Cape Pillar Walk

The Cape Pillar Walk is typically done over 2 to 3 days. The official Cape Pillar route is listed as 29 km return on the Old Cape Pillar Track or about 34 km as a circuit via Mount Fortescue and Cape Hauy, which aligns closely with this 32.74 km multi-day hike. It is a difficult walk with 1,496 m of climbing, so most hikers break it into an overnight trip rather than attempting it in one day.

The Cape Pillar Walk starts at Fortescue Bay in Tasman National Park. The track begins on the Old Cape Pillar Track about 300 meters back from the campground office along Fortescue Bay Road, and parking is available at Fortescue Bay. A valid Tasmania national parks pass is required for entry to the park.

The Cape Pillar Walk can be done either way, but the full version is commonly completed as a circuit. Parks and Wildlife Tasmania lists a 29 km return walk via the Old Cape Pillar Track and a longer 34 km circuit via Mount Fortescue and Cape Hauy. With a recorded distance of 32.74 km, this route fits the longer circuit-style option rather than a simple out-and-back.

The Cape Pillar Walk is a difficult multi-day hike with 32.74 km of distance and 1,496 m of elevation gain. The route includes long coastal walking, steep sections, rougher surfaces, and exposed terrain near the cape. Parks and Wildlife also warns of hazardous unfenced sea cliffs and strong gusty winds around Cape Pillar, which add to the seriousness of the hike.

The walk leads to Cape Pillar on the Tasman Peninsula and links with the Three Capes Track around Tornado Ridge. Major highlights include views to Tasman Island, the dramatic sea cliffs at Cape Pillar, and on the longer circuit, Mount Fortescue and Cape Hauy. One of the best-known features near Cape Pillar is The Blade, a striking rock fin on the exposed coastal section.

The most popular walking season on the Tasman Peninsula is from September through April, when demand is highest on nearby Three Capes routes. The area has a maritime climate that moderates temperatures, but Cape Pillar is exposed to strong wind and changeable coastal weather at any time of year. Spring through autumn usually offers the most reliable conditions for a difficult trip of this length.