12. Hartz Peak
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3-5 hour return (3.7km one way)
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From Geeveston take road C632 for 21km to the national park. Continue 13km until the road ends. Road is unsealed for last 21km and can be covered with snow. Do not drive in snow unless your vehicle is fitted with chains as, should you become stuck, death from hypothermia could result. No rangers are based in this park. See map
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Park entry fees apply. |
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Toilet, tank water, picnic shelter and barbecue 10.5km before track start. No camping. |
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Level 4. It is a 400m climb from the car park to reach the summit of Hartz Peak. The summit is at 1254m. |
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Group C items |
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Supervise children , tracks subject to severe weather conditions all year round, weather may change quickly, tracks are difficult to navigate when covered in snow and may be impassable |
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No pets, firearms or bicycles |
In fine weather, this relatively accessible peak in the Hartz Mountains National Park gives views of the South West wilderness including Federation Peak. Walkers are warned that blizzard weather conditions can occur with little warning, in any month. All walkers, must be equipped with suitable clothing and all walking parties require navigation skills.
Highlights
Hartz Mountains National Park ranges from 160 metres at the Picton River to 1255 metres above sea level at Hartz Peak.
The great backbone of rock extending almost the entire length of the park is dolerite. This igneous rock which is very resistant to weathering, intruded into the earth's outer crust around 165 million years ago during the break-up of Gondwana. This area has also been modified over time by several ice ages. The cirques, horn peaks, aretes and glacial troughs were all formed during glacial activity on the Hartz Range.
Several frog species can be heard calling during the day. This includes the Moss Froglet which was previously unknown until it was discovered at Hartz Mountains in 1992.