Routes
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DOC Land
Altitude: 0m to 713m. Gain: 2732m. Loss: 2755m . Gradient: 5 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Streams (2/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)
Altitude: 14m to 16m. Gain: 2m. Loss: 1m . Gradient: 0 deg (Flat)
Skills:
Track is very muddy (in December) with frequent need to divert through adjourning trees to get around the bog.
Altitude: 0m to 416m. Gain: 618m. Loss: 601m . Gradient: 5 deg (Gentle)
Skills:
Southern Circuit Track. Steadily becomes less boggy as we climb away from sea level. Well formed track through mature bush. Eventually opens up on Doughboy Hill with scattered open areas with streams/swamps across the hill top. Steep descent into the spectacular Doughboy bay.
Altitude: 1m to 216m. Gain: 256m. Loss: 72m . Gradient: 4 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)
Doughboy beach is stunning. Enjoy the walk along the beach and watch out for Sea Lions.
At the South end of the beach is a 'cathedral' tunnel that looks spectacular.
The Smugglers track can be found behind the dunes at the far end of the beach on the spur that drops down from Pt 150. This is immediately before the side stream heads inland. Look for a rocky outcrop and there is a rock bridge you should walk over. Look closely for any tape.
The route rises to Pt 150 and then follows the ridge line SE. Pick your time to head SE across a broad saddle and up the spur. In 2021 there was fairly regular blue plastic ties in the bush, but it is easy to lose these so you much be willing to navigate without any markers if necessary.
The bush here is generally open and easy travel.
Altitude: 97m to 226m. Gain: 111m. Loss: 240m . Gradient: 6 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)
Heading South East.
Watch for track markers. By far the most common is a bit of Orange twine hanging from a branch. But other types of marker appear occasionally.
The track is mostly non existent, but sometimes you can see evidence of a bit cleared undergrowth.
Be prepare to navigate without a track. Much of this area is very bland so you need a compass. But the bush is quite dense in places making it hard to stay on the compass bearing. Good luck
No water on this segment, except we found a puddle in the distinct Nth/Sth gully about 80% of the way along.
No obvious camping spot close to the river. We camped on the spur to the East of the crossing. 5 min walk back to the stream to get water.
Spur east of creek crossing. A couple of small tent site options on the spur.
Altitude: 97m to 624m. Gain: 559m. Loss: 32m . Gradient: 7 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills:
A long slog up the spur to the Tin Range. The 'track' markers were frequent on the lower part of this climb, but become less frequent the higher we went.
It is common to lose the 'track' and have to bush bash onwards.
There are many machete cuts on the old 'track' that help with guidance.
The climb from the 300 to 400 m altitude was particularly tough as we could not find any sign of an old 'track'. It would be difficult to find the track if coming from the top.
Anyone travelling this route should consider taking plenty of tape/twine and update the markers. We did a little of this (but wished we had taken more tape!)
Altitude: 497m to 651m. Gain: 295m. Loss: 373m . Gradient: 8 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7)
The route along the Tin Range is relatively straight forward but would be tougher in poor visibility. Generally there is a 'track' to follow with the odd cairn to look out for.
Picturesque Tarn on the south side of Mt Allen.
Camping options at the north end on the sandy beach (if not raining) and at the southern end on clear but slightly boggy ground.
Altitude: 517m to 711m. Gain: 527m. Loss: 375m . Gradient: 7 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)
Open Top traverse.
Going around Mt Allen (and the hill to the north of Mt Allen) there is an unmarked track through the rocks.
The rest of the way you you can walk where you please although there are a few spots of formed track.
Watch out for the Southern NZ Dotterel which is critically endangered and roosts on these high points. (ie don't walk though tussock and look where you put your feet!) DOC also have traps and staff shooting feral cats in the area, so be wary.
Altitude: 15m to 713m. Gain: 104m. Loss: 802m . Gradient: 7 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7)
An Old Track Officially closed but partly maintained for trapping purposes
You can find out map at http://www.mapspast.org.nz/ (pre 1999)
Poled above the tree line and then into the scrub and ultimately the bush. Track is easy to follow, but often overgrown which takes a bit of pushing through the scrub. Track improves near the bottom.
Altitude: 14m to 16m. Gain: 1m. Loss: 2m . Gradient: 0 deg (Flat)
Skills:
Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey
Track is very muddy (in December) with frequent need to divert through adjourning trees to get around the bog.
Altitude: 0m to 52m. Gain: 259m. Loss: 257m . Gradient: 3 deg (Flat)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)
Coastal track along South West Arm
Often muddy with a few very serious bogs that take a bit of navigating unless you are willing to get very wet and muddy!