Arthur’s Pass Walking Track, Canterbury, NZ - 0 travel reviews for Arthur’s Pass Walking Track

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Arthur's Pass, Canterbury

Camping near Arthur's Pass

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Information

Arthur’s Pass Walking Track

6.8 km return | 2 hours 40 minutes return

A walk from the village to the pass, with side-shows like the Devil Punchbowl, Jack's Hut, the Bealey Chasm and Dobson Memorial.

Walking Track

Access

The track starts from the carpark at the top end of the village, from where the start of the track is signposted.

Track

Pass the junction with Devil Punchbowl Walk and weave through the mountain beech forest to the lookout over the Bridal Veil Falls.

This section of track is referred to as the Bridal Veil Walk and is 45 minutes return (2 km).

You can then continue under electricity pylons to meet SH73 at Jacks Hut (50 minutes one-way from the village).

Cross the road and pass the junction with the Bealey Valley Tracks and continue for a further 1.8 km to Arthurs Pass lookout and the Dobson Nature Walk.

Return via the same route, or exit at Temple Basin carpark and hitch back to the village.

European History

Around 1000 men worked in beastly conditions to construct the road, which when completed in 1866 provided the first access to the West Coast and goldfields. William Cawley’s stage coach service took 36 hours to get from Christchurch to Hokitika on a good day. A week if the weather packed in.

Jack’s Hut was built in 1879 at Rough Creek, as a roadman’s hut and was shifted to its present site in around 1910. Once the rail tunnel opened in 1923, there was less need for a roadman to be stationed in the area. The hut was bought by Grace and Guy Butler and renovated to be the family crib (holiday home). Thanks to community efforts, the hut was restored in 2004.

Temple Basin is a club field with great terrain and a close-knit spirit of skiers.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Canterbury

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Arthur's Pass

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-42.9338517975141

171.560425662994

Latitude
-42.9338517975141
Longitude
171.560425662994

Feature	Value	Info
Track Duration	2 to 4 hours Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 2 to 4 hours	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 2 to 4 hours
Track Difficulty	Easy walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Track Length	3km to 10km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km
Track Accommodation	Campsite Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Campsite At least one campsite is available on this track to stay at overnight.	Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Campsite At least one campsite is available on this track to stay at overnight.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.