Harper Pass Route

West Coast · New Zealand

Distance60.6 km (37.7 mi)all 2 sections

Climb1,183 m (3,881 ft)1,015 m (3,330 ft) down

High point970 m (3,182 ft)lowest 253 m (830 ft)

DOC's time4-5 daysas DOC publishes it

GradeAdvancedDOC

This track is mapped in 2 separate sections, so there is no single profile or walking time. Climb is added up section by section.

Map

Map: LINZ NZ Topo, Toitū Te Whenua LINZ, CC BY 4.0

Pink: the track. Orange: huts.

Plan it with offline topo maps: try it for 14 days

About the track

Harper Pass was the main pathway to and from the west coast for Māori when trading for pounamu (greenstone). Follow this historic route from west to east. River-crossing skills are essential. This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.

Huts on or near the track

Locke Stream Hut (499 m)
Hurunui Hut (611 m)
Camerons Hut (699 m)
Harper Pass Bivvy (840 m)
Hope Kiwi Lodge (639 m, bookable)
Hurunui No. 3 Hut (643 m)
Hope Halfway Hut (569 m)

Harper Pass Route on DOC's website, for track alerts, bookings and closures.