Blizzard conditions can occur with little warning, at any time of year, so walkers should be prepared for sudden and severe weather changes.
Hartz Pass is a 6 km, grade 3 hike in Hartz Mountains National Park in southern Tasmania, usually taking around three hours to complete. For reasonably fit walkers, it offers a rewarding introduction to the park’s alpine character, with a mix of open landscapes, mountain tarns and wide-ranging outlooks that change with the weather and the seasons.
Starting from the main car park, the track is clearly marked and easy to follow. The lower sections are built on raised boardwalks that wind through low alpine vegetation, offering a gentle start to the walk. As the track climbs and the vegetation thins, the landscape opens up, with clear views ahead to Hartz Peak and Mount Snowy. Turning around, there are also pleasing views back towards the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, which help give a real sense of place.
The track continues south towards Ladies Tarn before climbing more steeply to Hartz Pass. At the junction near the pass, the track splits, with the left-hand route leading to Hartz Peak and the right-hand route heading towards Hartz Lake. This section is marked by cairns and can feel more exposed. Around the lake, the ground is often damp and can be slippery, so it pays to take your time and watch your footing.
Hartz Lake is a peaceful place to pause, have a snack and soak in the quiet atmosphere before returning the same way. On calm days the reflections are especially striking, while in poor weather the area has a raw, moody feel that highlights the alpine environment. It is a walk that rewards patience and awareness, offering both gentle moments and more demanding sections along the way.
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the
AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
- Park entry fees apply.
- Toilet, tank water, picnic shelter and barbecue 10.5km before track start. No camping.
- Supervise children , tracks subject to severe weather conditions all year round, weather may change quickly, tracks are difficult to navigate when covered in snow and may be impassable.
- The sections of raised boardwalk on this trail can become extremely slippery when covered in ice or snow. Exercise caution, and supervise children.
- No pets, firearms or bicycles.
Total distance: 6119 m
Max elevation: 1048 m
Min elevation: 853 m
Total climbing: 242 m
Total descent: -241 m
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Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting to the trailhead: Hartz Mountains National Park.
Hartz Mountains National Park is about 1.5 hours south west of Hobart, travelling via Geeveston on the A6. From Geeveston, turn right onto Arve Road (C632) and follow it for approximately 13 kilometres to the clearly signposted turn-off into the park. The final 10.5 kilometres to the trailhead is on an unsealed road.
Road conditions can change quickly, particularly in winter, so it is important to check conditions before you travel. Snow can close the road, and unless your vehicle is fitted with snow chains, you should not continue if snow is present. Getting stuck in alpine conditions can be extremely dangerous, with a real risk of hypothermia, and there are no rangers based in the park to provide immediate assistance.
Where possible, avoid driving through the park at night. These roads pass through important wildlife habitat, and animals are often active after dark. Take your time, drive cautiously, and be prepared to slow down if wildlife is on or near the road.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Hartz Mountains National Park rises above the southern Huon Valley and features a rugged mix of mountains, lakes and waterfalls shaped by ancient glaciers. From the higher ridges, layered peaks roll away towards Tasmania’s southern coast, creating a strong sense of scale and isolation. The park lies near Geeveston in southern Tasmania, about 55 kilometres south-west of Hobart, making it a straightforward day trip from the capital.
Glacial ice once covered the dolerite backbone of the range, leaving behind cirques, small lakes and steep escarpments where waterfalls now cascade. These landforms give the park its character across the seasons, with winter snow and ice giving way to alpine plants and spring wildflowers, including the striking Tasmanian waratah.
A wide range of walks makes the park popular with walkers of all abilities. Well-formed tracks pass through forest before climbing into subalpine and alpine terrain. Short bushwalks to Waratah Lookout, Arve Falls and Lake Osborne take less than an hour return and still deliver impressive scenery. Longer hikes to Lake Esperance and Hartz Peak, both part of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks, take two to five hours return and reward prepared walkers with broad mountain views.
Wildlife is common, with echidnas, platypus, wallabies and pademelons often seen, along with frogs and birds such as honeyeaters, eastern spinebills and green rosellas. Facilities include picnic shelters, water and accessible toilets near Waratah Lookout and at the Hartz visitor shelter. A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania’s national parks.
Looking for more walks in or near Hartz Mountains National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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