Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Tramp
Day 1: Lower Hollyford Road to Hidden Falls Hut
2-3 HOURS, 9KM
After floods washed out a road bridge in 1994, the Hollyford became 1km longer and it now
begins at a swing bridge over Humboldt Creek. Within 1km, the track sidles along a rock
bluff on a raised boardwalk that clings to the bluff's face and then descends to cross a swing
bridge over Eel Creek.
Less than one hour from the car park you reach a bridge over
Swamp Creek
. The force of
the 1994 floods is clearly seen here, with one side of this stream completely cleared of bush
and trees.
The track remains level and dry, skirting Swamp Creek for a spell before emerging at the
banks of the
Hollyford River
for the first time. At this point the track closely follows the
true right (east) bank of the river and offers an occasional view of the snowcapped
Darran
Mountains
to the west. It's about 4.5km from Swamp Creek to a point where the track
emerges onto the open flat of
Hidden Falls Creek
, quickly passing the signposted junction
to Sunshine Hut, a private shelter for guided trampers.
Just beyond the hut, a side track leads to
Hidden Falls
, two minutes upstream from the
swing bridge. The waterfall is stunning and aptly named, as a rock cleft partially blocks the
view. You can boulder hop along the stream to get a better view of the cascade.
Hidden Falls Hut (12 bunks) is 15 to 20 minutes away, on the northern side of the swing
bridge, along the edge of a large river flat. There is a fine view of
Mt Madeline
(2536m) to
the west.
Day 2: Hidden Falls Hut to Lake Alabaster Hut
3-4 HOURS, 10.5KM
The track departs from behind the hut, and passes through a forest of ribbonwood and podo-
carps for 2km before beginning its climb to
Little Homer Saddle
(168m). It's about a 30- to
45-minute climb through beech forest to reach the saddle. The march up is steady but not
steep, and along the way there are views through the trees of Mt Madeline and
Mt Tutoko
(2723m) - Fiordland's highest mountain and one of NZ's most inaccessible peaks - to the
west.
