Lewis Pass to Ada Pass
Time: 3 hr 30 min from Lewis Pass to Cannibal Gorge Hut (7 km)
5 hr Lewis Pass to Ada Pass Hut (10 km)
The track begins from the Tarn Nature Walk, across a natural bog, then enters the bush, descending 150 metres in a steep zigzag to Cannibal Gorge and the Maruia River.
A swing bridge crosses Cannibal Gorge to the true right bank. From here it is about 6 km to the Cannibal Gorge Hut.
Past the hut, the track follows an easy grade alongside the Maruia River, through beech forest and open alpinefields (prone to avalanches) to the Ada Pass Hut.
Both huts sleep 20 people and are equipped with wood stoves and firewood. It is recommended that you also carry a gas cooker.
Ada Pass to Christopher Hut
Time: 4 hr 30 min (10.5 km)
This section of the track is on St James Station. From the hut, the track leads through bush over the Ada Pass and into the Ada Valley.
Beech forest opens to areas of tussock with patches of mountain beech.
Orange triangles at the clearing edge indicate the track through bush areas, following the true right of the Ada River.
At the junction of the Ada and Christopher Rivers, the track passes an historic Forest Service hut. The Christopher Hut is a 10 - 15 minute walk from this point, close to the
edge of the bush. The hut sleeps 14 and has a wood stove.
Christopher Hut to Caroline Bivvy
Time: 7 hr 30 min (20 km)
Cross the Ada River below the Christopher Hut and follow the 4WD track into the Waiau Valley.
This area is private property (St James Station). Please leave gates as you found them and keep away from the Ada Homestead.
Follow up the Waiau River on the true right bank over mainly broad, grassy flats. Two old, bush-covered terminal moraines are crossed further up the Waiau as the valley starts to narrow.
As this crosses private land, permissions must be obtained from the owner of St James Station.
Caroline Bivvy to Upper Waiau Forks
Time: Approximately 3 hr (5 km)
Continue up the true right of the Waiau River until it veers left near the forks. Take care as the track may be overgrown in places. Cross the river and follow up a natural open area
and past a good camping spot in the last stand of beech, before emerging into an area of mixed scrub.
Upper Waiau Forks to Waiau Pass
Time: Approximately 3 - 5 hr (depending on snow conditions) (2 km)
The track now crosses the east branch of the river, then climbs through scrub, where a few cairns and remnants of track lead well up the valley of the west branch to a tussock ridge. Climb this to reach the foot of low bluffs. Ascend up easy ledges and tracks, then cross
several tussock terraces, still climbing until spaced steel marker poles lead the way up a steep rocky ridge. At the top the route leads left on easy going to Waiau Pass.
Waiau Pass to Blue Lake Hut
Time: Approximately 3 hr (5 km)
Follow the poles down the pass, then turn right along a prominent terrace before descending scree slopes to Lake Constance.
Bluffs on the left (west) side of the lake block your route, so climb steeply for 150 metres before edging above these bluffs.
Stay at the same altitude until near the lower end of the lake where you can descend onto rubble slopes. From here you will soon pick up a track crossing the vegetated moraine wall. This descends to Blue Lake Hut a short distance below.
The track begins in the Lewis Pass area, from the Tarn Nature Walk.