Bushwalk Australia

Hi All,

I am planning a trip down to Tassie to start tackling some of the amazing hikes down there! On this trip, I have managed to pull together a couple of friends of varying experience and am torn about what hike I suggest we go on. Everyone is fit, active and 2 of the 3 have done pack and carries before. I am looking at either the Mt Anne Circuit or Frenchmans Cap. Would people recommend one or the other? Or perhaps another hike of interest? For the trip, we are tight on time and 4 days is the max. we can do.

Suggestions are welcome!

I don't know that I'd take someone with absolutely no experience on either, as they both involve mud, steep climbs and scrambling, but if the rest of you are capable of picking up the slack they are both marvellous walks - if the weather co-operates.
For a newbie a better intro might be to go into Pine Valley and explore the Acropolis and the Labyrinth, or take the Arm River or Maggs tracks into Pelion and have a look at Pelion East and Ossa, or do a loop through the Walls with a few sidetrips. Or do a couple of shorter walks with an overnight camp, such as Adamsons, Nevada or Snowy South.

I haven't done Frenchman's but have done the Anne circuit a couple of times. I wouldn't recommend it unless you were sure everyone was ok with heights and some very tricky scrambling. If the weather is typical for the southwest the Anne range then it becomes doubtful.
If I was bringing people of varying abilities together for a walk where I wanted a sure fire good time then I would go with NNW recommendations, the circuit around the Walls of Jerusalem is a great option. Walk into the main walls track and then after a couple of nights exploring walk down to Lake Meston and then out via Lake Myrtle and Lake Bill.
These options are much better in any weather and cater for people who might be a bit less keen after the first day. Its better to do an easier one and ensure every one complete it and have a great time than have to turn around after the first day on the Anne circuit due to someone in the group not liking the situation (I've done this!)

Thanks for the recommendations. I might look into the Walls then and plan something around there. I don't doubt anyones ability though, everyone is comfortable with heights and scrambling. A couple of us have some climbing experience as well. I might start with the Walls on this trip then look at Anne Circuit and Western Arthurs Range for the next. These both look beautiful!

So I think we are leaning towards either the Mt Anne Circuit or Frenchmans Cap. Looked at the Walls but it looks to be fairly in and out? With options of side trips?

ScorpioBoyRising wrote:So I think we are leaning towards either the Mt Anne Circuit or Frenchmans Cap. Looked at the Walls but it looks to be fairly in and out? With options of side trips?

I was bringing people of varying abilities together for a walk where I wanted a sure fire good time then I would go with NNW recommendations, the circuit around the Walls of Jerusalem is a great option. Walk into the main walls track and then after a couple of nights exploring walk down to Lake Meston and then out via Lake Myrtle and Lake Bill.
Cut and paste of my above post
Still think it is the best option for a group of varying experience. Save Mount Anne for the dedicated scramblers.

You won't regret the Walls.

There are many, many options. Up Mt Jerusalem, Meston, Ball, Adelaide.

A gorgeous area. Stunning.

The Walls is ideal indeed, but don't forget that you could still do a road trip and day walks. Once I spent 4 days in the North West, it was lovely. I did Mt Murchison, drove the Western Explorer, Rocky Cape and Narrawntapu (trip report here : viewtopic.php?f=42&t=11554 ). A lot of driving, so if you wanna do it I'd suggest cut back one of the 4 destinations. For a 4 day easy fun trip, you also have islands such as Maria or Bruny, and the Mt Field plateau has plenty of overnight walks that are a lot easier than Frenchman or Mt Anne. Another bonus of Maria Island is that you have better chances of having fair weather.

Having recently done Fenchmans again over an extended weekend (nov) I personally wouldn't have a problem taking my inexpirienced mates as long as they're fit and keen like you say . 2 huts along track if weather turns. The new track up to Vera is virtually a highway barring a couple of boggy spots where track work was being done. Vera to Tahune while a steep slog with big pack is relatively short. Having 4 days gives the chance to hang out at Tahune hut for a couple of nights to give you a better chance at the summit in good weather to get that veiw. All that being said heading up walls area in the near future with a couple of those mates and as all others have said really can't go wrong with the walls.