Hiking up to the Cradle Mountain summit

At 8:15 am sharp, we take the first bus from the parking lot to Dove Lake, one of the two starting points for climbing Cradle Mountain. We decide to take the more challenging route via Lake Wilks Track. And over 4 hours later, I am actually standing at the summit. Unfortunately, I am alone as Birgit has to pass about half an hour before reaching the goal. The strenuous climb over sometimes very large rocks simply takes too much out of her. If the weather conditions hadn't been so optimal, with the sun shining all day and a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius, I probably wouldn't have made it either. At the end of the tour and 8 hours later, we take a little swim in Dove Lake. It was very refreshing!

That's the factual part, but how did it feel? Incredibly good! You arrive in this Cradle Valley and your heart opens up. The vegetation, the smell, the lakes and mountains. Everything is so peaceful. A very special atmosphere. I love it! If I hadn't had to worry about "my Birgit" (how do I get the girl back down from there), it would probably have been one of the best days of my life, definitely the best of this vacation.