Blizzard conditions can occur with little warning, at any time of year, so walkers should be prepared for sudden and severe weather changes.
The Lake Esperance Walk is a 3.4 kilometre, grade 3 hike in Hartz Mountains National Park, Tasmania, and usually takes around 1.5 hours to complete. It is a rewarding outing that offers a close look at one of the park’s most striking glacial features without requiring a full day on the trail.
Lake Esperance was formed by the powerful movement of ice, which shaped the landscape over thousands of years. The lake sits beneath the dolerite spine known as The Devils Backbone, where ice and snow once built up on the sheltered side of the range. As the glacier retreated, it left behind this still body of water, making Lake Esperance one of the more accessible glacial lakes in the park.
Much of the track follows well-built boardwalks, helping to protect the fragile alpine environment and making the walk more comfortable underfoot. In winter, these sections can be covered by snow and ice, so conditions should always be checked before setting out. At the lake, a small viewing area with seating provides a quiet place to pause and take in the surroundings. Cushion plants can be seen here, thriving in an exposed, often waterlogged landscape where few other species can survive.
While the walk is considered moderate, some bushwalking experience is recommended. The track includes short steep sections, uneven surfaces and numerous steps, which can be slippery in wet or icy weather. With suitable footwear and an eye on changing conditions, Lake Esperance offers a memorable introduction to the alpine character of the Hartz Mountains.
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.
- A valid parks pass is required to enter the park, so make sure this is organised before you arrive.
- Toilets, tank water, picnic shelter and a barbecue are available about 10.5 kilometres before the start of the track. Camping is not permitted in this area.
- Much of the track follows raised boardwalk, but snow can cover these sections in winter, making the route difficult or impossible to follow.
- Children should be closely supervised at all times. Weather conditions can be severe throughout the year, may change rapidly, and snow can make tracks hard to navigate or impassable.
- Pets, firearms and bicycles are not allowed in the park, and open fires are strictly prohibited.
Total distance: 3328 m
Max elevation: 982 m
Min elevation: 853 m
Total climbing: 135 m
Total descent: -135 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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