Hansons Peak

Getting there

This track leaves from the Dove Lake Carpark at Cradle Mountain. You can catch a bus into the park from the Information Centre. Buses depart every 15 minutes, 7 days a week and are free with your park entry fee.

Maps

The TasMap Cradle Mountain Day Walks topographic map is available from the visitor centre but is not necessary for completing the walk. The tourist brochure sufficiently outlines the map.

Route/Trail notes

This is a great walk that takes you from the lake right up to one of the higher peaks around Dove Lake. There are lots of steps and one section includes a chain to help climb, though the walk is reasonably safe for fit individuals.

From the Dove Lake carpark head left on the Dove Lake Circuit. Shortly after Glacier Rock the track splits and the Hansons Peak track starts climbing steadily. After a short steep push you'll reach the saddle between Hansons Peak and Mt Campbell. The track to Mt Campbell splits here but is currently signposted as closed.

From this saddle you'll gain your first view of Lake Hanson and also find one end of the Twisted Lakes Track. Turn right and start the climb towards Mt Hanson. The track climbs quickly, including a steep, chain assisted scramble before reaching the summit.

The track continues past the summit towards the Face Track, Twisted Lakes Track and Lake Rodway Track. Even if not continuing on to any of those tracks it is worth continuing for 10 minutes to view the Twisted Lakes and yet another lookout down the length of Dove Lake.

Retrace your steps back to the Dove Lake carpark for the most direct return. The Twisted Lakes Track can be used as an alternate, but will require more climbing up and down before returning to the Hansons Peak-Mt Campbell Saddle.

You can continue back the same way or continue along to the Face Track and then back down by another track. Make sure you get a map from the visitor information centre before heading off.

Permits/Costs

Access to the park requires a Tasmanian Park Pass (https://passes.parks.tas.gov.au) which you can buy from the visitor centre.

GPS Tracks

No GPS available for this walk yet.

Comments

5/5 stars, 2.5hrs return at relaxed pace. Good shorter hike with great views and interesting variation in path itself. If time permitting, would recommend continuing to Lake Wilks before returning down to Dove Lake Circuit track and then back to the carpark. This extension extended the time to 5.5hrs return at a relaxed pace, but is a good medium length alternative if you're not sure you can commit to the Cradle Summit. The extra portion going by Lake Wilks also has great scenery. Hansons Peak would probably give a great sunrise/sunset view of Cradle. I've done this hike 1 time.
Sam on 6 Apr, 2022

Fantastic walk and great alternative to Cradle Mountain if the weather is poor. The track is very well marked and has excellent views the whole way up. There is a little bit of light scrambling but there are plenty of handholds and chains to assist you. From the top you can continue to Cradle Mountain if you wish or go back the way you came.
Vonsnrub on 15 Feb, 2020

Fantastic walk with some different angles on the Dove Lake area. Chain section was not difficult for anybody with scrambling experience. Wind was quite strong and chilly.
Richard Mason on 28 Oct, 2019

This wasa great walk. The day we went up, we were advised against going up to the peak at Cradle, but this walk was recommended followed by the face track and the horse track. Cradle Mountain was shrouded in cloud, so this was a great option. The wind was a bit strong on the way up, but not so much once we made it all the way.
Ian and Sue on 2 Jan, 2018