Cannibal Gorge Hut
Serviced hutLewis Pass Scenic Reserve, West CoastOpen
Current advisories
St James carpark closure
24 September 2026
St James Carpark will be closed from 5 pm Tuesday 29 September till 5 pm 30 September, 2026 while helicopters are used to remove septic waste from Ada Pass and Cannibal Gorge Hut. Follow directions from staff on site and stay clear of all aerial and septic removal operations. An alternative toilet is available for use at Deer Valley Campsite 5 mins drive south on SH7. First published on 25 September 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 20 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $25
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Non-flush
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nz- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BT23
- Grid reference
- E1553026, N5313788
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 42.32673° S, 172.42987° E
About this place
This is a serviced 20-bunk hut in the Greymouth area.
On the way here
St James Walkway · 5 days
Lewis Pass - Cannibal Gorge Hut - Ada Pass Hut
Time: 3 hr 30 min to Cannibal Gorge Hut, 5 hr to Ada Pass Hut
km to Cannibal Gorge Hut, 10 km to Ada Pass Hut The track leaves the picnic area on the Tarn Nature Walk across a natural open bog. It then enters the bush, descending in a steep zig-zag into Cannibal Gorge on 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 alpine fields (prone to avalanches) to Ada Pass Hut (3 km - 30 minutes).
Waiau Pass Route (Blue Lake Route to Lewis Pass) · 8-10 days for full trip
Ada Pass Hut to Cannibal Gorge Hut
Time: 1 hour 30 min
km The track follows an easy grade down the Maruia River valley, through beech forest and open alpine fields. Be aware that these open spaces are prone to avalanches.
Cannibal Gorge Hut to Boyle Village (Lewis Pass)
Time: 3 hr 30 min
km From Cannibal Gorge Hut, the track follows the true right of the Maruia River through bush. After around 6 km, a swing bridge crosses Cannibal Gorge to the true left back of the Maruia River. The track then climbs in a steep zigzag, ascending 150 m of height. The track leaves the bush and meets the Alpine Nature Walk. This short track leads through an alpine wetland with spectacular views of Gloriana Peak and the Spenser Mountains. It ends at the state highway and Lewis Pass.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Firewood
Firewood is supplied at this hut, but it can run out. If there is no firewood, gather dead wood from surrounding forests. Do not fell or break branches off live trees. Only use as much wood as is needed to keep the hut warm, to ensure there is enough for the next visitors. Coal is no longer provided. Carry warm clothing and a good sleeping bag at all times of year.
Wasps
Wasps can be common from December to April, carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Trip options
Walking times come from DOC track descriptions, added up leg by leg from car-accessible trailheads. Nights and return times are ParkUp estimates, allowing about 8 hours of walking a day.
5 options · 1 to 6 nights
the Lewis Pass picnic area
Walking in
3 hr 30 min
Walking out
3 hr 30 min to the Lewis Pass picnic area
Tracks used: St James Walkway → Waiau Pass Route (Blue Lake Route to Lewis Pass)
Walking in
3 hr 30 min
Walking out
24 hr 30 min to Blue Lake Hut (via Waiau Hut, Christopher Hut, Ada Pass Hut)
Walking in
3 hr 30 min
Walking out
26 hr 30 min to the Boyle shelter (via Ada Pass Hut, Christopher Hut, Anne Hut, Boyle Flat Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Fees and bookings
1 May - 30 September
1 October - 30 April
Weekdays
Weekends
1 December - 29 February
Weekdays
Weekends
Backcountry Hut Passes can be used at this hut. About hut tickets and passes Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes Te Araroa – The Trail Pass Te Araroa Trail Pass Before you go, buy Hut Tickets for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass or Campsite Pass. About hut tickets and passes About campsite passes Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027. If no availability shows online for your dates, the hut is fully booked. No spaces are kept for visitors arriving without a booking. Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee. Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain. Book Cannibal Gorge Hut online
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Ada Pass Hut
Serviced • 14 bunks • West Coast • 3.4 km
Ada Pass Hut is a serviced 14-bunk hut located in the Greymouth area on the West Coast.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Christopher Hut
Serviced • 14 bunks • Canterbury • 11.9 km
Christopher Hut is a serviced 14-bunk hut located in the St James Conservation Area in Canterbury.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Anne Hut
Serviced • 20 bunks • Canterbury • 8.6 km
Anne Hut is a serviced 20-bunk hut located in the St James Conservation Area in Canterbury.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Christopher (Ada) Cullers Hut
Basic/bivvies • 4 bunks • Canterbury • 11.6 km
Christopher (Ada) Cullers Hut is a basic four-bunk hut located in the St James Conservation Area in Canterbury.
Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream • Water supply
Rokeby Hut
Basic/bivvies • 3 bunks • Canterbury • 12.2 km
Rokeby Hut is a basic three-bunk shelter located in the St James Conservation Area in Canterbury.
Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream • Water supply
Walks nearby
Contact
Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre
104 West Coast Road, Arthur's Pass 7654
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
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Sources
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- DOC Huts (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.