French Ridge Track
Tramping track
Time:
4-5 hours
Distance:
7.2 km
Getting there
French Ridge Track is in the Matukituki Valley, an hour’s drive west from Wanaka.
The track starts at Aspiring Hut which you get to on the West Matukituki Track.
About the area
The East and West Matukituki Valleys offer enjoyable day walks across farmland and beech forest flats, as well as access to a number of demanding tramping and climbing routes in Mount Aspiring National Park.
Mount Aspiring National Park is a wonderful mixture of remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful river valleys. It is a walker's paradise and a must for mountaineers.
Description
From Pearl Flat, ford the river to the east bank or cross the bridge 1 km upstream. The track enters the bush and climbs steeply all the way to the ridge – with narrow guts and creek beds to negotiate in the sub-alpine zone. Then follow the gentle tussock slopes for about 1 km.
The hut is on flattish ground, just below the normal summer snowline of 1465 metres.
Places to stay
This is an alpine serviced 20-bunk hut in the Wanaka area.
Plan and prepare
- The upper part of the French Ridge Track is very exposed and can be treacherous in bad weather.
- Plan properly and ensure that your group has a capable leader.
- Overnight trampers need a sleeping bag, cooking utensils and sufficient food, warm and waterproof clothing – including gloves and hat.
- Good fitness and equipment make all the difference to enjoying your trip, especially as unpredictable weather patterns mean that cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. These valleys aren’t closed in winter, but snow can make travel difficult and dangerous.
- Register your intentions at the DOC visitor centre in Wanaka before starting your trip and sign out at the end of your trip. Searches are expensive and time consuming!
What to expect on a tramping track:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
- Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Tramping/hiking boots required
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