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Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand

Looking for the best backpacking in Ashburton Lakes? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Ashburton Lakes. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Ashburton Lakes

  • Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand

    Mountain Bike to Boundary Creek Hut

    The track to Boundary Creek Hut follows an old 4WD track for about 9 km () with minimal height gain on the way in. Not long into the ride, you will pass another 4WD track with marker poles – this heads to the Garden of Eden (not the glacier one), so keep on the main track.About 2 km (1.2 miles) f...
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  • Staveley, New Zealand

    Hike the Mount Somers Track Circuit

    5.0
    16.2 mi
    The Mount Somers circuit is a tough 26km adventure, but it rewards you with constantly changing but beautiful scenery. From the start at the Sharplin Falls carpark, the trail immediately climbs upward through lush forest. As soon you reach a highpoint, you descend again to cross the river (via a ...
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  • Castle Hill, New Zealand

    Hike Mt. Cheeseman

    9.9 mi / 4265.1 ft gain
    Follow the Hogsback Track until you reach the clearing just after the Waterfall Creek crossing. Hike through the clearing towards the toe of Mt Cheeseman's east ridge.Work your way up the ridge by linking a network of tussock slopes, ledges, scree slopes snow patches and crumbly rock. Eventually ...
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  • Westland National Park, New Zealand

    Camp on Alex Knob

    4.0
    11 mi / 3800 ft gain
    From Highway 6 on the New Zealand South Island's west coast, take the Glacier Access Road for 2km to where the signposted Alex Knob track begins. There will be a obvious parking lot on the right.The trail begins at the parking lot breaks off to the left from the Lake Wombat trail about a half-mil...
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  • Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

    Hike to Muller Hut

    6.2 mi / 5905.5 ft gain
    One of the most spectacular hikes in New Zealand next to New Zealand's highest mountain - Mount Cook (aka Aoraki).5.2km one way, it is a tough ascent. The first part of the track ascends to Sealy tarns. This involves climbing zig zag stairs where you will be rewarded with a spectacular view over ...
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  • Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

    Climb to Mueller Hut

    5.0
    6.4 mi / 3000 ft gain
    This trek begins in the gateway town of Mount Cook Village, which is a must-visit destination in its own right, and serves as the jumping off point for most Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park ventures. Drive to the White Horse Hill Campground (follow the signs for the Hooker Valley) and park in the ...
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  • Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

    Climb Mt. Ollivier

    5.0
    7 mi / 3436 ft gain
    Start on the track from the White Horse Hill campground. Follow the track up almost 2,000 steps until you reach Sealy Tarns. From here the track continues steeply up the mountain until you reach the ridge. Continue over the ridge until reaching the hut. From here continue up the ridge to the summ...
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  • Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

    Overnight at the Barker Hut

    5.0
    29.8 mi / 3018.4 ft gain
    Begin at Klondyke Corner if the Waimakariri is low or at the O'Malley's Track if the river is too high to ford safely. After walking through the Waimakariri River to the Carrington Hut and on up the White River Valley you’ll reach this tiny red hut that stands out in its precarious position as a ...
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  • Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

    Backpack to Carrington Hut

    11 mi / 350 ft gain
    With peaks rising thousands of meters on every side of you and a wide-open valley to tramp in, the hike to Carrington Hut does feel quite like you're walking in a movie set. After walking a day up the Waimakariri Valley you'll reach this 36-bunk DOC hut, which requires a DOC hut pass to stay the ...
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  • Bealey, New Zealand

    Hike Arthur's Pass' Bealey Spur

    4.5
    7.5 mi / 1720 ft gain
    This moderately difficult climb affords amazing views of the Waimakariri River Valley as well as Bruce Stream. It is not an incredibly difficult hike, although in winter and early spring there will be snow and ice on the ground, making it more challenging. There are few vertical cliff faces, and ...
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