Arthur's Pass National Park - Hawdon Hut
Time: 2 days Return
Difficulty: Marked track, some unmarked route sections, river crossings
Huts: Hawdon Hut (20 bunks)
Features: Braided river bed, beech forest, day trip to Walker Pass
Route Guides: Edwards River - Hawdon River (1.7MB)
Location: This route starts from the Hawdon Shelter campsite, 24km from Arthur's Pass village.
Difficulty: Marked track, some unmarked route sections, river crossings
Huts: Hawdon Hut (20 bunks)
Features: Braided river bed, beech forest, day trip to Walker Pass
Route Guides: Edwards River - Hawdon River (1.7MB)
Location: This route starts from the Hawdon Shelter campsite, 24km from Arthur's Pass village.
SH 73 to Hawdon Hut (3 hours one way)
Note: Do not attempt this route if the river is high, or there is bad weather in the forecast. The terms "true-left & right" are used in this description, they refer to side of valley always looking downstream or down hill.
From Hawdon Shelter walk straight out into the riverbed of the Hawdon River (don't follow the old track from the campsite). The easiest crossings of the lower Hawdon River are to be found here, further upstream you will find swift rapids and narrow channels. Look for, and cross the Hawdon River to the true-right. Follow the river upstream towards the stock fence that crosses the river. Climb up onto the embankment to use the stile across the electric fence.
The bouldery Sudden Valley Stream should then be crossed. A marked route now ascends towards the forest edge and follows the river upstream; this avoid several deep springs closer to the river.
About 3km upstream the route returns to the riverbed, eventually leading to a gravel crossing to the true-left. The marked route recommences on the other side and continues upstream to a crossing of the East Hawdon River. About 1km upstream the main Hawdon River must be crossed again to it's true-right.
Continue following the river upstream, mostly on marked route. After 2.3km Discovery Stream should be crossed. Hawdon hut is 200m further, on the forested bank of the river.
The radio at Hawdon Hut is monitored by Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre during office hours, 7 days a week. Please read the instructions carefully. There is a log burner in the hut for heating, but you will need your own cooker and utensils.
Hawdon Hut to Walker Pass (2-3 hours one way)
In fine weather a worthwhile side-trip from Hawdon Hut goes to Walker Pass (1095m).
From the hut follow the marked track upstream, it shortly moves inland, crossing Twin Fall Stream, then climbing steeply to tree-line at 960m ASL.
The poled route then returns to the stream, crossing it many times as you ascend towards the pass. After 1.5km the route moves away from the stream, and the Walker Pass tarn is met. The actual Walker Pass is a further 200m, on the upper edge of a steep embankment above the Otehake River's east branch.
Return the same way.
Note: Do not attempt this route if the river is high, or there is bad weather in the forecast. The terms "true-left & right" are used in this description, they refer to side of valley always looking downstream or down hill.
From Hawdon Shelter walk straight out into the riverbed of the Hawdon River (don't follow the old track from the campsite). The easiest crossings of the lower Hawdon River are to be found here, further upstream you will find swift rapids and narrow channels. Look for, and cross the Hawdon River to the true-right. Follow the river upstream towards the stock fence that crosses the river. Climb up onto the embankment to use the stile across the electric fence.
The bouldery Sudden Valley Stream should then be crossed. A marked route now ascends towards the forest edge and follows the river upstream; this avoid several deep springs closer to the river.
About 3km upstream the route returns to the riverbed, eventually leading to a gravel crossing to the true-left. The marked route recommences on the other side and continues upstream to a crossing of the East Hawdon River. About 1km upstream the main Hawdon River must be crossed again to it's true-right.
Continue following the river upstream, mostly on marked route. After 2.3km Discovery Stream should be crossed. Hawdon hut is 200m further, on the forested bank of the river.
The radio at Hawdon Hut is monitored by Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre during office hours, 7 days a week. Please read the instructions carefully. There is a log burner in the hut for heating, but you will need your own cooker and utensils.
Hawdon Hut to Walker Pass (2-3 hours one way)
In fine weather a worthwhile side-trip from Hawdon Hut goes to Walker Pass (1095m).
From the hut follow the marked track upstream, it shortly moves inland, crossing Twin Fall Stream, then climbing steeply to tree-line at 960m ASL.
The poled route then returns to the stream, crossing it many times as you ascend towards the pass. After 1.5km the route moves away from the stream, and the Walker Pass tarn is met. The actual Walker Pass is a further 200m, on the upper edge of a steep embankment above the Otehake River's east branch.
Return the same way.