The majestic Kunanyi, also known as Mount Wellington, rises like a silent guardian of Hobart within Wellington Park. This protected land holds ancient forests, rocky slopes, and alpine winds. Layers of nature that invite you to step slowly, breathe deeply, and discover a mountain that feels both untouchable and intimately connected to the city below.
There are many ways to reach Kunanyi’s summit from Hobart. The Zig Zag Track is one of my favourites. It’s not technically hard, but it’s challenging enough to take your breath away, and then give it back with rewarding views of the city and beyond.
The trail begins at The Springs and follows the Pinnacle Track. It climbs steadily through tall eucalyptus forest, over loose rock, and into open alpine slopes. The final stretch continues on the Zig Zag Track, a steeper and more exposed climb where dramatic views and sudden winds make the landscape feel alive.
Hiking this mountain is not just about reaching the top. It is about moving through different layers of terrain, each with its own rhythm and story.
Trail Overview
- Start: The Springs in Wellington Park
- Route: Pinnacle Track + Zig Zag Track + Summit
- Distance: ~6 km return
- Elevation Gain: 540 m
- Route Type: Out & back
- Difficulty: moderate to challenging
- Time: 2 – 4 hours
- Terrain: Rocky, steep in some sections, and exposed near the summit
- Fees/Permits: None required
- Best Time to Visit: Summer through early autumn offers the warmest conditions. Kunanyi is known for its unpredictable weather, so it’s important to check the forecast. Aim for a day when the cloud cover is above 1500 meters to avoid hiking in thick mist.
- [Check the hike on AllTrails]
Pinnacle Track: From Forest to Alpine Ascent
The first part of the trail is calm and green. It winds through cool eucalyptus forest where tall trees filter the light and ferns crowd the edges of the path. The air smells of damp bark and wet soil. Sometimes, all you hear are your footsteps, water flowing from small creeks, the call of a currawong and other birds singing hidden in the trees.
As you gain elevation, the forest begins to thin. The trees grow shorter, and the air becomes cooler. Rocks and roots replace the soft forest floor. Soon the trail opens onto exposed stone, and alpine scrub begins to take over. You start to feel the mountain more clearly, with every touch of wind and shift in terrain, you’re reminded that you’re entering Kunanyi’s higher realm.
Zig Zag Track: Steep Views Over Hobart
On the Zig Zag Track, the mood of the hike changes. Suddenly the canopy overhead is gone. Here, the trail runs exposed, zigzagging across the steep eastern face of the mountain through dolerite blocks that form a rugged stairway to the summit. Each switchback reveals a wider view of the world below. Hobart stretches along the Derwent River, and beyond it, the ocean fades into the horizon.
This section is not technical, but it is steep and demanding. The rocks underfoot demand attention, especially when the path is wet or the wind is strong. The wind does not ask permission. It arrives fast and fierce, reminding you that Kunanyi has its own weather and its own voice.
Above the Trees: Kunanyi’s Alpine Realm
Above the treeline, the landscape opens entirely. Kunanyi begins to feel like another planet: wide, windblown, and quiet in a magical way. There are no tall trees here, only low alpine plants clinging close to the ground, sculpted by wind and frost.
This is a fragile place. Some of these plants take decades to grow just a few centimetres. They survive in thin soil, freezing temperatures, and fierce winds. You begin to walk more carefully, not only because the ground is uneven, but because it feels like you have entered a space that asks for stillness and respect.
At the Summit: Sky, Stone, and Silence
The final steps to the summit feel less like a climb and more like a quiet arrival. One moment you’re walking uphill, and the next you’re standing 1271 meters above sea level.
Up here, the wind speaks in long, steady rhythm. The view stretches in every direction: the curve of the Derwent River, Hobart’s rooftops far below, Bruny Island and Opossum Bay in the distance. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Tasman Peninsula. On a misty one, the world vanishes into cloud.
There’s a weather station and viewing platforms at the top, but they often get crowded with visitors that arrive on the touristic bus or by car.
I usually wander toward a quieter edge to enjoy a snack, watching the rocks fall into space below, feeling the sky closer than the ground, and being grateful, impressed by the humility and wonder that the mountains inspire.
The weather here moves like a whisper, unpredictable and wild. One moment the mountain opens wide to sky and distance, the next it disappears beneath drifting clouds. Mist can roll in quickly, softening every edge and turning the trail into a quiet, hidden world. Kunanyi reminds you to walk with awareness, and to welcome the mountain in whatever mood it arrives.
Thoughts on Hiking Kunanyi
For me, Kunanyi is not just a destination. Like all mountains, it reshapes how I experience the journey. In just a few hours, you pass through ancient forests, climb exposed ridges, and walk across rocks shaped by time and weather. You feel small, but deeply connected to everything around you.
On the way back, I often run down the trail, letting the easier terrain carry me home. Still, I take pauses to look back, not from doubt, but from gratitude for being able to find peace in a place so beautiful.
Even though I have hiked this trail many times, each experience feels different. When I finish, I like to reflect on how I felt. Whether I felt strong, tired, anxious, or joyful, I ask myself why. Was it physical? Mental? Emotional?
Nature is a teacher, a mirror, and a quiet companion. Walking a trail I already know helps me focus on the tiny details around me, and also look more deeply into myself. It becomes a moving meditation.
“Mountains do not speak in words, but in weather, in silence, and in the steady rhythm of your own breath. Kunanyi is no exception.”
Whenever we spend time in nature, it’s important to walk gently and leave as little impact as possible. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace principles, check out my post with simple tips to help protect places like this. It’s not about rules, it’s about kindness, so wild places stay wild.
