Sawcut Gorge/Isolated Hill Route
Alert/Important notice
Any trip in this area is a serious undertaking due to the hazards of rising rivers and falling rocks.
There are no tracks as such and the riverbed is rocky. Anyone venturing off the marked route should carry Topo50 map BS28, Kekerengu.
Track category
Route
Description
People crossing the river, Sawcut
Gorge
Sawcut Gorge route - 3 hr return
The marked route starts from the riverbed. From here, look out for the orange triangles directing walkers in and out of the riverbed.
After 45 minutes to an hour walking and crossing the river several times, you arrive at the reserve boundary. From here the route leaves the riverbed for a short while then meets Isolated Creek.
After 30 minutes you reach the spectacular Sawcut Gorge. The stream flows through this chasm, which is 150 metres deep, but in places, is only 2 metres wide.
Isolation Route - 2 hr 30 min one way
Follow the route from the Blue Mountain Station carpark to Sawcut Gorge (1 hr 30 min).
Beyond the gorge the marked route continues in the riverbed for an hour to Isolation Hut. From here further marked routes give opportunities for exploring the surrounding hills and vegetation, for hunting or a climb up Ben More (1244 m).
Trampers staying in Isolation Hut are asked to write their name on the white board at Blue Mountain Station and sign the visitors book. This is to allow other trampers to see who is in the area and staying in the hut and whether they need to carry a tent.
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Getting there
Turn off State Highway 1 on the north side of the Waima River Bridge 55 km south of Blenheim (72 km north of Kaikoura) into the Waima/Ure Valley and follow the narrow gravel road up to Blue Mountain Station, 12 km from State Highway 1.
The access to this area is through private property, please respect this by leaving the gates as you find them and parking appropriately. 2WD vehicles must angle park right to the edge of the drive in the carpark at Blue Mountain Station homestead. 4WD vehicles may go down to the lower carpark or onto the riverbed but are not to cross the river.
About the area
Marlborough Rock Daisy
This is a geologically and botanically interesting area that invites exploration by experienced walkers and hunters.
The vegetation varies from beech forest to tussock grasslands, while some of Marlborough's unique and/or threatened plants cling tenaciously to the steep rock walls. Intensive goat, possum and weed control programmes are undertaken in this reserve to protect these plants.
Much of the rock here is stark white limestone, interspersed with grey wedges of argillite, sandstone and mudstone. Several pools along Isolated Creek smell distinctly of sulphur.
Plan and prepare
Please remember
- Follow the instructions of the Blue Mountain Station owners on the sign attached to the gate as you enter their property.
- Backcountry Hut Ticket or a Backcountry Hut Pass are required to stay overnight in the DOC huts in the area.
- Marlborough has a dry climate and fire is a significant hazard to human safety, natural areas and agriculture. Open fires are not permitted at any of the East Coast reserves and only portable stoves should be used for cooking.
- Please take your rubbish away with you - no facilities are provided.
- Dogs are not allowed without dog access permit and permission of Blue Mountain Station owners.
- Purity of drinking water cannot be assured unless it has been boiled, filtered or treated.
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