Are you thinking about hiking Frenchman Peak while you’re visiting Esperance but aren’t sure whether it’s worth it?
I’ve done the hike a few times now and every time I go, I discover something new. It’s tiring and a bit of a challenge, and I’ve come unstuck (literally) a few times on the trail before. So, buckle up and learn the hard lessons from me without having to make the mistakes yourself!
Read on to find out my best insider tips to help you have the best possible time when you visit.
1. It’s Short But It’s Tough
The hike to get to the top of Frenchman Peak is only 2.5km return, but don’t underestimate the distance because it is a TOUGH trail. The start of the hike takes you through the scrub and around to the back side of the rock. It then rapidly ascends straight up the granite rock face – the trail will see you gain 164 metres of elevation.
The trail is considered a Grade 5 hike, meaning it’s suitable for ‘highly experienced, self-reliant hikers with emergency first aid and navigation skills. Trails can be unmarked, long, very rough and very steep. Rock scrambling will be required’.
The Grade 5 feels warranted once you’ve scrambled about halfway up – it is steep, there’s no shade, and nothing to hold onto. The trail usually takes 1 – 2 hours to complete, however people have done it in much shorter and much longer time frames. The timing really depends on your pace and how long you want to spend at the top.
If you want to see it on a map or clock your own time, check it out on AllTrails.
2. Spring and Autumn are the Best Times to Go
Esperance is a windy place, so to have the best chance of great weather head out to Frenchman Peak in Spring or Autumn. The days are cooler, much less windy than summer, and your chance of getting rain will be a lot lower.
Plus, Spring comes with wildflowers! Who wouldn’t want to see one of Australia’s most pristine National Parks in full bloom?
3. It’s in Cape Le Grand National Park
Frenchman Peak is located within the Cape Le Grand National Park and will take you about 45 minutes to drive to from Esperance. Because it is in a WA National Park, standard Park Entry Fees apply.
4. Leave Your Dog at Home
Just like all Western Australian National Parks, dogs or other pets are not allowed to enter. So be sure to plan ahead and leave your pets in town or at home.
5. Google Maps Will Try to Take You to the Wrong Place
If you just type ‘Frenchman Peak’ straight into Google Maps it’s likely that it’ll pick the bogus landmark with the same name. If you pick this bogus landmark, you will be on your way to some sand dunes far off behind Le Grand Beach…not a good start to your hike!
Make sure you type in ‘Frenchman Peak carpark’ (This is the right Google Maps location) to be sure you get directions to the right place.
6. There’s a Huge Cave to Explore (and it’s at the False Summit)
Just before you get to the summit you will find an amazing cave waiting to be explored! Climb into the opening at the back of the cave and look across the landscape towards the coast and Lucky Bay. You can see for miles out to sea from here and if you look up you will see the huge granite dome looming above you.
The cave was carved out of the granite about 40 million years ago when the sea level was 300 metres higher than it is now. The granite that forms the entire ‘Frenchman Peak’ is much older, around 1 to 2 billion years old (some of the oldest rocks on Earth!).
The summit itself sits on top of the cave. Most people get to the ‘false summit’ where the rock flattens out and assume that that’s the end. Keep following the trail markers behind the cave to find your way to the very top. The Aboriginal name for the peak is Mandooboornup.
7. It Gets WINDY When You’re Climbing up the Rock Face
Even if you’ve picked a perfect day in Spring there’s a good chance there will be some wind around. If you’ve picked a ‘typical Esperance day’ then you’re in for a good breeze!
The trail is extremely exposed and very steep, so adding wind to the equation can make it quite a challenging experience. To stay safe while you’re out there, stick to the designated trail (follow the markers stuck to the rocks), stay away from the steeper parts of the rock and don’t go too close to any ledges.
Sudden and strong wind gusts are common for the area so be aware of your footing at all times.
8. Take a Rain Jacket
This wouldn’t be an Esperance hiking guide without the advice to carry a rain jacket! Even in summer, unexpected showers can blow across without any warning. Add rain to a windy day and you’ve got a recipe for being very cold and uncomfortable at the top of a huge rock.
I always pack a rain jacket when hiking in Esperance even when it’s perfectly sunny when I set out. It’s a good time when I don’t have to get it out of my bag, but an even better time when I don’t have to spend hours miserable and wet until I get back to my car!
9. You’ll Also Need Some Sun Protection and Plenty of Water
Equally harsh when compared to the wind and rain is the searing Esperance sun. For some reason it’s a lot easier to get sunburnt in Esperance than it is in Perth – so be warned!
An essential part of your hiking kit should be a hat and sunscreen. It’ll probably be too windy to keep your hat on all the way up, but you’ll be thankful to have it once you’re at the top.
There’s no water available anywhere in the National Park so you’ll need to bring your own. Plan to have at least 3 litres of water per person and consider more if it’s going to be above 25°C. You’ll be at maximum exertion for a considerable portion of the hike, so plenty of water will prevent dehydration and cramping.
10. You’ll Have an Incredible Time if You Hike at Sunrise!
My absolute favourite way to enjoy Frenchman Peak is at sunrise, it simply can’t be beaten or truly explained. It’s a bit more of a serious operation to hike up the side of the rock in the dark, so I would only recommend this to experienced hikers or those who have hiked this trail before.
Take a cap lamp, some spare batteries, a nice warm jumper and a picnic rug so that you can spend a little time quietly watching the land come alive with the sun.
11. Its only 10 minutes from Lucky Bay
The world’s most pristine beach – Lucky Bay – is only a 10-minute drive from Frenchman Peak. If you really want to make the most of your time in this stunning part of the world, consider including the rest of the National Park in your plans for the day.
If you have more time, camp a night or two at Lucky Bay. Booking this in advance is essential as it’s often fully booked months ahead of time. The campground has had some great upgrades since it was first established and now offers showers, toilets, and basic camp kitchens/shelters with BBQs. There’s no drinking water or power available, so be sure to plan ahead.
12. The Rocks are Slippery Even When Dry
This has always been a lesson I learn the hard way; just because a rock looks dry it doesn’t mean it won’t be slippery! Take your time when you’re scrambling up the rock face and be mindful that there are no guarantees your shoes are going to stick to a rock.
Sometimes there are little bits of broken rock littered across the rockface, meaning rocks that look fairly solid will actually crumble under your feet. Just be mindful, take note of where you’re stepping, and take it slowly.
13. Do Not Attempt if it’s Raining (or Has Been Raining in the Last 24 Hours)
I know this sounds a bit extreme and dramatic, but I would certainly not waste my time or risk my own safety to do this hike in the rain. There have been a number of rescues from Frenchman Peak over the years for people who have lost their footing and fallen down the rock.
The granite becomes extremely slippery once it’s wet and most sections of the hike will become impossible to do safely in the rain. There is no railing or trees to hold onto when you’re on the steepest (and most dangerous) parts of the hike.
Once the rain has cleared it can take days for the rock to properly dry out. Since the trail is on one side of the rock and shaded half the day, depending on the season it can take a long time for the rock to dry out. If you get to the steep part of the rock and it is too slippery and wet to safely climb – just turn around and do something else for the day. The conditions will not improve the higher you go, so don’t keep going in the hope of drier sections.
14. You Can Look Over Some of Esperance’s Most Spectacular Beaches
If good weather prevails and you make it to the summit, you will be rewarded by an incredible view across the landscape. You can see out to Lucky Bay and beyond and you’ll have a great view of Mount Le Grand and the beaches towards the west. You will even be able to spot some secret beaches that you can only get to with a boat!
15. Pack a Picnic to Have at the Summit
No hike would be complete without a picnic in a beautiful place…the end goal of many a hiker! With uninterrupted 360° views of the landscape from the summit it would be a waste not to sit and really take it in. Yes, you will have to carry up everything you want to eat, but at least you won’t have to carry it back down!
16. Plan to Use the Amenities at Lucky Bay
There are no public toilets or facilities (other than a picnic table) at the Frenchman Peak carpark. So plan to use the amenities at Lucky Bay, or wherever you’ve come from, before you arrive.
17. Anyone Can Get There – It’s 2WD Accessible
It’s a relatively flat, sealed road all the way from Esperance to the Frenchman Peak carpark, so it’s suitable for almost any vehicle. Do be mindful that the carpark is quite small and has no turnaround area (unless there are empty parking bays), so plan ahead if you have a larger vehicle, van, or caravan.
18. It Is Suitable for Kids – But Only if You’ve Taken Them on Hard Hikes Before
The Frenchman Peak Hiking Trail is kid-friendly, but only if your children have been on difficult hikes before. I would only recommend taking children on this hike if you know they could handle a very steep, rough and difficult rock climb.
Be mindful that the hike traverses straight up the side of a huge rock – meaning there are lots of ledges, drop offs, and steep uneven sections. Once you reach closer to the summit there are more and more places you can easily get lost or take a wrong step and suddenly be tumbling over the edge of a huge cliff.
Only you know your child’s capabilities and your ability to keep them safe. Ensure that you have emergency first aid and communication device if you plan to do this hike with kids.
19. You Can’t Get Too Lost, Even if You Miss a Few Trail Markers
The trail follows a fairly simple route for the most part – straight up the side! Even if you miss a few trail markers along the way, if you keep moving in the same direction it’s likely that you’ll find them again.
If you do get lost or have a funny feeling you’re not on the right path, pause right away and have a look around. Stop moving, look upwards to see if you can see any markers, and look behind to where you’ve come from. If you can’t find a way forward, then retrace your steps until you find the last marker. Never keep walking if you’re lost, you’ll only get yourself into a worse situation.
20. Don’t Step on Any Mossy or Dark Coloured Rocks
Similar to black ice on roads, black or dark coloured patches on rocks can be extremely slippery. It might be tempting to step onto a squishy looking bed of moss that appears to offer some traction – but don’t be tempted. These mosses tend to hold a lot of water (that’s why the moss grows!) and the combination of the slimy moss and the water make it very slippery.
Avoid green or black mossy patches as much as possible and go around even if it makes the route a few steps longer. Yet another lesson I learned the hard way, moss is NOT soft to land on, and will not save your pants or legs from getting shredded!
21. If You’re Not Confident Tackling Steep Parts, Get Your Arms Involved
If you come to a really steep section that looks impossible to pass, don’t be afraid to use your hands! Get down close to the ground to lower your centre of gravity and use your hands to help you climb the rock – on the way up and on the way down.
Trust me, this will save your quads later too!
22. Wear Sturdy Running or Hiking Shoes – Thongs Are No Good
As unprepared but keen as you may be, it is never a good idea to hike Frenchman Peak in thongs or floppy shoes. If you’ve got the wrong shoes it can lead to you taking a tumble and suddenly being in need of rescue. No one wants to be injured on their holiday, so do the right thing and wear a pair of good enclosed shoes like runners or hiking boots.
23. Leave the Place Better Than You Found It
Whenever you visit a National Park or anywhere in nature, it is your responsibility to leave the place better than you found it – even if that means picking up someone else’s rubbish. National Parks rarely have bins, so make sure that you take all your rubbish out of the Park with you.
Keep in mind that the place you are visiting has significant environmental values, so stick to designated paths and be respectful of the animals and plants that live there. Be mindful of the other trail users and consider that you are all there to enjoy the same natural environment – peace and quiet are highly valued!
Final Thoughts on Frenchman Peak?
I can’t think of any reasons why you wouldn’t add Frenchman Peak to your hike list while you’re at Cape Le Grand! The sweaty trek up will reward you with stunning views and a broad sense of the incredible landscape below. Pause a moment to take it in and give thanks to our beautiful planet.
Let me know if you have any other great tips for this hike, or if you have any questions about what to expect by leaving a comment below.