American hiker missing in far north Queensland

An American hiker has failed to return from a bushwalk in far north Queensland, sparking a major search.

Police and SES crews have launched an air and land search for the 25-year-old woman at Mount Sorrow in Cape Tribulation, north of Cairns.

She is an experienced hiker and was carrying food and water supplies, police said.

Authorities were notified about 7pm on Thursday that the woman did not return as expected earlier that day.

She is described as Caucasian, approximately 167 centimetres tall with blonde hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt and black leggings.

AAP