Frenchmans Cap

Starting from the Frenchmans Cap Carpark on the Lyell Highway, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, this walk leads to the summit of Frenchmans Cap and back via the Frenchmans Cap Track. This strenuous hike takes you to one of the most remarkable mountain peaks in South-West Tasmania. From the top, the view is nothing short of incredible, with Tasmania’s rugged Wilderness World Heritage Area stretching as far as you can see. The journey to the summit includes a wonderfully varied mix of landscapes – golden-hued button grass moorlands, fragrant Eucalypt forests, moss-strewn rainforests, and the resilient wonders of the alpine flora. There are two huts, Lake Vera Hut and Lake Tahune Hut, along the track as well as several designated campsites. Climbing the summit requires some rock scrambling, and this final ascent should only be attempted if the weather is clear enough. The weather at Frenchmans Cap is highly unpredictable, and the trail will be wet, muddy and demandingly steep at times. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Lyell Highway & Frenchmans Cap Track (-42.2085187,145.9809506)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Brooker Highway, 1 Turn on to Brooker Highway, 1 then drive for 115 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Lyell Highway, A10 and drive for another 15.3 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Montagu Crescent, A10 and drive for another 1.1 km At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Lyell Highway, A10 and drive for another 400 m Turn left onto Hamilton Road, A10 and drive for another 168.2 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
The Frenchmans Cap trailhead and car park is located on the Lyell Highway (A10) 55km before Queenstown, roughly 200km from Hobart. From Hobart, head north on Brooker Avenue, taking the first exit just before the Bridgewater Bridge onto the Lyell Highway, continue along for 170km. The car park is signposted on the lefthand side of the road, 55km before Queenstown....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Lyell Highway & Frenchmans Cap Track Start heading along Frenchmans Cap Track (a walking track). After 25 m to find the "Frenchmans Cap Carpark". After another 80 m pass the helipad (on your right). After another 480 m come to the camp site (6 m on your right). Then cross the bridge (about 30 m long) After another 6.1 km cross the bridge (about 35 m long) Then come to the camp site (15 m on your left). After another 100 m come to the camp site (20 m on your right). After another 8.5 km pass the toilet (5 m on your right). After another 75 m come to the camp site (30 m on your right).
	From the Frenchmans Cap Track continue straight, to head along Frenchmans Cap Track. After another 10 m come to the "Vera Hut" (6 m on your right). Then pass the helipad (50 m on your right). After another 185 m come to the camp site (20 m on your left).
	After another 2.7 km (from the Frenchmans Cap Track) continue straight, to head along Frenchmans Cap Track. After another 2.5 km come to the camp site (25 m on your right). Then pass the helipad (50 m on your right).
	From the Frenchmans Cap Track continue straight, to head along Frenchmans Cap Track.
	After another 5 m (from the Frenchmans Cap Track) turn right, to head along Frenchmans Cap Track. After another 35 m come to the "Tahune Hut" (10 m on your right).
	After another 870 m (at the intersection of Irenabyss Track & Frenchmans Cap Track) turn left, to head along Frenchmans Cap Track.
	Continue another 650 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 22.1 km to get back to the start. "Frenchmans Cap".

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Frenchmans Cap

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	44.2 km
Time	2 days to 4 days

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep and difficult rock scrambles (5/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Forecasted & unexpected severe weather likely to have an impact on your navigation and safety (5/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 6 on route, on average they are 6.3 km apart with the largest gap of 23.6 km.

Hut: There are 2 on route, on average they are 14.7 km apart with the largest gap of 23.6 km.

Toilet: There is one 15.1 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Camp site	580 m	[camp site]
Camp site	6.5 km	[camp site]
Camp site	6.6 km	[camp site]
Toilet	15.1 km	[toilet]
Hut	15.2 km	Vera Hut
Camp site	15.2 km	[camp site]
Camp site	15.3 km	[camp site]
Camp site	20.5 km	[camp site]
Hut	20.6 km	Tahune Hut

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
| www.summitpost.org | tastrails.com | PWS walk details and Alerts

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Lake St Clair Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  
  Saturday 19 April
  
  Rain.
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late evening.
  
  Sunday 20 April
  
  9°C → 17°C
  Rain easing.
  90% chance of rain
  2 → 9mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the west. Winds north to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 19.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 10:50am to 1:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 3 [Moderate]
  
  Monday 21 April
  
  6°C → 15°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the west in the early morning. Medium chance of showers. Light winds becoming south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 15 and 19.
  
  Tuesday 22 April
  
  4°C → 15°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southeasterly during the morning then becoming light during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 17.
  
  Wednesday 23 April
  
  4°C → 15°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the north, near zero chance elsewhere. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 13 and 17.
  
  Thursday 24 April
  
  5°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Friday 25 April
  
  3°C → 11°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  2 → 15mm
  
  Showers.
  
  Saturday 26 April
  
  1°C → 11°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Tasmania Parks & Wildlife service
  When planning and before starting your trip please check Parks Tas closure website for anything that may impact on your plans. It is also worth checking the Parks Facebook page for more timely information.

Weather Forecast

Alerts