The western side of this mountain has a spectacular and extensive cliff face which plunges some 700 metres (2,300 ft) to the Mersey Valley floor.

Access to the spectacular and dominant side of Cathedral mountain is mainly via the Overland Track from Cradle Mountain during the main walking season (November to April) when a booking and fee system applies and walking the track is restricted to limited numbers and also to north–south traffic only.

A wider overview of the area is available on the Tasmap Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair Map & Notes publication.

To ascend the mountain, the most commonly used route is from the southern end of the Mersey Forrest Road on the eastern side of Lake Rowallan via the Moses Creek track.

From Tent Tarn to the Cathedral Mountain summit is two kilometres with the terrain being mainly trackless, although occasional cairns are visible.