Hiking

Cost and Inclusions

The walk takes you through rolling tussock grasslands, beech forest and across a sub alpine pass with majestic views of the glaciated Arrowsmith Mountains.

 
 
 
 
 
Highland home.
Highest point of the hike, 1574m.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Click images to enlarge.

Includes
3 nights accommodation – 2 in station huts and the third in charming and comfortable Lake Heron cottage.

All meals and snacks on the walk, a celebration dinner on the third night, breakfast on the final morning of departure.

An experienced guide – ratio of no more than 1 guide to 6 hikers.

Use of backpack, walking pole and gaiters.

All sleeping bags, liners, and pillows.

Grade
Guests need not have prior hiking experience. However, you will need to have a good level of fitness and be able to walk on uneven and at times rocky terrain, as the hike follows a route rather than a formed track. Guests will need to carry a light pack. The second day of the hike takes between 6-8 hours and includes a steady height gain of 600m.

Start
Lake Heron Station – 2 hours drive inland from Christchurch.

Finish
Lake Heron Station

Departs
November to April on the following dates;
9 November 2010
23 November 2010
7 December 2010
11 January 2011
25 January 2011
8 February 2011
22 February 2011
8 March 2011
22 March 2011
5 April 2011

Additional hike departures can be arranged on request.

Groups
We specialise in small personal trips. The hike is ideally suited to groups of up to 6 people.

Guides
All trips are lead by a guides qualified through the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association, New Zealand’s professional body of mountain guides. Your safety and enjoyment are their priorities. Our low guide to guest ratio ensures that all members of the party enjoy a very personalised trip.

Catering
All meals, snacks and beverages are provided. You will enjoy delicious meals made with local produce and accompanied by Cable Bay wines. The huts are well-stocked with non-perishable food so hikers need only carry a small share of perishable food for the first night.

Huts
The huts are rustic, comfortable and authentic 8 bunk mustering huts. They provide a wonderful link to early station history, with inscriptions dating back to early last century. They are equipped with all cooking and eating facilities, sleeping bags and pillows. Heating is provided by a wood stove. The huts do not have running water, but water can be warmed for personal washing. The Cameron River provides a refreshing dip at the Highland Home and Rocky Gorge Hut is equipped with a solar shower. The bathrooms are newly-installed, traditional long-drop toilets.

Weather
The hiking route will always be subject to weather. The route climbs to a high point of 1574m and at times may be adversely affected by bad weather eg snowfall, heavy rain or very high winds. In the event that
we are unable to undertake the planned route, we will make every effort to plan an alternative trip to suit your group.

Cost
NZ $1635 per person (includes Goods and Services Tax of 15%)