Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HUTS
8
Getting to/from the Tramp
Both track entrances are along SH73 between Christchurch and Arthur's Pass. The Christch-
urch to Greymouth
TranzAlpine
train, operated by KiwiRail Scenic (
Click here
)
, stops at
Cass train station, where there is also a car park. At the Bealey Hut end you can be collected
by various passing bus services (by prior arrangement), including Atomic Shuttles (
Click
here
)
and West Coast Shuttle (
Click here
)
. Mountain House Shuttle (
Click here
)
, based at
Mountain House YHA, provides tramper transport around the national park.
The Tramp
Day 1: Cass Train Station to Hamilton Hut
5-7 HOURS, 16KM, 706M ASCENT, 526M DESCENT
From the car park near the Cass train station, follow the road southwest to the signposted
start of the track on SH73 (just south of the bridge over Cass River) and cross the stile into
farmland. The route is well marked with poles, and travels along a 4WD track beside a pine-
tree shelter break.
Cass River
is just beyond, and you head upstream along the gravel flats,
fording from one side to the other as necessary.
After travelling up the riverbed for 4km (about 1½ hours), an orange marker appears on
the true right (south) side; next to it is a well-defined track. You make an immediate climb,
which is steep in parts, and after 3km cross Cass River on a bridge. The track then climbs
another 90m in the next 1km to reach Cass Saddle Hut (three bunks). As far as bivvies go -
most being little more than a mattress in a tin box - this one is not bad. It's near the bush-
line, with a small table, a stove and some space inside.
Within minutes of leaving the hut you begin climbing towards Cass Saddle. Once you
break out of the trees there are great views. During winter this area is avalanche-prone, and
in summer it's easy to see why - there are steep scree slopes on both sides of the alpine
route. Poles and boardwalks lead through open tussock to
Cass Saddle
(1326m), 1.5km
from the hut; the pass is marked by a large pole. You can look down into the Hamilton Val-
ley and, on a clear day, even see the green roof of Hamilton Hut.
