East to west description

This trip is suitable for well-equipped people with previous backcountry tramping experience. Make sure you understand what you need to Know before you go.

From the eastern side, the route starts near Greyneys Shelter on SH73. It follows the Mingha River, crosses the Main Divide at Goat Pass, then follows the Deception River to come out at Morrisons footbridge on SH73, near Aickens corner.

Note: True left and true right refer to the side of the valley or river when facing and looking downstream.

Greyneys Shelter (SH73) – Mingha River – Goat Pass Hut

Time: 5 hr

5 km south of Arthur’s Pass village, cross Bealey River after it meets the Mingha River. The rivers are constantly changing course so you will need to find the best place to cross. If Bealey River is too high to ford, postpone the trip. Do not use the Bealey rail bridge to get to the Mingha.

Once across Bealey River go up the Mingha riverbed, crossing the river as necessary for about 1 hour until the river narrows to a gorge. Just past a side creek on the true right, a marked track enters the bush on that (western) side. The track climbs well above the gorge on to Dudley Knob, and then makes its way back to the river close to the bush line.

Shortly after the track emerges from the bush there is small hut, Mingha Bivvy.

Warning: Mingha Bivvy is located in known avalanche paths. Avalanches are most likely to occur during and following heavy snowfall or rain when snow loading is present on the upper mountain slopes. Do not use this hut during these high-risk periods. Check Arthur's Pass avalanche forecast

From here follow the marked trail, crossing Mingha River where it bends west towards Temple Col and is met by the stream running down from Goat Pass.

The marked track resumes here through subalpine scrub on the true left of Goat Pass Stream, leading onto boardwalk across the boggy sections. The track continues across sections of boardwalk through to the obvious summit of Goat Pass. Goat Pass Hut is in a hollow just north of the pass.

Goat Pass Hut has a radio linked to Arthur’s Pass Visitor Centre. Calls can be made during office hours for weather forecasts and information.

Side trip: Lake Mavis

Time: 2 hr

For parties in the summer with time in hand at Goat Pass, the 500 m climb to Lake Mavis is worthwhile. Climb the steep tussock and scree on the spur running east from Goat Pass, then follow the cairned ridge route – perhaps the easiest access to a high level lake in the park.

This area is subject to avalanche activity during the winter. During heavy snow conditions, we advise visitors not to travel this route unless sufficiently equipped, and experienced enough to assess the conditions and choose a safe path through avalanche terrain.

Goat Pass Hut – Deception River – Morrisons footbridge (SH73, Aickens corner)

Time: 8–9 hr

Warning: The western part of this route involves a lot of riverbed travel; route times are highly changeable depending on the state of the river crossings.

Follow the marked route down a creek bed through scrub into the upper Deception River. The route now involves scrambling and boulder-hopping down the riverbed and through adjacent bush (sometimes on distinct bits of track which may be marked). Upper Deception Hut is reached in just over an hour, before Good Luck Creek on the true right bank. It is very easy to miss this hut on its scrub-covered river terrace.

Continue on or beside the riverbed for a further 2 hours 30 minutes until it opens out into a large flat on the true left, just below Gorge Creek. Below this flat the river passes a small, warm, sulphur-smelling spring then narrows to the gates of the lower gorge. Continue on down the lower gorge for 2 hours or more to the open flat where the Deception meets Otira River.

The footbridge across the Otira is just north of the confluence (on the true right bank of the Deception).

Getting there

Greyneys Shelter is 5 km south of Arthur’s Pass village, on SH73. There is some parking available off SH73, but vehicles have been broken into.

There are also two shuttle bus services between Christchurch and Greymouth. Atomic Shuttles runs from Christchurch to Greymouth and back each day, while West Coast Shuttles does a return trip between Greymouth and Christchurch every day.