Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Summary This is a popular tramp that takes you over the 1070m Goat Pass, and along much
of the easy-to-follow route that snakes beside the Mingha and Deception Rivers. The high-
light is a night spent at Goat Pass Hut above the bushline.
Goat Pass Track - also referred to as the Mingha-Deception Route (the two rivers the route
follows) - is an excellent introduction to tramping in Arthur's Pass. It is also one of the least
complicated routes in the park, as long as the rivers run in your favour. Typical of the South-
ern Alps, the Bealey, Mingha and Deception Rivers can be very dangerous when in flood,
and the Deception alone requires up to 30 compulsory crossings. This tramp should there-
fore not be attempted during periods of rain. Should the crossings start to look too difficult,
backtrack or stay put - attempting a dicey crossing just isn't worth the risk.
This track forms the running leg of the Coast to Coast, NZ's most famous multisport race
that crosses the South Island from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean by a gruelling com-
bination of cycling, kayaking and running. On your travels, you may encounter some com-
petitors training. With luck you'll also encounter whio, the nationally vulnerable and very
cute blue duck.
The Goat Pass can be tramped in either direction, but the Mingha-Deception direction al-
lows for a shorter day first.
8 Planning
MAPS & BROCHURES
Your two map options are NewTopo Arthur's Pass 1:55,000, or NZTopo50 BV20 (Otira).
HUTS
Goat Pass is a Standard hut ( www.doc.govt.nz; $5) ; Upper Deception Hut and Mingha Bivou-
ac are Basic huts ( www.doc.govt.nz; free) . There are no cooking facilities in any of them.
8 Getting to/from the Tramp
The southern end of the track is at the confluence of the Bealey and Mingha Rivers, near
Greyneys Shelter, 5km south of Arthur's Pass on SH73. The northern end is at the Morrison
Footbridge at the confluence of the Otira and Deception Rivers, 19km north of Arthur's
Pass on SH73.
You can be dropped off and collected by various passing bus services by prior arrangement.
Try Atomic Shuttles ( 0508 108 359; www.atomictravel.co.nz ) and West Coast Shuttle (
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