Cradle Mountain Road — Devonport to Tasmania's AlpineHeart.
Distance
165 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,400 m
Cradle Mountain Road — Devonport to Tasmania's Alpine Heart.
Tasmania's most iconic mountain road climbs from the Bass Strait ferry port at Devonport up to the World Heritage Cradle Mountain National Park (900m). The C136 (Claude Road) and C132 wind through the heritage mural town of Sheffield, the Forth River valley at Cethana, and finally up the notoriously twisty final ascent to Dove Lake. Bookended by the rugged Mersey River country, this is a one-day in-and-back from the ferry. Carry layers — Cradle Mountain weather can swing 20°C between car and mountain.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance165 km
Days1
Total climb1,400 m
DifficultyModerate
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The route.
DevonportStart · Spirit of Tasmania ferry port — most riders start their Tassie trip here. Fuel up. Head south on the Bass Highway (1) then C146 toward Sheffield. Check Cradle Mountain weather before committing.
LatrobeScenic Point · Heritage Mersey River town. House of Anvers chocolate factory is Tasmania's best — free tasting room. Brief stop only or you'll run late.
SheffieldRestaurant · The Town of Murals — over 100 outdoor heritage paintings on building walls. Coffee at Slater's Country Store before the C136 climb. Mt Roland (1,234m) dominates the skyline ahead.
Cradle Mountain LodgeMountain Pass · Cradle Mountain National Park visitor centre (900m). Dove Lake circuit walk (2hrs, easy), wombats grazing at dusk. The notoriously winding final 30km is icy in winter — drop tyre pressure and ride slowly.
SheffieldEnd · Return to Sheffield for the night. The Sheffield Hotel does Cape Grim beef and local King Island cheese platters. Stay over and continue south next day.
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