Image: Tony Doy | ©
Track through tussock with ranges in the background.
Tarn Hut tracks

Located in Puketeraki Forest Conservation Area in the Canterbury region

These tracks can be combined to form a circuit walk to Tarn Hut.

Lees Valley Road to Youngman Stream Hut

Time: 4–5 hr

Follow the Youngman Stream Track to Youngman Stream Hut.

Youngman Stream Hut to Tarn Hut

Time: 2 hr 30 min

From Youngman Stream Hut, cross the Ashley River and follow the track as it climbs a ridge to the summit of Lillburn Hill.

There are spectacular 360-degree views from Lillburn Hill over the foothill forests to Christchurch and the Port Hills beyond.

Tarn Hut is a further 20 minutes along the spur south-west of Lillburn Hill. It is sited next to a small picturesque tarn in open alpine grassland.

Lees Valley Road to Tarn Hut via Lillburn Route

Time: 4 hr 30 min

Lillburn Route provides an alternate access to Lillburn Hill summit and Tarn Hut.

The route turn-off is signposted from Youngman Stream Hut Track approximately 2 hours 30 minutes from the start of the track at the locked gate. The unforgiving route climbs very steeply up a ridge to the summit of Lillburn Hill for 1 hour 30 minutes. Tarn Hut is a further 20 minutes on from the summit.

From Oxford, follow Ashely Gorge Road for 6 km. Turn into Lees Valley Road and follow this for 29 km to a sign that indicates the vehicle track. Follow this marked track for 3.5 km to a locked gate and car park. Keep to the marked track as this is private farmland.

NZTopo50 map sheet: BV22 (Dampier Corner)

Close to Tarn Hut you can find vegetable sheep. These unusual, squat, hardy plants have adapted to survive the harsh alpine environment by forming dense, flat cushions over rocks.