Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A swing bridge crosses
Forest Burn
, which meanders confusingly before emptying into
Balloon Loop. From here it's 30 minutes along the river terrace to the swing bridge at Rain-
bow Reach, 1½ hours from the hut. There is an option to leave the track here, and catch a
shuttle back to Te Anau.
It's three hours (11km) to the control gates, with the track continuing in an easterly direc-
tion. Within one hour it swings due north to pass Queens Reach, climbing onto a river ter-
race. There are views through the trees of a set of rapids, before the track moves into an area
of manuka scrub. At Yerex Reach, two hours from the Rainbow Reach swing bridge, the
track passes a few old posts and a quiet segment of the river known as
Beer's Pool
. At this
point you're only 30 to 45 minutes from the control gates.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Hump Ridge Track
Duration
3 days
Distance
58km (36 miles)
Track
Easy tramping track
Difficulty
Moderate
Start/End
Rarakau car park
Nearest Town
Tuatapere (
Click here
)
Transport
Shuttle bus
Summary
Climbing over the crest of Hump Ridge, this community-run track is rich in nat-
ural and cultural history - from spectacular coastal and alpine scenery to the intriguing rel-
ics of a historic timber town.
Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track, although not classified as a Great Walk, has all the qualities
of one. The track winds across some of NZ's wildest land - both public and private - lead-
ing trampers through parts of Fiordland National Park, along an alpine ridge, through forest,
across Maori land and beside the south coast.
Unlike almost all major NZ tracks, this one doesn't fall within DOC's remit. It was con-
ceived and built by the local community, under the umbrella of the Tuatapere Hump Ridge
Track Charitable Trust, formed in 1995. Not only did this community group need to raise
