Depart Christchurch, drive north and then west over the Lewis Pass before heading inland to St Arnaud, nestled in the stunning Nelson Lakes National Park. A sort-out of gear and packing of backpacks precedes the drive up to the trail head. Our late afternoon hike gets us high among the waving tussocks of Robert Ridge. We stay at Bushline Hut - a classic kiwi hut with million dollar views of lakes and mountains. The hut sits just on the tree line and is therefore aptly named! Tuck into a scrumptious dinner and sit back and enjoy the views. Marvel on how far away the city of Christchurch now seems, and how clever you are to be on this trip! Includes lunch and dinner.
*You can also start this trip in St Arnaud if you are coming down from the north - let us know when you book.
Hike the rocky Robert Ridge trail to Lake Angelus. The trail is narrow at times and winds among rocky outcrops and across delicate alpine herb fields where you will see the unique ‘vegetable sheep’. Lake Angelus sits at an elevation of 1650 meters (5415 feet). The hut is perched above this crisp alpine lake. Grab a brew of ‘billy’ tea and soak up the views across the lake to Sunset saddle and onwards to the lofty summit of Mt Angelus at 2075 meters (6808 feet). For the keen we summit Mt Angelus this afternoon. The hike is steep and quite a scramble - there is no formed path - but the views from the top are quite something. Descend back to the hut via the beautiful Hinapouri tarns. Later we hike down the Hukere cascades and wild-camp by the stream. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
*8 hrs includes summit hike.
We descend the meandering Hukere Stream trail through beech forest and pleasant meadows to where the trail enters the Travers Valley. The Travers River leads us to the sharp blue Lake Rotoiti. A welcome rendezvous with the water taxi at Coldwater Hut takes the effort out of the last few miles. Sit back and enjoy the views on the ride back across Lake Rotoiti. Jump off the jetty into the lake, before hopping on the bus and heading to the sleepy little forestry town of Tapawera, where hot showers, a hearty meal and some R&R await to fortify you for the next multi-day hike in Kahurangi National Park. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Kahurangi is New Zealand’s second largest National Park and one of our most diverse landscapes. The track leads off beside Blue Creek, passing a few rusted mining relics before the going gets steeper (and steeper!). We climb up through beech forest before finally topping the ridge and descending via the ‘the staircase‘ into Ghost Valley. This name was given by hardy miners prospecting over 150 years ago. From here the trail rejoins Blue Creek and traces the dry marble creek bed up through distinctive Dracophyllum forest and eventually getting to the alpine shrub zone and the Granity Pass Hut. We base ourselves here (either in the hut or camping) for the next two nights. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Explore the once-glaciated karst landscape of Mount Owen where many scenes from Lord of the Rings, including Dimrill Dale, were filmed. The geology here is impressive – the massif is limestone metamorphosed into marble and riddled with caves (where dwarves may dwell), the longest cave being the Bulmer system with 36 kilometres of passages. Hike across gentle tussock slopes (watching for the elusive elves and hobbits of course) to reach the sculptured marble maze of Mount Owen itself, where some careful route finding will get us to the summit (1875 metres). The views from here are of endless wilderness: from the West Coast and Tasman sea, south to the angling-alps, east to the bright blue Nelson Lakes and to the North folds of Kahurangi’s layered mountains. We return to the hut/campsite, and sink into another night in this incredible spot. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We zig-zag leisurely down through the beech forest to the trail end. Take a snappy swim in the deep clear pools of the Wangapeka River river if you are up to it! From here we drive to our private campsite and accommodation in the Buller Gorge. We are treated to a delicious home cooked organic meal by our hosts. Time to spin some yarns and enjoy the last night as a team. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Note: for those who have to head north (to Nelson) we can drop you off in Murchison for the 5.30pm bus service.
After a leisurely breakfast we pack up and head south to Christchurch via the Lewis Pass, a truly scenic journey. Although this is a travel day, the chances are your guide will spring a couple of memorable moments on you. There are plenty of pools to swim in and short trails to amble.
Arrive in Christchurch at mid-day. Includes breakfast and lunch.
Note: The Peak Bagger is a backcountry wilderness trip where the weather and/ or river conditions may mean the itinerary needs to executed in a different order. Very occasionally we may be forced to do different hikes altogether.
