West Matukituki Track
Alert/Important notice
There is avalanche danger during winter and spring (June-November) on the Pearl Flat to the head of the valley section.
Great Walk/Easy tramping track
Getting there
The Matukituki Valley is an hour’s drive west from Wanaka.
The track starts from the Raspberry Flat car-park.
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
Raspberry Creek car-park to Aspiring Hut
Time: 2 hr - 2 hr 30 min
Distance: 9 km
The tramp to Aspiring Hut is mainly over grassed flats – please leave farm gates as you find them – with a couple of easily negotiated small bluffs that give great views up and down the valley.
The historic Cascade Hut can be seen from the last bluff – Aspiring Hut is twenty minutes beyond this locked, private hut.
Aspiring Hut to Pearl Flat
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Distance: 5 km
The track enters the bush near Aspiring Hut. After 10 minutes a bridge crosses Cascade Creek, and a 1 km bush section emerges onto an open terrace leading to Shovel Flat. From the head of Shovel Flat there’s 400 metres of bush before you reach Pearl Flat.
Pearl Flat to head of the valley
Time: 2 hr
Distance: 3.2 km
Please note that this upper section of the West Matukituki Track is classified as a route and is suitable for experienced parties only.
From the top of Pearl Flat the track enters the bush on the river’s true right. After 10 minutes the track branches, giving access to a swing bridge across the river for the route to French Ridge Hut. Continue up the river’s true right and cross a major avalanche chute from Mt Barff.
The track then climbs through the beech forest to emerge from a patch of mountain ribbonwood to open, scrubby country. Cross the swingbridge over the West Matukituki River here. Some 500 metres upstream, 50 metres from the river, is Scotts Rock Biv, a small and not entirely waterproof rock shelter. Easy open travelling leads from the biv back across the river to the head of the valley.
Places to stay
This is a serviced 38-bunk hut in the Wanaka area.
Plan and prepare
- The route beyond the head of the valley to Bevan Col is for experienced trampers and climbers only.
- 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 Great Walk/Easy tramping track:
- Moderate day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is generally well formed, may be steep, rough or muddy
- Suitable for people with moderate fitness. Limited backcountry (remote areas) experience required
- Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged
- Light tramping/hiking boots required
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