Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the saddle descend to the swampy grasslands of Kiwi Valley. Follow the track on
your left to avoid the bogs and then pick up a 4WD track along the true right (east) side of
the river. It's a one-hour walk through the cattle flats to Hope Kiwi Lodge (20 bunks), near
the western edge of the forest. This hut is large, with five rooms and a wood stove.
Day 5: Hope Kiwi Lodge to Windy Point
5-6 HOURS, 15KM
Follow the poled route from the lodge through beech forest and grassy flats, and in around
30 minutes you will reach the Hope River swing bridge. Now on the true left (north) side of
the river, the track immediately enters a large, open flat, and it's an easy walk for the next
hour as you follow poles for 4km, until a bend in the river forces you to climb into the
forest.
The track sidles between bush and more flats, and in 2km arrives at Hope Shelter (six
bunks), marking the halfway point of the day. Little more than 7km of the journey remains.
The track stays in beech forest for the next two hours, until it breaks out onto a series of
grassy terraces and crosses farmland for 2km to a swing bridge over the
Boyle River gorge
.
On the other side the track leads past an outdoor education centre to a picnic area and a
small shelter. An unsealed road covers the remaining 500m to Windy Point Shelter on SH7,
the Lewis Pass Hwy.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Cass-Lagoon Saddles Track
Duration
2 days
Distance
30km (18.6 miles)
Track Standard
Tramping track
Difficulty
Moderate
Start
Cass train station
End
SH73 (Bealey Hut)
Nearest Town
Arthur's Pass (
Click here
)
Transport
Bus, shuttle bus, train
