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Hike to Mount Wellington: Circular hike to the summit of Mount Wellington
A guide to the Mount Wellington Hike, a circular hike to the Mount Wellington Summit from Hobart. Includes which routes to take, hiking information and more. Kunanyi or Mount Wellington is the prominent peak that serves as the iconic backdrop to Hobart, Tasmania's capital city. While the summit is accessible by car, the incredible views of Hobart are much better when earned. In this blog post I will outline what I think is the best hike to Mount Wellington. It is a combination of several tracks to form a loop to Pinnacle Summit and back to The Springs. Hike to the summit of Mount…
Hike to Mount Wellington: Circular hike to the summit of Mount Wellington
A guide to the Mount Wellington Hike, a circular hike to the Mount Wellington Summit from Hobart. Includes which routes to take, hiking information and more.
Kunanyi or Mount Wellington is the prominent peak that serves as the iconic backdrop to Hobart, Tasmania's capital city. While the summit is accessible by car, the incredible views of Hobart are much better when earned.
In this blog post I will outline what I think is the best hike to Mount Wellington. It is a combination of several tracks to form a loop to Pinnacle Summit and back to The Springs.
Hike to the summit of Mount Wellington
The truth is that there are many ways to hike to the top of Mount Wellington. However, below I will outline what I believe is the best way to do this. This summit hike to Mount Wellington is a circular route, meaning you don't have to go back the same way on the way back.
To the summit of Mount Wellington:
The Springs > Lenah Valley Track > Sphinx Rock > Lower Sawmill Track > Organ Pipes Track > Zig Zag Track
From the summit of Mount Wellington to The Springs:
Mount Wellington Summit > Zig Zag Track > Pinnacle Track > The Springs
How long does it take to walk up Mount Wellington?
Since The Springs is already at an average elevation of 720 meters above sea level, the hike up Mount Wellington (1271 meters) only takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. However, if you have a decent level of fitness and want to keep a good pace, this can be completed in about an hour.
Can you drive up Mount Wellington?
The answer is yes. You can drive to the summit of Mount Wellington via Pinnacle Road. There is a large parking lot at the top where you often park many vehicles including large vans and buses.
So if you want to see the incredible views of Hobart from the top of Mount Wellington but don't want to walk, consider driving. Please note, however, that the road to the summit is often closed in various places during bad weather and snow. There is a sign at the foot of Pinnacle Road informing you of active closures.
If you don't have your own car, you can book a full-day Mount Wellington Explorer pass. This is a shuttle bus service that stops at various points along Pinnacle Road including The Springs, The Chalet and Pinnacle Summit.
Book: Wellington Bus Full Day Ticket
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LONGEST HIKE ON MOUNT WELLINGTON: Wellington Falls and the Vanishing Tarn
The Mount Wellington Summit Walk: circular hike
The Mount Wellington summit hike I suggest starts in The Springs. To get here you can drive, buy a Wellington Explorer ticket or walk from Fern Tree.
The hike is quite steep and climbs almost 600 meters over about 4 kilometers. However, the tracks on Kunanyi are incredibly well maintained and quite busy. The route follows a circular loop outlined above. I've also pinned a map below that outlines the circuit I'm proposing.
alt=“MOUNT WELLINGTON SUMMIT HIKING MAP”>
The sources for Sphinx Rock
From the Springs, take the Lenah Valley Track, accessed on the right hand side of Pinnacle Road, and walk up Mount Wellington from The Springs. This is a relatively flat route that runs along the ridge to Sphinx Rock.
alt=“MOUNT WELLINGTON HIKE TO THE SUMMIT ON THE LEENAH VALLEY TRACK”>
Sphinx Rock is a great viewpoint on Mount Wellington that offers similar (albeit lower) views of Hobart. You have to open a steel gate to get past. The council installed this gate to prevent small children from walking to the sheer cliff drop.
After taking in the views, prepare your legs for a short but sharp descent on the Lower Sawmill Track. You will find this trailhead signposted at the fork right next to the Sphinx Rock viewpoint.
alt=“SPHINX ROCK LOOKOUT HIKING MOUNT WELLINGTON”>
alt=“MOUNT WELLINGTON HIKE”>
Ultimate Tasmanian travel resource
I hope you enjoy this blog post. For more Tasmania travel and adventure inspiration, don’t miss my ultimate guides below.
– 62 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania – Where to Stay in Tasmania (Best Places) – 26 Amazing Waterfalls in Tasmania – 35 Must-Do Hikes in Tasmania
RELATED POST: 26 Awesome Things to Do in Hobart Tasmania
The Lower Sawmill Track and Organ Pipes Track
The Lower Sawmill Track is the steepest and most difficult route on this Mount Wellington hike to the summit. But don't worry, it's short-lived and before you know it you'll be jumping back onto Pinnacle Road.
alt="LOWER SAWMILL TRACK ON MOUNT WELLINGTON SUMMIT TRACK">
Cross the road and continue up until you reach a fork signposted Organ Pipes Track. This is a longer trail, but to reach the summit of Mount Wellington, turn left at this fork to follow it to the Zig Zag Track.
The organ pipes are one of Hobart's most famous landmarks. These are tall and steep dolerite columns that are one of Mount Wellington's most distinctive features. Apparently these columns were formed in the Jurassic period, when Tasmania separated from what is now the continent of Antarctica.
alt=“ORGAN PIPE TRACK, MOUNT WELLINGTON HIKING”>
The Organ Pipes Track offers a good breather for the legs after the previous steep section. After about 800 meters you will come to another fork with a signpost for the Zig Zag Track.
Zigzag track to Mount Wellington Summit
The Zig Zag Track is a steep, well-formed path that serves as the main route to the summit of Mount Wellington. While there are many hiking trails on Mount Wellington that lead to this trail, the Zig Zag Track is the only way up short of taking the road.
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alt=“ZIG-ZAG RAIL MOUNT WELLINGTON”>
This final push offers plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the views of Mount Wellington and Hobart. However, keep pushing because the best views are definitely from the summit!
alt=“MOUNT WELLINGTON HIKE, SUMMIT TRACK, ZIG ZAG TRACK”>
Mount Wellington Summit & The Pinnacle Lookout
The first sign you'll see that you're approaching the summit is the towering peak known as the Australian Radio Tower. Continuing from here will take you to the official summit point and some viewpoints.
alt=“PEAK OF MOUNT WELLINGTON”>
The observation center
The Pinnacle Observation Center is an indoor observation point with many details about the history of the construction of Pinnacle Road. It's a great place to escape the weather and admire the views from above.
As you continue past the center there are also a few epic viewpoints overlooking Hobart on a wide and spacious promenade.
alt=“HOBART FROM MOUNT WELLINGTON”>
alt=“SUMMIT HIKE ON MOUNT WELLINGTON”>
Southwest viewing platform
The second viewing platform at the summit of Mount Wellington is the South West Viewing Platform. This is another short promenade with views of Wellington Park's hinterland and the mountains beyond.
alt=“VIEW FROM THE TOP OF MOUNT WELLINGTON”>
Return to Springs via the Zig Zag Track & Pinnacle Track
The final section of the hike to Mount Wellington takes you back to The Springs via the Zig Zag Track and the Pinnacle Track. The only way back on this summit circuit is the Zig Zag Track, as there are no alternative trails to the summit.
Once you get to the fork where you got the Zig Zag Track from the Organ Pipes Track, continue straight ahead and follow the signposts to The Pinnacle Track.
This trail is much gentler than the sawmill trail and overall an easy descent back to The Springs.
More things to do near Hobart
If you enjoyed this guide to the Mount Wellington hike and summit walk, be sure to check out some of my other Tasmania blog posts. Below I have listed a few that I am sure will inspire you with travel and adventure!
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