoor Research Helium II is a great option. Buy: Outdoor Research | REI.

Rain Pants

Pack a pair of waterproof breathable rain pants that you can easily layer over top of your hiking pants.  I like ones with side zippers for venting that are easy to put on and take off without removing your shoes.

I recommend: I have the MEC Hydrofoil Rain Pants. They have full length side zips so they aren’t as light as the popular Outdoor Research Helium Pants. Buy: Outdoor Research | REI.

Long Underwear

It gets cold up high in the mountains, especially at night so make sure you pack some warm long underwear, also known as a base layer. You can wear them as pyjamas at night or as a warm layer under your trekking clothes during the day. Choose mid-weight long underwear made of polyester or merino wool and be sure to pack both long underwear bottoms and a long sleeved top.

I recommend: I sleep cold so I wear a MEC T3 base layer top with a hood and matching bottoms. My husband likes Patagonia’s Capilene Midweight long underwear. Buy: REI | Patagonia.

Sports bras (2)

Bring two sports bras so you can wear one and air out the other. You don’t need a ton of support for trekking, so try to choose a bra without a lot of fabric layers that will take a long time to dry.

I recommend: I really like the Knixwear bras for trekking since they are super lightweight, don’t absorb too much moisture and are seamless so they don’t chafe. They offer enough support for my larger chest when I adjust the straps to cross back.

Underwear (3 or 4 pairs)

I like to bring two kinds of underwear on long trips: two or three pairs of quick drying synthetic underwear for trekking and one pair of comfortable cotton underwear for wearing at night. Seamless underwear will be way more comfortable for hiking in, since they prevent chafing. Many of the guys I hike with swear by boxer brief with a built in pouch to prevent their package from rubbing the inner thighs.

I recommend: I wear Patagonia’s Active underwear because they’re seamless and don’t chafe when I’m sweaty. Buy: REI | Patagonia. The guys I hike with can’t stop talking about how much they love Saxx boxer briefs. Buy: REI | Amazon.

Warm Hat

Americans call it a beanie. Canadians call it a toque. No matter what you call it, don’t forget to pack a warm hat on your Annapurna Base Camp trek. Bring one that covers your ears.

I recommend: Buy a hand knitted hat in Nepal. You’ll be supporting the locals and get a great souvenir.

Sun Hat and Sunglasses

The sun can be harsh at high elevations, especially above the tree line so you may want to bring a wide brimmed hat or baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses to give you a bit of protection.

I recommend: I like to wear polarized sunglasses as they cut let you see colours that are truer to reality than what you get with regular sunglasses. I like Sunskis since they have fun frame options and they aren’t too expensive for polarized glasses. 

Gloves

Simple fleece or wool gloves will be enough to keep your hands warm at high elevations or on cold mornings. But if you are trekking in the winter or feel the cold easily, insulated ski gloves are a better bet.

I recommend: I like wind resistant gloves since they’re a bit warmer when wet.

Neck Gaiter or Buff (Optional)

When I was trekking my guide Chandra swore that you stayed warmer if you kept your ears covered and he often used a buff as a headband to warm his ears. You can also wear a buff around your neck or even as a hat.

I recommend: I bring a merino wool buff on all my hikes and was happy I packed it for Annapurna Base Camp. 

Bathing Suit (Optional)

There are lots of route options for reaching Annapurna Base Camp, but many of them include a visit to Jhinu Danda hot springs. Women should pack a bathing suit for the springs but men can just wear their trekking shorts (or bring board shorts instead of trekking shorts). Women should pack a bathing suit that’s a bit more modest (a one piece or tankini without a plunging neckline) so you don’t offend the locals.

Casual clothing for wearing at the Teahouses (Optional)

When you’re relaxing at the teahouse each evening you might not feel like wearing your sweaty trekking clothes. Consider packing a lightweight change of clothes to wear at the tea house. (Or just do what I did and wear your long johns as pants).

READ NEXT: 6 Reasons You Should Hire a Trekking Guide in Nepal

Footwear to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Hiking Boots

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is mostly on well trodden paths and stone stairs so you don’t need heavy duty mountaineering boots. Regular hiking boots are fine. If you prefer the ankle support of higher cut boots, bring them as they will be handy for all the descending you’ll do on the trip back down. I wore mid-cut boots and was quite comfortable in them. The most important thing is to bring boots that you’ve already worn already and that are comfortable. You really want to take care of your feet.

I recommend: For mid-cut boots I love my Salmon X Ultra Mid GTX Boots. (I wore them in Nepal). Buy: REI | Backcountry.com | Amazon. When I want full ankle support, I wear my Scarpa Kailash boots. Buy: Backcountry.com |
Amazon.

Sandals

Pack a lightweight pair of slip on sandals, Crocs or flip flops for wearing in the shower and to visit the toilet in the middle of the night. You’ll want a break from your boots each day so they are also great to wear inside the teahouses.

Socks (2 or 3 pairs)

Keeping your feet happy on a trek is super important. Pack 2 or 3 pairs of wool and synthetic blend socks that fit well. I also prefer to wear liner socks since they can help reduce the rubbing that can cause blisters. Try your socks and boots at home before your trek to make sure they don’t cause any problems.

I recommend: I’m a recent convert to wearing Darn Tough socks. They’re comfortable and seem to last forever. I wear the Light Hiker Micro Crew. Buy: REI |Darn Tough Socks.

Sleeping Gear to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Sleeping Bag and Compression Sack (Optional)

You don’t need to pack a sleeping bag on the Annapurna Base Camp trek, but you may want to bring one anyway. All of the teahouses provide thick synthetic comforters (which they call blankets), but they can run out in high season. The teahouses aren’t heated so even if you do get there early enough to get a blanket, you might still be cold. Pack a lightweight and compressible sleeping bag rated at least 0C/32F but preferably more like -10C/14F. Choose one with a hood for extra warmth. Make sure you pack your sleeping bag inside a compression sack so it takes up less space in your pack. If you are using a guide, the trekking company may have sleeping bags available to rent.

Sleeping Bag Liner and Pillowcase (Optional)

I didn’t pack a sleeping bag liner on my trek, and it’s the number one thing I wish I had brought. The tea house beds come with a foam mattress, fitted sheet, a pillow, a pillowcase and a thick blanket, but they’re aren’t washed very often and sometimes didn’t smell that clean. If you bring your own sleeping bag liner and pillowcase you won’t have to put your skin into direct contact with the teahouse linens.

I recommend: I’ll definitely be picking up a lightweight sleeping bag liner before my next trek.

Ear Plugs

The teahouses have VERY thin walls. If you’re a light sleeper, ear plugs are a must. You never know when you’ll be put in a room next to an epically loud snorer.

I recommend: Bring a few pairs of cheap foam earplugs. You’re bound to lose some so it’s good to have extras. I like the contoured ones since I find they fit in my ears better.

Toiletries and First Aid to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Soap, Shampoo and Conditioner

All of the teahouses have showers so you will want to bring travel sized bottles of soap, shampoo and conditioner so you can wash up. Cold showers are always available and are usually free. Hot showers are often available for a price.

Travel Towel

The teahouses don’t supply towels so you’ll need to pack your own. Choose a quick-drying super absorbent microfibre towel.

I recommend: I have the PackTowl Personal Towel in both face cloth and body towel sizes.

Toothpaste and Toothbrush

There’s usually a communal sink outside the toilet where you can brush your teeth. But remember to use your own filtered or treated water.

Deodorant and Wet Wipes

You’ll be spending up to 10 days on the trail getting sweaty every day. Bring a small travel sized deodorant and some wet wipes for having a quick sponge bath on days you don’t shower.

Sunscreen, Lip Balm and Moisturizer

The harsh sun at high elevations can give you a sunburn in just a few minutes. (I forgot to put sunscreen on the backs of my hands and ended up with a wicked sunburn after only 45 minutes of exposure.) Pack sunscreen and SPF lip balm to protect yourself. The cold air and wind can also dry out your skin so you might also want to pack a small bottle of moisturizer.

I recommend: I like Neutrogena sport sunscreen since it is oil free. I use Blistex lip balms. They have an SPF rating of 15 (so you have to reapply often) but they don’t feel too waxy like some others I’ve tried.

Hair Brush and Hair Ties

If you’ve got long hair, you know why you need these.

Contact Solution and Spare Lenses

If you wear contacts, be sure to pack contact solution and extra lens. On cold nights, sleep with your contact case inside your sleeping bag to keep them from freezing.

Tampons or Pads

If you menstruate, pack some tampons or pads just in case. They aren’t available for sale anywhere along the trek (as one blogger unfortunately found out!)

Toilet Paper and Hand Sanitizer

There will be no toilet paper along the route since Nepalis don’t use it: They use their left hand and some water.You’ll need to pack some inside a Ziploc bag to keep it dry. You can buy toilet paper at teahouses and shops along the trek, or stock up ahead of time in Pokhara. Sometimes the communal wash sinks come with soap, but they often don’t so it’s a good idea to pack a small bottle of hand sanitizer to clean your hands after you use the toilet and before you eat.

First Aid Kit

You should pack a small first aid kit. Make sure it includes bandages, gauze, medical tape and a compression bandage for strains or sprains.  You’ll also want to have lots of foot care supplies such as Moleskin or Second Skin for blisters. It’s also a good idea to pack some nail clippers. Your first aid kit should also contain stuff to help repair your gear in case you have any problems. We packed a small multi-tool and some duct tape.

I recommend: I like the Adventure Medical Ultralight first aid kits since they come in a water resistant pouch. I always add more stuff to them, like more blister care and bandaids.

A multi-tool with a knife, pliers and scissors is always handy. I like the Leatherman Wave.

Medication

Don’t forget to pack any prescription medication. Medication of any kind is not generally available on the trek and may be hard to find in Pokhara. Make sure you pack a good supply of anti-inflammatory painkillers like Advil. Getting sick on the trail is surprisingly common so pack cough and cold medication just in case. If you end up with an upset stomach on the trail (like I did), you’ll be happy to have anti-nausea meds like Gravol and anti-diarrhea pills like Immodium.

Visit a travel clinic before you leave home and talk to your doctor about whether you want to get a prescription for Diamox to help with altitude sickness symptoms. (Annapurna Base Camp isn’t that high compared to many other treks in Nepal, but it’s still at 4100m, MUCH higher than you are used to.) A travel clinic can also write you a prescription for antibiotics to help with traveller’s diarrhea. I was really glad to have those pills on my trek!

READ NEXT: 8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going Trekking in Nepal

Electronics to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Mobile Phone and Charger

Most of us take our phones everywhere and Annapurna Base Camp is no exception. Most of the teahouses have wifi if you want to stay connected.

Nepali SIM Card (Optional)

There is excellent phone reception on almost the whole trek. If you trek during high season you may want to get a Nepali SIM card so you can call ahead to guest houses each day and reserve a bed.

Camera, Memory Cards and Charger or Batteries

The Himalayas are spectacular and you’ll want to make sure you have a good way to take photos. Many mobile phones take great photos, but you may want to bring a stand alone camera or even a GoPro.

I recommend: I brought my Sony A6000. It’s a mirrorless which is more compact than a full DSLR but still produces high quality images. I find it easy to use, plus it’s not that expensive. 

Headlamp and Extra Batteries

Electricity is unreliable in Nepal, especially in the mountains. There’s often no lights at night so you’ll want to bring a headlamp to navigate around the teahouse in the dark.

I recommend: I use a Petzl Actik. It’s super bright and easy to use. Plus the batteries last a long time on low power. Buy: REI | Backcountry.com.

Power Bank

Sometimes you will get electrical outlets in your room, but more often there will be communal outlets in the teahouse dining room, and often you’ll have to pay to use them. If you have a few different devices to charge, it can be easier to bring a power bank so you can charge that in the dining room, then use the power bank to charge your other devices later.

I recommend: Bring a power bank that has enough storage to charge your devices at least once, but isn’t too big and heavy. The size you choose will depend on how many devices you bring, but at least 5,000mAh capacity or larger is probably a good idea. 

Plug Adapter

The plugs in Nepal may not work with your plugs from home so it’s a good idea to pack an adapter. Nepal primarily uses Type C plugs (Euro plugs) but you may also find Type D and Type M.

I recommend: I have the inexpensive Cactus Creek plug adapter kit. There’s lots of other cheap yet functional adapter kits out there as well.  Buy: REI.

Food and Water to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Water Treatment

Drinking untreated water in Nepal is a sure-fire way to get sick. But it’s important to stay hydrated at high elevations to prevent altitude sickness. (It’s no joke! Read more about how to adjust to high altitudes.) You can buy treated water at a few designated safe drinking water stations. You can also pay a small fee for hot boiled water from teahouses (although there’s no guarantee that it has actually been at a rolling boil for long enough to kill bacteria and parasites – it might just be hot). Lots of people use one of these two methods on the trail and don’t get sick.

I have a sensitive stomach and really wanted to make sure I didn’t get sick so I brought a Steripen which uses UV rays to treat the water. You could also bring a water filter, water treatment drops or tablets. Bringing your own method of water treatment or filtration gives you more flexibility so don’t have to wait until you get to a teahouse to fill up your water.

I recommend: We packed the Steripen Classic on our Annapurna Base Camp Trek. It was quick and easy to use for our group of 4. 

Water Bottles

Bring a couple of reusable water bottles or a hydration reservoir to avoid buying bottled water and contributing to the garbage problem that plagues Nepal. Choose ones with a wide opening so they are easier to fill and sanitize.

I recommend: For trekking in Nepal I brought classic 1L Nalgene bottles. The wide openings are easy to fill and they are fine to use with boiling water. Plus you can get them in tons of fun colours.

Drinks

Tea, Coke and beer are readily available at all teahouses (although the latter two can get quite expensive). But if you like to hike with electrolyte replenishment drinks or you like coffee in the morning, you’ll have to bring your own as they aren’t available on the trek.

I recommend: We brought a few tubes of Nuun electrolyte tablets from home. The tablets are easy to pack and way less messy than powders. I’m a coffee drinker at home, but in Nepal I just ordered a pot of Nepali chai tea every morning. It had plenty of caffeine to replace my coffee.

Food

You will be eating three hot meals a day at teahouses, so I found that I didn’t want as many snacks as usual while on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. But you can buy plenty of junk food from the tea houses including chocolate bars and cookies. If you prefer more traditional hiking snacks like energy bars or trail mix, you’ll need to buy them outside Nepal.

I recommend: I brought a few of my favourite energy bars which were helpful for fighting off attacks of the hangries on the longer days. I like the Luna Bar S’mores Bar and the Pro Bar Chocolate Coconut Bar.

Optional Extra Gear to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Trekking Poles

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek has a lot of steep ascents and descents. Trekking poles can be really helpful for saving your joints on the downhills. (Is hiking with poles really easier? My friend Becky says yes and I have to agree!)

I recommend: I brought my Black Diamond Trail trekking poles to Nepal and was really happy to have them. 

Umbrella

If you expect rain on your trek, an umbrella can be really helpful. At lower elevations it’s too hot to wear full on rain wear so the umbrella keeps your head and shoulders dry so you don’t have to wear a rain jacket. We trekked in early September at the end of the monsoon season and were happy to have umbrellas.

I recommend: Buy a cheap umbrella in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Tripod or Selfie Stick

I brought a mini tripod for my camera and maybe people bring selfie sticks or GoPro extension poles. They’re helpful for getting group shots or providing a different perspective.

I recommend: I brought the Joby Gorillapod mini tripod. It’s lightweight and compact, plus its easy to attach to just about anything. You can also get an adapter that lets you use it with your phone. Buy: REI | Amazon.

Paracord

A short length of paracord can come in handy. You can use it to create a clothesline to dry out sweaty gear or a wet towel in your room. Or you can use it to hang damp socks off the back of your pack during the day to dry them in the sun.

I recommend: You don’t need much: 3 or 4 meters of cord should be enough.

Entertainment for the Teahouses

You’ll have a few hours each night in the teahouses when you’ll need to entertain yourself. Consider bringing a book, some headphones to listen to music or podcasts and a deck of cards.

I recommend: I always travel with my Amazon Kindle eReader so I have hundreds of books to choose from.

Stuff You Don’t Need to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Here’s my list of stuff you don’t need and shouldn’t pack for your Annapurna Base Camp Trek

• Tent (stay in the teahouses – it’s almost the same price as camping)
• Sleeping pad (the teahouse bunks come with foam mattresses)
• Stove, cooking gear and food (buy your meals at the teahouses)
• Climbing gear (This is a non-technical trek and you won’t need harnesses, ropes, crampons, etc.)
• Extra clothing and gear you won’t need on your trek (Leave them in a duffle bag or suitcase with your hotel in Pokhara.)
• A laptop (There’s wifi in the teahouses but it’s slow and the electricity is spotty so it will be hard to keep it charged.)
• Revealing clothing including short shorts, skimpy tank tops, etc. (Nepalis are modestly dressed people and will appreciate it if you do the same).
• Tons of outfit changes. (You can do laundry in the sink or just air out your clothes and wear them again. Everyone else will be doing the same thing. And if you pack too much, you pack will be too heavy to comfortably carry.)

A Note on Buying Gear in Nepal

If you need to, you can buy everything you need in Nepal at trekkers shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, lots of the gear for sale is counterfeit knock-offs. Some of the knock-offs work fine, but others will fall apart pretty quickly. Unfortunately, to the untrained eye it can be hard to tell the difference and you don’t want to end up 6 days walk from a road with broken gear. As well, some pieces of gear are so key that you want to make sure you have quality gear that works for you. Below I’ve listed some gear that you can probably buy in Nepal without a problem, as well as some you really want to make sure you bring from home (and test out first).

Gear You Can Buy in Nepal

• Maps
• Duffle bags
• Fleece jackets
• Puffy jackets (although beware that they may not be as warm as advertised)
• Warm hats and gloves (you can also buy handed knitted ones on the trek – they make great souviners)
• Shower sandals
• Toilet paper
• Trekking poles
• Umbrella

Gear You Definitely Want to Bring from Home

• Backpack that fits you well
• Rain jacket and pants (knock-off ones for sale in Nepal might not be very waterproof)
• Hiking boots that fit you well

Have you been trekking in Nepal? Is there anything you’d add or remove from this list? Let me know in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp
• 6 Reasons You Should Hire a Trekking Guide in Nepal
• 8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going Trekking in Nepal

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More Nepal Posts:

• Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp
• What to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek
• 6 Reasons You Should Hire a Trekking Guide in Nepal

Make a Plan for Clean Drinking Water

Nuraini from the blog Teja on the Horizon wishes she knew more about getting clean drinking water before going trekking in Nepal. She says:

The trekking company I was going with sent me some preparation notes to assist my packing, and cautioned me against drinking the water in the mountains. So, since I also wanted to avoid consuming throwaway plastic water bottles, I armed myself with a portable water filter.

However, I learned that while indeed it is not advisable to drink the water along the mountain trails, there is a safe drinking water initiative in the Annapurnas. Stations supplying this treated water are signed along the way, for instance within restaurants. My guide also told me that locals drink directly from the communal water taps you find in every village. She said these are piped from a source at the top of the mountain, which should be a safe source. However she said sometimes foreigners have issues with this water. I did meet a trekker or two though, who just filled their bottles from this source.

That said, it is still good to have a plan B, especially beyond Dovan. I can testify that the portable filter is very convenient – faster than using chlorine tablets.

You can keep up with Nuraini’s travels on her Facebook and Pinterest pages.

I recommend: When I trekked the to Annapurna Base Camp I brought a Steripen Classic water purifier. It uses UV light to purify water and takes about 60 seconds to work: way faster than waiting 30 minutes for tablets to work or spending 5 minutes using a pump. Buy: MEC | REI.

Be Prepared for Leeches in Monsoon Season

My Annapurna Sanctuary Trek was at the beginning of September. Before we left I knew that we would be trekking at the tail end of monsoon season and that encountering leeches was possible. But knowing there would be leeches and being mentally prepared for encountering them are two VERY different things. We had a few leech-free and leech-light days on our trek, but the extra-leechy days really stick out in my mind.

In monsoon season the leeches are out in full force on rainy days, especially in places where the vegetation is thick. They range from a few millimeters in size to a few centimeters long and have incredible ninja attack powers. They can crawl up your boot and inside your sock without you ever feeling them. On the extra-leechy days we stopped every few minutes for a leech check so we could flick them off of our boots before they could bite us.  Our guide, Chandra was an expert leech-flicker and it was worth hiring a guide for the leech flicking alone. (Want more reasons why you should hire a guide in Nepal? I’ve got 6 more!)

Want some tips for dealing with leeches? Firstly, avoid trekking in monsoon season, which runs from June to September. If you avoid the monsoon season, apparently you won’t see a single leech (lucky you!).

If you do go during leech season like I did, bring some salt. Sprinkling salt on your socks will deter the leeches. The only problem is that the leeches are out when it’s raining and the rain washes away the salt. Doh. Frequent leech checks to pick them off the outsides of your boots work well, but don’t forget to also check inside the tops of your boots a couple times an hour as some will sneak in. I made the mistake of wearing gaiters thinking that would keep them out. It didn’t. Instead they just crawled inside where they were even more hidden. Disgusting. If you do get bitten, just pull them off. It’s bloody but it doesn’t hurt. Bring some afterbite or Benedryl if you react to bug bites since the leech bites itch the same way.

PS: The Nepali word for leech is “juka”. If you learn this word you can laugh and commiserate with the the porters and locals on the trail about the sneaky, horrible, no-good juka. Laughing with the locals about the juka made it a little more manageable for me. After all, they live with juka for 3 months a year for their whole life. I was just visiting for 10 days!

READ NEXT: Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp

Pack Some Just-in-Case Menstrual Supplies

Unfortunately Tasha of Backpackers Wanderlust learned that lesson in the worst way. Plus another lesson about testing your water treatment method beforehand. Poor Tasha! It’s a crazy story. Read on to hear her tell it in her own words. She writes:

Before setting off on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal I sat down packing my bags and ticking off everything on my list. On the circuit the water is not safe to drink and bottled water can get expensive. As a solution I had purchased water purifying tablets which should have been a great alternative. Problem was though, they were not the perfect alternative, and I wouldn’t find this out until well into the journey.

It was day five on the trail and was reported to be one of the most scenic days on the journey with Gateway to Heaven. Suddenly I felt a pain in my lower stomach: my period. I didn’t understand how this had happened: it was not the time of the month yet. I was stuck hiking hours each day with no tampons or pads, stomach cramps and feeling extremely nauseous.

Over the following days I tried a process of elimination. I changed my diet and stopped taking Diamox, but nothing changed. That’s when I thought of the water purification tablets. I mean, if it can get rid of bacteria and viruses out of water it has to have some pretty strong chemicals in it. By this stage I was willing to try anything.

I stopped using the water purification tablets and later that day it eventually stops. By the grace of god, I had finally figured out what had been causing my period for the past 48 hours. I was so happy I didn’t care that the rest of the journey I would have to be spending an extra $10 a day just on water. Though, my budget was not too happy about that.

Just FYI: This isn’t medical advice. I highly recommend speaking to your doctor about it or testing the water purification pills beforehand.

Check out Tasha’s Instagram and Facebook for more travel stories and inspiration.

Eat the Local Food (It’s Cheaper and Delicious)

One of the things I wish I knew before going trekking in Nepal was that it’s always a good idea to order the local food. Most tea houses have an extensive menu that includes Western-style food like pizza, spaghetti, potatoes, macaroni, and fried rice.  You might be tempted to order familiar meals on your trek, but you will often be disappointed.

The tea house cooks are local Nepalis who have often never travelled outside their region. They have never eaten Western food cooked by a Westerner. So tea house meals are basically made by people who have heard of Western food but don’t know what it is supposed to taste like. Sometimes they nail it (like the awesome mushroom pizza I had in Gorepani). But most of the time…well, they don’t. They really don’t. (Ketchup is a staple ingredient in many dishes… and it usually doesn’t belong there. Somehow, I kept ordering Western-style meals and being surprised when they contained ketchup. Apparently I’m not that bright sometimes.)

I recommend you eat the local food on your trek instead. It’s reliably tasty and it’s usually a lot cheaper too. The two main local dishes are dal bhat and momos.

Dal bhat is the national dish of Nepal. It’s white rice, watery lentil curry and a side of some kind of local vegetables. Usually the whole dish is vegetarian but sometimes you can get a side of meat. Each chef makes it a little differently so sometimes it’s spicier than others, but it’s always cheap. Plus it comes with free refills. Most Nepalis eat this meal two or three times a day. Our guide Chandra ate dal bhat 3 times a day for all 10 days of our trek. By choice. Seriously, Nepalis love it!

Momos are little meat and veggie filled dumplings kind of like Japanese gyoza or Chinese baozi. They can be steamed or fried and they come with a dipping sauce. They are straight up delicious!

Oh also FYI: if you see “buff” on the menu, that’s not a typo. That means buffalo. Nepal is a predominantly Hindu country and they don’t eat cows. But somehow eating their cousin the water buffalo is ok. (I asked: they know it’s hypocritical but less observant Hindus think it’s delicious. It tastes like lean beef.)

READ NEXT: 6 Reasons You Should Hire a Trekking Guide in Nepal

Pack a First Aid Kit and Medications

It can be quite common to get sick when travelling as the local bacteria and viruses aren’t the same ones your body is used to back home. I often get an upset stomach while travelling (like I did in Nepal), and it sounds like unfortunately Amalia of amellie.net knows what that’s like. Bringing the right meds is what she wished she knew before going trekking in Nepal. She writes:

If you are trekking in Nepal, particularly if you are doing a multi-day hike, be sure that you are prepared with first aid kits and medications for general illnesses, including flu, fever, and diarrhoea.

I had a really bad diarrhoea when I was hiking towards Poon Hill. The diarrhoea, which might be caused by the foods that I ate or the water that I drank, made the whole hiking experience rather unpleasant. At that time, I was lucky to have a friend who brought some medicines with him, including some packets of oral rehydration salts. This helped me to recuperate the next day and I was able to continue the hike, albeit slowly with continuous breaks to toilets.

When I came back to Nepal 2 years later, I was better prepared with these medications and I couldn’t be happier! They helped me prevent from getting too ill during my hikes.

Follow Amalia’s travel adventures on her Instagram.

I recommend: I brought an Adventure Medical Ultralight first aid kit on my trip to Nepal. I like their kits since they come in a water resistant pouch. I always add more stuff to them, like more blister care and bandaids. Buy: MEC | REI. A multi-tool with a knife, pliers and scissors is always handy. I like the Leatherman Wave. Buy: MEC | REI

BYOTP and Be Prepared for a Variety of Toilets

Bring Your Own Toilet Paper that is. And bring more than you think you’ll need in case you end up getting sick like Amalia and I did. That’s what I wish I knew before going trekking in Nepal. You can buy toilet paper at guest houses on your trek (and some villages have small stores) but it gets more expensive the farther away from the road you get. The locals don’t use toilet paper, so TP for sale is at tourist prices. (The locals use water and their left hand.)

You may also want to be prepared for the toilet situation on your trek. The toilets vary widely from Western style flush toilets to squat style latrines. And there is lots of variety in between.

All non-flush toilets will have a bucket of water (and sometimes a tap) and a cup. The locals use this to clean themselves and also use the water to “flush” the toilet. There will never be toilet paper supplied, so make sure you bring your own each time you go to the bathroom. There often isn’t any clean or dry place to put your toilet paper inside the bathroom so I kept mine inside a plastic bag.

None of the plumbing is built to handle anything except water and waste. So there will also be a garbage can inside the bathroom for your toilet paper.

Outside the bathroom you’ll find a communal sink and sometimes a bar of soap. Be sure to bring your own soap or some alcohol hand sanitizer just in case. Keeping clean hands will decrease your chances of getting sick.

READ NEXT: What to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Do Some Pre-Trek Hill and Stair Training

You don’t have to be a pro hiker to trek in Nepal, but you do need to be in reasonable shape. Danielle of world-smith.com did some training for her Annapurna Sanctuary trek, but still didn’t feel prepared for all the stairs. I feel ya, Danielle: those stairs are brutal! And like Amalia, she also wished she had brought meds from home. Here’s her story:

In retrospect, I think it was pretty brave of me to make the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal my first ever multi-day trek. While I love day hikes, I had never gone camping and stretched my time in the mountains to anything more than an afternoon here and there. The teahouse system in Nepal was a great way to ease into trekking – we always ended our days with a bed, a home cooked meal, and often a hot shower.

But healthwise, I do wish I had been more prepared. Not only was the trek primarily flagstone steps up and down – for which I should have done more rigorous stair training – but the altitude quickly snowed my long suffering boyfriend under with a bad cold, which I of course caught. Having anything wrong with your sinuses or respiratory system makes trekking at high altitude so much harder and much less enjoyable. Knowing now that it’s difficult to get good quality medicine in the Annapurnas, I would have packed more Sudafed and lots of cough drops!

Find out what Danielle has been up to lately on her Facebook page.

You Won’t Always Be Trekking Above the Treeline

Most photos of trekking in the Himalaya show mountain peaks and trails through rocky alpine terrain with no trees. But most treks start at much lower elevations below the treeline where there is lots of jungle vegetation and terraced fields. That’s one of the things I wish I knew before going trekking in Nepal. On my trek to Annapurna Base Camp we actually spent about 7.5 days of our 10 day trek at lower elevations with lots of jungle and cultivated fields. There were mountain views of course, and low elevation scenery is beautiful, but I just hadn’t expected so much of it. How much jungle and fields you will hike through depends on which trek you take, but most will have at least some at the beginning.

The jungle is gorgeous in it’s own way. There are bamboo and rhododendron forests. The rhododendron trees are huge – not the bushes we get here in Canada. And I imagine they are gorgeous when they bloom in the spring. You might also spot monkeys and Himalayan musk deer in the jungle. (We spotted both, but both sightings were brief so I don’t have any photos.)

Trekking through villages and terraced fields is also beautiful. Our guide is also a farmer in the off season so he taught us all about what was being grown: barley, maize, cabbage, tomatoes, melons and so much more. He also acted as an interpreter with the locals so we could learn more about how they live in the mountains. We saw women drying food for the winter and talked to a man running a small water powered mill. It was a unique cultural experience that I didn’t know I was going to have.

I did a lot of research beforehand, but I wasn’t totally prepared for everything I encountered.  There were still quite a few things I wish I knew before going trekking in Nepal. Hopefully this post gives you more of an idea of what to expect. But of course, some things in a new place will always be a surprise, and that’s part of the adventure!

Do you have any “I wish I knew before I went” stories from your travels? Share them in the comments.

Read Next:

• Want to know what it’s like to trek in Nepal? Read about my 2016 trek to Annapurna Base Camp.
• Do you need a guide to trek in Nepal? Nope… but I have 6 reasons why you should hire a guide anyway.
• Thinking of going trekking with your family? My internet friend Kyla has a great guide to trekking in Nepal with kids.
• Find out what to pack and what to leave at home: check out my packing list for trekking in Nepal. There’s even a printable checklist.

The post 8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going Trekking in Nepal appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Our guide Chandra, of Pokhara-based Friendly Trekkers Adventures, put together an itinerary for us that had us heading to the viewpoint at Poon Hill over the first few days before heading into the Annapurna Sanctuary and up to Annapurna Base Camp. On the way down we took a slightly different route for the last few days to visit the hot springs at Jhinu Danda. Click the map below to zoom in on our route.

READ NEXT: 6 Reasons You Should Hire a Trekking Guide in Nepal

Day One: Naya Pul to Tikendinga

We started our first day with a jeep ride on winding (but mostly paved) roads from the city of Pokhara to the village of Naya Pul. When we arrived it was pouring rain so we tried to wait it out at a roadside tea shop. We couldn’t wait forever, so we set out into the deluge through Naya Pul.  As we walked for a few hours on a newer gravel jeep road above a rushing river, the rain gradually stopped and the sun came out. We stopped for lunch at a roadside trekkers restaurant before carrying on to our destination for the night, the guesthouse at Tikendinga. That night as we ate in the guesthouse dining room it poured rain. Again. It was monsoon season in Nepal and we were walking in it.

Day Two: Tikendinga to Ghorepani

On our second day, it rained on and off but was mostly just hot and humid. We started the day with a stiff climb up thousands of stone stairs to the village of Ulleri where we stopped for a well-deserved cold drink. The remainder of the day was spent trekking steadily uphill through the jungle and we met our first of many heavily-laden donkey trains. There are no roads in this region so unless it is grown there, everything comes in on the back of a donkey or a person. Want a beer, some chocolate, stove fuel, building supplies or a new toilet? It all comes in on the back of a donkey. At the end, of the day we finally reached the hill top town of Ghorepani but unfortunately the usual panoramic views were obscured by clouds. Instead, we celebrated with pizza featuring wild mushrooms the guesthouse owners had just gathered that morning.

Day Three: Ghorepani to Tadapani via Poon Hill

On our third morning, we were up well before the sun to make the three-kilometer trek (without our packs thankfully) up to the viewpoint at Poon Hill. When we arrived the sun had already started to rise but most of the views were obscured by clouds. We bought hot cups of tea and settled down to wait it out at the advice our guide, even as many of our fellow trekkers retreated back down the hill. Our guide was right! After a couple hours, most of the clouds had cleared and we had amazing views of the Annapurna range as well as Dhaulagiri massif. We finally pried ourselves away from the views and headed back down to breakfast in Ghorepani before shouldering our packs. The day’s trek through the jungle took us across ridges and down a forested canyon before we arrived at Tadapani in near darkness. It had been a long day on the trail and we were exhausted, which perhaps explains why we found it hilarious that the resident guesthouse cat was chasing the resident guesthouse rat under the table while we waited for dinner to be served.

Day Four: Tadapani to Sinuwa

On the morning of day four, my alarm wasn’t due to go off for at least half an hour when there was a knock at the door. It was our guide, Chandra urging us to get up to look at the beautiful view. Unbeknownst to us in the dark and clouds the night before, our rooms had an incredible view of the mountains. After breakfast, we trekked through numerous small villages, past terraced fields of millet, corn, beans and squash and across several suspension bridges. The day was wet and cloudy and we had our first real encounters with the scourge of monsoon-season hiking: leeches, known as “juka” in Nepali. In wet areas they kept crawling up our boots, into our socks and then sometimes biting our ankles if we didn’t catch them first. We stopped often for quick leech checks where Chandra would sometimes pluck them off our boots socks before we even noticed they were there. “Juka” wasn’t the only Nepali word we learned that day; “ukalo” (uphill) and “oralo” (downhill) were also important as we discovered that this part of Nepal is never flat. After what seemed like eons of climbing and descending stone steps, we finally arrived in Sinuwa for the night, glad to get off our tired (and leech-bitten!) feet.

READ NEXT: 8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going Trekking in Nepal

Day Five: Sinuwa to Deurali

The weather cleared a little bit when we woke up in Sinuwa and we were able to look back across the valley to Chhomrong spread out across the hilltop, where we had lunch the day before. Distances in this part of the world are deceiving as it takes a long time to get anywhere, even if it looks close. On this day we trekked alongside the Modi Khola (river), sometimes along its banks and sometimes high above them in the jungle. We would be following this river all the way to its source at Annapurna Base Camp. It rained hard on this day and there were several rickety bridges over swollen streams to cross that even our guide had never seen at such high water levels. Occasionally the misty weather would clear and we would get amazing views of the impossibly steep green hills rising from the river striped with innumerable waterfalls caused by the ongoing monsoon rains. That evening as we relaxed with cups of hot tea in the dining room at our guesthouse, the clouds started to lift for the first time that day and the mountains glowed pink with the sunset.

Day Six: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp

Day six was the day we were finally going to get there, finally going to get to our high point of Annapurna Base Camp! The day started off cloudy and dark and none of us were in a good mood after the intense rain of the day before. Again, the rain came in on and off but like the previous day, sometimes the mist parted enough to give us views. We stopped for a long lunch at the guesthouse Machapuchare Base Camp to wait out the rain, but it wouldn’t quit so we headed out into it. For the first time on our trek, it was actually quite cold and we bundled up into our rain gear, put our heads down and slogged up the final hill. The mist was dense and we couldn’t see a thing, but eventually we came upon a sign welcoming us to Annapurna Base Camp. A few meters further up the hill the warm, dry guesthouse awaited us. As had become our routine, we changed into dry clothes and ordered a huge pot of spicy Nepali tea to warm up. The rain and mist let up a little bit so we went outside to check out the prayer flag draped viewpoint. We still couldn’t see much of the area around us, let alone any of the mountains so we were worried we had come all that way for no views.

Day Seven: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo

Chandra woke us up with a knock on the door just as the first light was beginning to creep into the sky. I peeked out the window and couldn’t see any clouds. Could it be? Could there be views? We got dressed quickly and met up with Chandra in the courtyard where plenty of other trekkers were already milling around. It was incredible: we were in a huge treeless glacial bowl surrounded by snow-covered mountains, all of them over 7000m tall. We made the quick walk back over to the viewpoint where we watched as the sun continued to rise, bathing the tops of the peaks in glowing light. After taking one million photos (approximately) it was time to return to the guesthouse to have breakfast, pack up and hit the trail. As we left Base Camp the clouds started to move in, obscuring the mountains. Even though we didn’t want to, it was time to go. The sun was really out for the first time in days and the trail back down to Machapuchare Base Camp was gorgeous in the sunshine (especially since it had been shrouded in fog the day before). We retraced our steps down the path next to the Modi Khola in the jungle, recrossing some of the scary bridges from the previous day and marvelling at how much less water was flowing in the streams since it was no longer raining. That night we stayed in the dark and dense bamboo forests at the Bamboo guesthouse – quite a contrast to the wide open sunny landscapes of that morning.

Day Eight: Bamboo to Jihnu Danda Hot Springs

We knew what we were in for on this day since we had done most of the route before: ukalo and oralo (uphill and downhill) on stone steps. We followed the Modi Khola back downstream past our previous guesthouse at Sinuwa, down to cross the Chhomrong Khola on a loooong suspension bridge, then back up up up the 2000 stairs through the village of Chhomrong. We stopped in Chhomrong again for lunch and watched as a couple of donkey trains came through the village, bells jangling. After lunch we plunged back downhill again on one of the steepest trails yet, heading to the guesthouses at Jhinu Danda. We checked into our rooms (the first ones with ensuite bathrooms since Ghorepani way back on day two – what luxury!), dropped our packs and headed downhill even more to the banks of the Modi Khola where we found the Jhinu Danda hot springs. The high water levels of the river meant that some of the pools were full of river water and sand and therefore unusable, but the highest pool was still functioning. We soaked until it got dark and it was time for dinner. The warm muggy weather made the 30-minute uphill climb back to the guesthouse a little less pleasant as we got our freshly cleaned selves all sweaty again.

READ: What to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Day Nine: Jihnu Danda Hot Springs to Allure Hill

Our penultimate day on the trail was very hot and muggy. We headed down from Jhinu Danda, crossing several smaller bridges before arriving at New Bridge, the location of a guest house settlement called New Bridge as well as a long wooden decked suspension bridge that at some time must have been new but now definitely is not. It has a slippery wooden deck with some misaligned planks and the whole thing lists to the right. It was one of the more intimidating bridges we crossed on the whole trip (but apparently it is scheduled to be replaced soon). After crossing New Bridge we headed downstream following the river on the opposite bank. Now that we were back at a lower elevation with warmer weather and thick vegetation, the juka (leeches) were out in full force so we didn’t really enjoy the waterfalls, farms and lush vegetation the way we should have. The heat also became quite oppressive and as we started to climb out of the river valley into the hills, it became apparent that I had heat stroke and was quite ill. We stopped for lunch and a long rest at a guesthouse. After lunch, the weather started to cool down so I began to feel better but Chandra still had to carry some of my gear because I was still weak. We met up with a newer gravel jeep road that had obliterated the trail in most places. We followed the road for the rest of the day as the scorching hot morning turned into a damp and foggy late afternoon. Due to my illness, we hadn’t covered as much ground as planned so we stopped at a brand new guesthouse on Allure Hill that Chandra knew about rather than sticking to our original itinerary.

Day Ten: Allure Hill to Dhampus

The plan on our last day was to finish walking the new jeep road to the village of Pothana where we would pick up a series of trails that would take us down to the town of Dhampus and then down to Phedi, a town on the outskirts of the city of Pokhara where we could catch a bus back to our hotel in the city. Alas, it was not to be as that morning I developed a case of gastroenteritis, aka Delhi Belly, aka horrible stomach flu. It was probably due to being weak from the heat stroke the day before since no one else got sick and we all ate and drank the same things. I took a ton of anti-nausea meds, anti-diarrhea meds and antibiotics, handed my pack off to Chandra and set out to hike our last day on the trail. I don’t remember much about this day as I was just trying to keep it together. From what I do recall, we followed the jeep road for awhile into Pothana where we stopped for a break. At that point, we asked Chandra to call ahead to hire a 4×4 jeep to meet up in Dhampus where there was a rough road we could take as I didn’t want to walk more than I had to. We walked downhill on beautiful old stone paths to Dhampus where our jeep met us. Suddenly, before I was ready for it, our trek was over. Even though I was sick and just wanted to lay down and sleep (near a toilet!), I couldn’t believe we were headed to a hotel in the city, not to a guesthouse on a hillside with mountain views poking through the mist.

After our trek, I spent a day in bed in our Pokhara hotel recovering while the others went sightseeing. Then it was back to Kathmandu to see the sights.

Overall, trekking to Annapurna Base Camp was such a special experience, unlike any of the other backpacking trips I have been on. It wasn’t just the guesthouse aspect where we stayed indoors and had hot meals three times a day (although that was awesome) or the grand scale of the mountains, so much taller than the ones I am used to; it was the cultural experience of trekking from village to village where people actually live and farm the land, far from roads, hospitals, malls and everything we think is an essential part of life. (Although they do have cell phones and satellite TV – they think those are essential too!) Unlike backpacking in the wilderness of Canada where nature is the only focus, trekking to Annapurna Base Camp puts the focus on the people, the culture, and the rural landscape but then juxtaposes that with the sweeping views of impossibly high peaks and the densely forested jungle between the villages. It’s unique. It’s amazing. You should go.

Read Next:

• 6 Reasons You Should Hire a Trekking Guide in Nepal. (In case you haven’t noticed, I really enjoyed trekking with Chandra!)
• Find out what to bring and what to leave at home: What to Pack for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek
• Learn from our mistakes: Trekkers share what they wish they knew before going trekking in Nepal.

The post Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.