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Frenchman Peak Trail, Cape Le Grand NP

Frenchman Peak Cape Le Grand Jacki Baxter +5 Gallery
Bush Walk
Trail difficulty
Stay on the route marked by rock cairns. Do not attempt to take short cuts as the rock is deceptively steep, especially on descent. This walk is not recommended in wet or windy weather.
Trail difficulty

Extreme trail with very rough surface, and may have very steep hills, arduous rock hopping or rock scrambling. Limited or no directional signage. For very experienced bushwalkers with navigation and emergency first aid skills, and high level of fitness.

  • Length 3km
  • Est. time 1-3 hours
  • Return
Today

23°C

30°

19°

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In the south-west corner of the park, massive rock outcrops of granite and gneiss form an impressive chain of peaks including Mount Le Grand (345m), Frenchman Peak (262m) and Mississippi Hill (180m). They are the result of erosion and movements in the Earth’s crust over the past 600 million years.

Caves and tunnels found in the peaks are thought to have been formed or enlarged by wave action and underwater currents during a period some 40 million years ago, when sea levels were at least 300 metres below their current level and the peaks were largely submerged.

A party led by explorer and prominent colonist John Forrest passed through the area in 1870, in search of good country for pasture. During this expedition, Frenchman Peak was named by his brother, surveyor Alexander Forrest, because its shape was said to resemble a man wearing a Frenchman’s cap. The Aboriginal name for the peak was Mandooboornup.

There is a hard 3km return, 2 hour walk to the summit to enjoy outstanding views over the coast. Please follow footpath from the car park to the easy angled east slope - do not attempt to short cut as the rock is deceptively steep, especially on descent. This walk is not recommended in wet or windy weather.

Esperance Parks and Wildlife Office

(08) 9083 2100

Esperance Visitor Centre

(08) 9038 1555

National Parks

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Be trail ready

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

2 hours return

Length

3km return

Fees

National Park fees

Trail Access

Road 2WD

Trail Start

Cape Le Grand National Park 45 minutes drive from Esperance off Lucky Bay Road (758km SE of Perth)

Get directions

Trail End

When to go

All year round except in wet or windy conditions.

What’s the weather like?

Bush Walk

Class 5

Extreme trail with very rough surface, and may have very steep hills, arduous rock hopping or rock scrambling. Limited or no directional signage. For very experienced bushwalkers with navigation and emergency first aid skills, and high level of fitness.

Additional information

Stay on the route marked by rock cairns. Do not attempt to take short cuts as the rock is deceptively steep, especially on descent. This walk is not recommended in wet or windy weather.

What To Pack

Hazards & Warnings

This walk is not recommended in wet or windy weather.

Prohibited items

No pets in National Parks

Biodiversity

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions undertakes 1080 baiting at this location to reduce the impacts of feral cats and foxes on native wildlife. 

Meat baits containing 1080 poison are laid in or around this area on an ongoing basis. 1080 is poisonous to humans and will kill domestic cats and dogs. Please leave your pets at home or prevent them from entering this area.

For further information contact your local Parks and Wildlife Service office or visit Western Shield.

Facilities

  • Car Park
  • Lookouts
More tips for being Trail Ready

Today Apr 23, 5:47am

23°C

Feels like 22°C

Max 30°

Min 19°

Precipitation: 1%

Visibility: 10km

Wind: 5.14km/h N

8-day forecast

Thu

30°

19°

Fri

28°

17°

Sat

27°

19°

Sun

26°

17°

Mon

24°

19°

Tue

30°

21°

Wed

32°

22°

Thu

31°

15°

Weather data provided by:

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7 trail goers have rated this trail as 4.57 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

léa labeur

Reviewed 7 Jan 2026, 5:08pm

Contrary to what many users and reviews on several sites suggest, we did not find this hike particularly difficult.
In fact, we almost didn’t do it at all because everywhere we read described it as extremely challenging and requiring a very high level of fitness. That really wasn’t our experience.
Yes, the trail is steep and the climb is mostly on rock, but on a dry day it felt very secure. The rock isn’t smooth or slippery, and there’s good natural grip most of the way up.
I completed this hike with my 65‑year‑old mum, and it took us about 1 hour and 15 minutes return, including plenty of stops on the way up to take photos and have drinks, as it was a relatively hot day. We never felt rushed or unsafe.
Good shoes are definitely a great idea, as they really help with feeling sure‑footed on the rocky sections, but no technical skills or scrambling experience were needed.
Overall, I’d absolutely recommend this hike to anyone travelling through Cape Le Grand National Park. If you’re reasonably active, take your time, and choose a dry day, this is a very achievable walk with stunning views at the top—and not nearly as intimidating as many reviews make it sound.
Georgia Shinnick

Reviewed 25 May 2024, 4:36pm

Frenchman's peak is a very challenging but rewarding hike. It is extremely steep and can be very nerve racking at some points with smooth surfaces of vertical rock. Some fitness is required for this hike and be treated with caution. But the views out across the national park are beautiful and breathtaking.
BJ Green

Reviewed 18 Mar 2023, 7:59am

The incline up the peak used a lot of cardio but we just stopped when needed and we are glad we pushed ourselves to the top once we got passed the cave section it became so much easier fitness wise the view was breathtaking the entire way up well worth the walk
You need good footwear
Also coming down was not as hard as we thought it would be
Rebecca Reid

Reviewed 6 Jan 2023, 9:30pm

A challenging and epic journey to the top of Frenchmans Peak, with spectacular panoramic views of the Cape Le Grand National Park! I completed this walk after a rain shower had cleared, so the steep sections of granite slopes were quite slippery, but still achievable (would definitely avoid if raining). There was adequate signage on the way up, but quickly lost our way on the returning journey, so keep an eye out for the arrows to ensure a safe descent.
Bruce Weiland

Reviewed 12 Dec 2022, 6:27pm

November 2022 - the first time I've climbed it. A dry but windy (as usual!) day. Not recommended if wet. I thoroughly enjoyed the climb despite being somewhat scared of heights. So some steeper/smoother sections caused perspiration but in reality it was all good. The cave near the top is great, as are the views from the top. Good path to get to the start of the climb.
Paul Hyndes

Reviewed 18 Jul 2020, 2:39pm

I have lost count of the times I've climbed Frenchman's Peak having first climbed it in 1976, most recently May 2020. Stunning views over the Park and a fascinating cavern at the top. It never gets old.
Simon Mendelawitz

Reviewed 22 Apr 2015, 5:50pm

Frenchman's Peak is fabulous and a must do when in Cape Le Grand. Great views over to Lucky Bay and Esperance and a very cool cave that used to be a sea cave.

Definitely need to do this walk in dry weather as the rock slope is steep and slippery when wet... Bon Jovi would love it as do we!

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