This is a challenging 19 km circuit that takes you through almost every type of environment Tasmania has to offer, from wet forests, buttongrass moorlands, alpine heathland, and peatlands, before finishing with a rocky scramble to the summit.

The views from the top stretch across countless mountain peaks, including King William II, Mount Ossa, Frenchman’s Peak, and Church Peak.

This walk is ideal if:

Are looking for a great, and achievable challenge.

Want to see incredible wilderness diversity in one walk

Don't mind wet feet or muddy conditions

Want sweeping panoramic views of Tasmania's greatest peaks

Are willing to commit a full day to hiking

This walk takes you through an almost impossible variety of environments. You'll move between wet eucalypt forests dripping with beautiful stringy moss, open buttongrass moorlands dotted with crystal-clear tarns, alpine heathland, and peatlands. The transitions are sometimes so abrupt if feels a little like stepping through a vortex into another world. 

• Wet eucalypt forests with stringy moss and babbling streams

• Buttongrass moorlands with views across open country

• Alpine tarns reflecting the sky

• Steep rocky ascents throughout

• Tangled roots and boardwalks over wet sections

• A final scramble up a rocky 20-metre section

• Panoramic views across King William II, Mount Ossa, Church Peak, and Smiths Top

Best Time to Visit

Mount Rufus is best tackled in warmer months when conditions are drier.

Spring (September to November) brings warmer weather and the peatlands start to dry out a bit. The walk becomes much more accessible, though boots will still get wet.

Summer (December to February) is the best time to attempt this walk. The peatlands are at their driest, reducing the chance of sodden feet. Days are longer, giving you more light for a 7-hour hike. Clear, sunny skies mean the views from the top are even more beautiful! 

Autumn (March to May) is still walkable if conditions have been dry, but the peatlands are getting wetter again. Expect mud and water. Days are shorter too, so you'll need to start early.

Winter (June to August) is not recommended, but also not impossible. The peatlands are waterlogged, days are short, and conditions can change on a dime - snow is possible and you need to be prepared for it. Unless you're an experienced, leave this walk for warmer months.

Track Conditions and Things to Be Aware Of

The track is generally well-marked, though you might find sections where markers seem to vanish. Stay alert and keep an eye on the path ahead.

Waterproof boots are recommended if you are to avoid wet feet. The peatlands and sphagnum moors are almost always mushy, unless you're hiking in peak summer. Even then, expect moisture. The boardwalks help in the wettest sections, but they can be slippery.

The tangled roots throughout the walk are ready to catch your boots, so watch where you're stepping, especially if you're tired toward the end of the day.

Walking Mount Rufus

The circuit begins in forest and gradually opens out as you gain elevation. You'll move through different ecosystems as you climb, and the variety makes the 19 km go quite quickly.

The peatlands keep things wet underfoot for much of the walk. The boardwalks help with the worst sections. The track is generally well-marked, though you might find the occasional section where old and new markers seem to vanish. Stay alert.

As you climb, the views expand. The great peaks of Tasmania reveal themselves: King William II, Mount Ossa, Church Peak, and Smiths Top.

The final ascent is steep and rocky. A new wooden boardwalk is being installed for the last 100 metres, but the final 20 metres remains a scramble up a rocky section. It demands sure footing, but the summit view is worth it.

Ponder While You Wander

Keep an eye on the vegetation as you climb. You'll move through distinct ecosystem zones, and each one tells you something about elevation and moisture:

Wet eucalypt forests (lower elevations) – Look for stringy moss hanging from trees and streams running alongside the track. These forests need moisture and shelter.

Buttongrass moorlands (mid-elevation) – Once you're out in the open, the landscape flattens and opens up. Buttongrass (actually a sedge, not grass) dominates. You'll see small tarns dotted across the moorland—these shallow pools are remnants of glacial activity.

Alpine heathland and peatlands (higher elevations) – The vegetation gets smaller and tougher. Sphagnum moss forms thick, spongy mats that hold water like a sponge. This is why your feet get wet—the peatlands are essentially bog.

Alpine sedgeland (near summit) – As you approach the top, vegetation becomes sparse and low-growing. The exposed rocky sections show you're nearing the summit.