Greenstone and Caples Tracks

The Greenstone and Caples Tracks form a tramping (hiking) 61 kilometres (38 mi) circuit which is located in the South Island of New Zealand. Each track can be completed by itself and are linked by the McKellar Saddle[1] while the loop also links to several other tracks including the New Zealand Great Walk of the Routeburn Track as well as the Mavora Lakes Conservation Park tracks. All of these areas are part of the Te Wāhipounamu/South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area.[2]

Greenstone and Caples Tracks
Lake Rere on the Greenstone Track
Length61 km (38 mi)
LocationFiordland National Park, New Zealand
TrailheadsGreenstone carpark, The Divide
UseTramping, trail running
Highest point945 m (3,100 ft), McKellar Saddle
Lowest pointGreenstone carpark, 477 m (1,565 ft)
Difficultymedium
SeasonSpring to Autumn (open all year)
Monthslate October to mid April
SightsAlpine views, lakes, forests, tussocklands, rivers
HazardsHypothermia, high winds, rocks, roots, snow, rain, avalanche
Surfacedirt, rock, roots
Websitedoc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/greenstone-and-caples-conservation-areas/things-to-do/greenstone-and-caples-tracks
Caples river as viewed from the track

Ownership and access

The Caples Track follows the Caples River up the privately owned Caples Valley while the Greenstone Track follows the Greenstone River in the Greenstone Valley which is also privately owned. Much of the area is owned by the local tribe of the Ngāi Tahu while most of the tracks are in the Greenstone and Caples Conservation Areas with some also being a part of the Fiordland National Park around Lake McKellar. The whole track is open to public access as long as stock is not disturbed.

Huts
  • Greenstone Hut
    Greenstone Hut
  • McKellar Hut
    McKellar Hut
  • Upper Caples Hut (private)
    Upper Caples Hut (private)

There are three public huts on the tracks, the Greenstone Hut, the McKellar Hut and the Mid Caples Hut. There are also several private huts as well as some hunters huts: The Mid Greenstone Hut and the Upper Caples Hut.[3]

Access to the Mavora Lakes Conservation Park is from the Greenstone Hut. Access to the Routeburn Track is near McKellar Hut.

References
  1. "Greenstone & Caples". infotrack.co.nz. Info & Track. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  2. "Greenstone and Caples tracks". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  3. "Mid Greenstone Hut". southernlakesnzda.org.nz. NZDA Southern Lakes. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
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