Activities in the St James Conservation Area
Walks, tramps and cycle tracks
The area is best known for the dramatic St James Walkway.
Other activities
Maling Pass
The diverse landscape offers a great range of recreation activities including; walking and tramping, skiing, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, horse riding, camping, hunting, mountain climbing, picnicking, exploring / discovering, or simply just appreciating the natural peace and solitude.
The land east of the Waiau River is open to motorised vehicles, mountain biking, horse riding and dogs with a permit.
St James - west of the Waiau River provides a more natural backcountry experience, with the St James Walkway a great 5-day subalpine tramp.
Part of the Track to Maling Pass panorama
St James Cycle Trail panoramas
You can preview the cycle trail by viewing a series of 360 degree images (panoramas) starting at the Maling Pass Entrance and ending at the St James Homestead.
View panoramas
Shared use tracks
Tracks east of the Waiau River are all shared use; tramping, mountain biking, horse riding and, in the case of the Maling Pass and Edwards valley tracks, motorised vehicles.
Skiing
Hanmer Springs Ski Area is a club-run facility that operates under a concession to use public conservation land.
It is open to the public during the winter season and provides ski-hire, poma and rope tows, a day lodge and accommodation as well as a shuttle service to and from Hanmer Springs.
The ski-field road is closed to vehicles in summer, but can still be used by cyclists and walkers.
There are also opportunities for heli-skiing and ski-touring in the St James Conservation Area.
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Guided activities and tours