Police hold grave concerns for a missing experienced bushwalker who was on a one month trek in the state’s far south-west.

Police received a call from National Parks and Wildlife Services on 14 December in relation to missing 76 year old walker James Hugh McLean, of Flinders Island.

Initial investigations failed to locate Mr McLean’s whereabouts and police have commenced searches in the south-west region.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was deployed on 18 December and completed a search over the marked walking tracks but no signs of Mr McLean were found.

Police have also spoken to a number of people who have completed walks along the tracks.

Mr McLean was last seen on approximately 12 November before he started a one   month walk in the south-west region.

Mr McLean signed into the Huon Track walk in the Tahune area on 13 November and was planning to walk to Melaleuca and explore some of the surrounding areas before returning on 13 December.

McLean did not reach his food drop in Melaleuca and subsequently he has not returned home. He is a reasonably experienced walker who has completed walks in this area before.

Police will continue to search the area using the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and search and rescue staff with assistance from National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Police are calling for assistance from the public and ask that anybody who may have come across Mr McLean either during the walk or who may have seen him since contact Police on 131444.