These tracks can be walked in either direction. This description details the Caples then the Greenstone Track.

The Caples Track and the Greenstone Track can both be combined with the Routeburn Track.

Maps

NZTopo50 - Sheets CB9 Hollyford, CB10 Glenorchy and CC9 North Mavora Lake.

Track sections

On this page:

Greenstone road end to Mid Caples Hut
Mid Caples Hut to Upper Caples Hut
Upper Caples Hut to McKellar Hut
McKellar Hut to Greenstone Hut
Greenstone Hut to road end

Greenstone road end to Mid Caples Hut

Time: 2 - 3 hr, 9 km

Follow the Greenstone/Caples Track from the car park. After 2-3 minutes walk a stock bridge gives access to the Lake Rere Track (do not cross here but keep to the true left bank looking downstream). The track continues past the confluence of the Caples and Greenstone Rivers. Another swing bridge provides access to the Greenstone Track. From here the track continues on the true left bank of the Caples River, and along the valley floor follows the bush edge for most of the way, with occasional grassy clearings to cross.  Just before the Mid-Caples Hut (12 bunks) the track crosses a spectacular gorge. 

Mid Caples Hut to Upper Caples Hut

Time: 1 hr 30 min - 2 hr 30 min, 7 km

It is easy travel up the valley through bush and grassy clearings. Upper Caples Hut (12 bunks) is located in a clearing in the bush where the valley begins to narrow. 

Upper Caples Hut to McKellar Hut

Time: 5 - 8 hr, 13 km 

From Upper Caples Hut the track climbs steadily through beech forest. The track is quite rough with exposed tree roots and rocks. Care is required on this section of track during heavy or prolonged rain - the Caples River and side streams flood and become hazardous to cross. As the track approaches the subalpine zone the gradient becomes quite steep. The open tussock tops of McKellar Saddle are reached after about three hours. The track over the saddle has been board-walked to avoid damaging the fragile subalpine vegetation. There are good views from the saddle.

Lake McKellar, Greenstone Valley

On the west side of the saddle the track enters the bush and drops steeply over rocks and roots, before emerging on the open valley floor upstream from Lake McKellar. Some flooding may occur here after heavy rain. The track crosses the valley to a junction in the track. McKellar Hut lies to the left, and Howden Hut lies to the right. It takes about an hour to reach either hut from this point.

The track to McKellar Hut skirts Lake McKellar and follows the Greenstone Valley down river to the hut (12 bunks). 

McKellar Hut to Greenstone Hut

Time: 4 hr 30 min - 6 hr 30 min, 18 km

Cross the swingbridge in front of the hut and follow the track down river on the true left. It is a relatively easy valley walk alternating between tussock flats and bush, until the track reaches a gorge through an old land slide. Steele Creek is crossed by a swingbridge and the track veers to the right passing close to a private hut (Steele Creek Lodge). The Greenstone Hut is approximately 1-2 hours away from this location.

The track then meanders down the valley past a large white terrace bank, still keeping on the true left of the river all the way down a wide open valley before entering the bush again. A junction in the track is reached shortly after this. A right turn leads across a bridge over a gorge to the Greenstone Hut (20 bunks) and the Mavora Walkway. 

Greenstone Hut to road end

Time: 3 - 5 hr, 12 km

To continue down the Greenstone Valley to the Greenstone Carpark return to the junction via the bridge over the gorge

On the Greenstone Track the valley begins to narrow sharply as the river enters a long gorge section. In winter this section of track may be prone to avalanches. Slip Flat is a large open area about halfway down the gorge. There is an emergency bridge upstream if the creek across Slip Flat is in flood.

Beyond Slip Flat the track enters the bush again and follows the river down to its junction with the Caples River. Several deep pools next to the track offer good swimming on hot days. Parts of the track cross private land and stock may be present. Continue to the confluence with the Caples River. Near the confluence is a swing bridge crossing the Caples to the true left bank. Here you join the Caples Track. Trampers wishing to walk out to the car park should follow the track downstream for 30 minutes.

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