Frenchman's Cap Hike

4 days – Medium to Hard Grade – $2095

Your destination, the magnificent white quartzite dome of Frenchman’s Cap rises to an altitude of 1443 metres.

From its summit, close to the centre of Tasmania, it is possible to see Tasmania’s highest peak Mt Ossa, Cradle Mountain and Mount Jerusalem.

Your 4 day journey begins by crossing the Franklin River, over button grass plains then through rainforest to the beautiful Lake Tahune, which is nestled below the Caps 450m South – East face.

On day 3, we will have another opportunity to summit the Cap where we will be rewarded with spectacular views before heading back to Lake Vera.

On day 4, we retrace our steps back to the Franklin River and our coach journey back to Hobart.

The hike is considerably a lot more arduous than the Overland Track and guests are required to carry a portion of the groups food.

This tour has no set departure dates, but if you are a group of 4 or more, we can Taylor a departure to suit you. If you are enquiring as a solo traveller, please get in touch, as we may have a group you can join.

Grade: Medium/Hard

Our Itinerary

Our bus journey to Artist Hill on the Lyell Highway, the starting point for our trek arrives a little before midday. We cross the Franklin River swing bridge then climb from the river valley to the flanks of Mount Mullens where we get our first glimpses of the magnificent Frenchman’s Cap. We pass through patches of rainforest and button grass, then a patch of thicker vegetation as we descend to the Loddon River. A new track bypasses the infamous “Sodden Loddens”then we continue through more plains of button grass before we climb through deep lush rainforest to Lake Vera and our first nights camp.

We follow the northern shoreline of Lake Vera walking through lush, dense rainforest which shades the beautiful colours of the mosses and lichens. At the lakes western shore the track climbs steeply to Barron Pass, a small saddle between towering rock spires of quartzite. The Cap’s massive 450m south east face dominates the landscape and is clearly seen in good weather. From Barron Pass the track traverses small hills and over a swamp area of pineapple grass known as Artichoke Valley until Lake Tahune and its hut is reached. Mid afternoon we will head to the summit of Frenchman's Cap.

Today, weather dependant, we will make a summit bid on the Cap before heading back down to Lake Vera and our last night.

he journey back to the Lyell Highway is just as spectacular as the walk in. We encounter the button grass of the Loddon Plains again and cross the swing bridges of the Loddon and Franklin Rivers where we meet our bus back to Hobart.

How To Book

To make a booking, select the departure date from the calendar, click on the BOOK NOW button, fill out your details, and submit.

Our booking platform is 100% secure. You can choose to pay for your tour in full when you book, or pay a deposit. Deposits are $500 per guest.

Final payments are due 8 weeks before the departure date.

Please note: If any of our tours are showing “sold out” or if there is not enough availability on your preferred departure date from our calendar, please get in touch, as there maybe cancellations being processed.

Terms and conditions apply.

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What an amazing experience hiking to Frenchman’s Cap in January 2020. Highly recommend this small family business, they know their stuff.

– I Bishop (Frenchman’s Cap Hike)

Frequently Asked Questions

In our Vehicles – Free face-masks and hand sanitiser are available for all guests. Temperature checks will be conducted as guests enter the bus and the Check in App must be scanned. Masks will be carried on the tour and used if required. Group Sizes – Our maximum group size is 10 and on average the group size is 8. These small group sizes carry less inherent risk of COVID 19 Social Distancing – Our groups camps are well away from the general public campsites and we follow the recommended 1.5m distancing rule whist in camp and on the walk. Vaccinations – Currently most of the Leaders / Guides in our employ are fully vaccinated, or have had at least 1 jab. Sharing Tents – Our hikes are based on twin share. Should there be a high percentage of couples or family members that can share a twin tent on any given tour, we will supply a single person tent to the remaining independent travellers. Campsite sizes and single person tent availability may impact this offer. Self Isolating – We are able to receive COVID 19 updates / alerts via our satellite phones and local networks. If a guest on a tour has originated or visited a LGA of concern, and is required to isolate, we can accommodate that guest at a safe distance away from our camp. This guest will walk independently from the main group for the remainder of the tour, accompanied by a guide. Evacuation – Should a guest develop COVID 19 symptoms on tour, that guest will be evacuated via the nearest evacuation route by a guide, and then taken to the nearest hospital or testing clinic.

This tour begins and ends in Hobart. Guests will be collected @ 0700am from their accommodation provider on day 1. Please be ready outside your Hotel at this time.

Expect the weight of your pack to be up to 18kg. Guests are required to carry 3 – 4kg of the groups food.

Yes! A gear check will be conducted at your Hotel. We will arrange this to take place on the afternoon/evening of your arrival.

Yes, we can cater for most diets including, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Coeliac. Other diets, for example: Keto may attract a surcharge. Please contact us about your dietary needs.

No, we do not hire out gear for this tour. We do provide the tents, cooking equipment, emergency equipment, bowls, cups and cutlery.

The only side trip is to the summit of Frenchman’s Cap. We do this on the 2nd or 3rd day of the tour.

If your Hotel cannot store your luggage for you, we can. We will bring your luggage back to your Hotel in Hobart.

Included in the tour price is: 2 x Mountain Guides, transfers to the start and from the finish of the tour back to your Hotel in Hobart, all food, emergency communication equipment and 1st aid kits, group gear [tents, pots and pans, cutlery, bowls, stove fuel and stoves], and National Park fees.

No, apart from the summit of Frenchman’s Cap.

Typically we arrive back in Hobart @ 5pm. We recommend that you do not book flights home on this evening as delays are possible.

Single tents are available only if there is an odd number of guests in the group. You may request a single tent but this may not be guaranteed or we may be limited to space on the platforms.