OLD GHOST ROAD
A long-forgotten gold miners’ road has been revived as a mountain biking and tramping trail – connecting the old dray road in the Lyell (Upper Buller Gorge) to the mighty Mokihinui River in the north. The 85km-long Old Ghost Road traverses majestic native forest, open tussock tops, river flats and forgotten valleys.
The Old Ghost Road is a challenging, alpine tramp. Please contact us if you are unsure about your suitability for this trip.
The Old Ghost Road is a challenging, alpine tramp. Please contact us if you are unsure about your suitability for this trip.
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Overview
5 days walking 5 nights Total trip time
6 days / 5 nights (incl travel time) Kilometres 85 km
9Price NZ$1950
Grade Difficult
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ITINERARY
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Day 1: We pick you up from Nelson 7am, drive to Lyell and walk to Lyell Saddle Hut, 17.5km
Day 2: We walk to Ghost Lake Hut, 12km Day 3: We walk to Stern Valley Hut, 13km Day 4: We walk to Specimen Point Hut, 25km Day 5: We walk out to Seddonville, 17km, and stay at the Rough and Tumble Lodge (included) Day 6: After breakfast we depart for Nelson, arriving approximately 2.30pm |
FULL DETAILS
DAY 1
Start: Nelson
Finish: Lyell Saddle 
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We pick you up in Nelson at 7am and drive to Lyell car park (approx 3 hrs driving) in the Upper Buller Gorge. We pack up our gear and begin our walk with a steady climb along the 100+ year old dray road, stopping along the way for lunch. We'll get occasional views across the stunning Lyell Range and pass through beautiful mature beech forest.
The spirits of the old miners and track builders are inescapable. No less than seven ghost towns populate the Old Ghost Road route, and we will pass relics of old gold mining claims and ghost towns on our way up to Lyell Saddle Hut (875m above sea level). |
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DAY 2
Start: Lyell Saddle
Finish: Ghost Lake 
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The walk begins with a 6 km graded climb through cloud forest up to the tussock tops of the Lyell Range. Then it’s 6 km of relatively level open-tops travel to ‘Ghost Lake’ and the stunning Ghost Lake Hut. Unparalleled views of pure South Island majesty are yours with every stride.
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DAY 3
Start: Ghost Lake
Finish: Stern Valley 
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After breakfast, we will begin our descent down from Ghost Lake Hut down through the mystical and mossy Dragon's Creek beech forest. The track then zigzags across several ridge tops before descending down the Dr Seuss-like ‘Skyline Steps’ at the end of Skyline Ridge.
We'll have two steep descents totaling about 800m on our way down to our evening accommodation at Stern Valley Hut. |
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DAY 4
Start: Stern Valley
Finish: Specimen Pt 
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The track leads us up the Earnest Valley (north branch of Stern Creek) and through the strange but gorgeous open meadows of its catchment. At the twin lakes (Lake Grim and Lake Cheerful), we climb up again through the ‘Boneyard’, heading for ‘Solemn Saddle’ and then on down through ‘The Hanging Judge’ into the headwaters of the Goat Creek catchment. Scrub and grass covered valleys form the way until the final couple of kilometres through bush to the historic Goat Creek Hut. From Goat Creek Hut it’s 8 km of flat walking down through the beautiful podocarp forest to the Mokihinui Forks Hut and then on to Specimen Point Hut. The hut is situated at the head of the mighty Mokihinui River Gorge.
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DAY 5
Start: Specimen Pt
Finish: Rough & Tumble 
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The track begins to undulate as The Old Ghost Road picks up the old miners’ track hugging the true left bank of the mighty Mokihinui River gorge with stunning river views. We finish our walk with a night at the Rough and Tumble Lodge – a great way to celebrate the completion of a spectacular walk.
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DAY 6
Start: Rough & Tumble
Finish: Nelson 
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After a tasty breakfast, we deliver you back to Nelson approximately 2.30pm, in time for an afternoon flight/bus or we drop you at your accommodation.
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PACKING LIST
Carry less, enjoy more!
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To help you plan your trip, we offer the following list of what to pack
The weather can change quickly on this track so you must be prepared for adverse conditions. It is a good idea to make your pack as light as possible (aim for 8kgs) for your own comfort. • 1 Comfortable backpack (a 35 - 45 litre pack should be big enough) • 1 Plastic inner pack liner • 1 Good quality sleeping bag in a plastic bag • 1 Sleeping bag liner (optional) • 1 or 2 walking poles (optional) • 1 Good quality weatherproof jacket • 1 Good quality pair of weatherproof pants (optional) • 1 Pair of comfortable shoes/boots • 1 Pair of gaiters (optional) • 1 Rain poncho (optional) • 1 Pair of lightweight sandals/jandals/crocs for evenings • 1 Pair light trousers for evenings • 1 Pair walking shorts (non denim) • 1 Woolen jersey or polar fleece • 1 Polypropylene/merino leggings/long johns • 2 Polypropylene/merino long sleeved walking shirts (non-cotton) • 2 Pairs walking socks • Spare woolen socks • Spare underwear • 1 Spare shirt for evening • 1 Pair gloves • 1 Warm hat • 1 Sunhat (in summer ) • 1 Simplified toilet bag (eg toothbrush + toothpaste) • 1 Small micro-fibre towel • 1 Sun block • 1 Head torch (with full batteries) • 1 Insect repellant • 1 One litre drink bottle • 1 Camera (optional) • Ear Plugs • Travel pillow (optional) • Personal nibbles (optional) • Personal medicines (if required) | ||
