We could see for miles in every direction. Beyond the heathlands of the park we could see the glowing white sand lining the beaches, mesmerizing turquoise water and some of the 100 islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago in the distance. We were stood at the top of Frenchman Peak.
The location
Frenchman Peak is a 262 meter granite peak protruding from the grounds of Cape Le Grande National Park near Esperance, Western Australia.
Cape Le Grande National Park is located 50kms from Esperance on the southern coast of Western Australia, about an 8 hour drive from Perth. Esperance is a fundamental destination on any south western road trip from Perth. We visited on our road trip around Australia and arrived from the east after crossing the Nullarbor.
The hike
Standing gloriously in the middle of the park the peak is very inviting. Beginning from the car park the walk begins by taking a flat path to the east side of the peak. You reach the real beginning point when you reach the smooth granite rock which starts ascending. The brochures had described the east side as a gentle slope. We looked at the sign quizzically. It was pointing straight up the peak. I wouldn’t exactly call it a ‘gentle’ slope.
The start of the hike to the top
At times, the smooth rock surface was almost vertical and a bigger challenge than we had anticipated. Shaun thought it was great just dreaming about riding his trial bike up the peak. After forty-five minutes of hiking we reached the top. Funnily our phones started going crazy. The national park does not have any mobile reception but we had just climbed high enough that we connected to the signal for the first time in days. The entry to the top has an inviting cave to shelter from the wind and a flat surface to stand on, originally formed by waves over 40 million years ago. You could just imagine Aboriginal people living here at, what seems like, the top of the world. They refer to the peak as Mandooboornup and it is important place in Aboriginal mythology.
Carrying on around the caves we made it up to the very top of the peak. The 360 degree panoramic view was incredible. We just sat in peace at the top for a while taking in nothing but the sound of the wind and these amazing views.
It took us around 2 hours to hike the 3km round trip and it was well worth it. I cannot recommend a visit to Cape Le Grande National Park enough. It is so idyllic and beautiful here with the added bonus of being able to disconnect from the world with no power or mobile reception. It is a nature lovers paradise.
Sunset in Cape Le Grande
Have you ever hiked Frenchmans Peak or visited the beautiful Cape Le Grande National Park? If you have, let me know your thoughts below.