Have just done the full Hollyford track and are astonished by the earlier reviews!

This is a hard multi-day tramp! The trail is free but hut passes are required for accommodation. Total walking time over four days is around 22 hours. The first section to Alabaster is relatively easy, similar to a Great Walk track. After this it becomes very much harder with days up to 6-8 hours, very difficult terrain (slippery rocks/logs; 3 wire bridges (can be pretty scary), stream crossings that may be impassible). In addition, one of the huts is usually inaccessible after rain.

All food etc must be carried. Exit options are; walk out (another 4-5 days plus food etc), flying out or jet boat back to the Pike confluence which leaves an extra 5 hours walk back to the roadend.

A fantastic trip but NOT an easy walk. For folk who have done some of the Great Walks, this is a very big step up!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago