Distance: 7.8 km (3.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 667m to 1220m. Gain: 154m. Loss: 668m . Gradient: 6 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

Good travel, there are two very steep sections of 200 m ascent / descent on either side of Moss Pass, in bush on the D'Urville side, and above the bush on the Sabine side. We found that the side stream on the D'Urville side just below the bush line is suitable for drinking water, which would have saved us carrying water from the D'Urville. Most people do this trip in the opposite direction. However, while it is a large ascent from the D'Urville to Moss Pass (about 1,100 m) the view of Blue Lake on descent to the Sabine is magnificent. It is also possible to see Lake Constance on descent.

Descending the Sabine from Blue Lake to West Sabine Hut is steep and quite rough in places, with the track crossing numerous avalanche chutes and side streams, requiring clambering into and out of them at times.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Crossing to the TL at the swingbridge, the track remains close to the river as it heads upstream.

Mostly gently rising, there are two short sharp climbs as the track approaches Blue Lake. Some lengths of boardwalk assist with dry boots and signal that the hut is very close.