Cass Saddle Hut
Basic/bivvies hutCraigieburn Forest Park, CanterburyOpen
- Sleeps
- 3 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Not drinkable
- 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 BW20
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. 43.09709° S, 171.69154° E
About this place
This is a basic three-bunk hut in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area.
On the way here
Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track · 2 - 3 days
Cass car park to Cass Saddle Hut
Time: 4 hours one way
From the signposted car park at the east end of the Cass River road bridge, follow the vehicle track next to the row of pine trees until it meets Cass River. Follow the riverbed upstream, keeping to the true right bank as much as possible. You will need to cross the river several times. The track climbs into the forest at a marked point just below the junction with Long Valley Stream; it is easy to miss if you are on the wrong side of Cass River so stay on the true right. The river is crossed again via a bridge, then the track climbs for another 20–30 minutes before crossing the river again. Cass Saddle Hut is reached soon after you have crossed to the true right bank. It has three bunks and a wood burning stove. Water can be obtained from a small stream just to the south-east of the hut.
Cass Saddle Hut to Hamilton Hut
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes one way
The tussock basin above Cass Saddle Hut is reached shortly after leaving the hut, and the poled route climbs gradually to the saddle. Hamilton Hut can be seen in the distance down the valley. Traverse left for 200 metres to the start of the cut track. This is an area of high avalanche risk. Avalanches frequently cross the entire Cass Saddle area in winter. During heavy snow conditions, we advise visitors not to travel this route. The track drops steeply from the saddle, and then more gently through the bush terraces, joining Hamilton Creek 15 minutes from Hamilton Hut. The 20 bunk hut has a wood burning stove and a radio linked to Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre. Calls can be made during office hours to obtain weather forecasts.
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.
2 options · 1 to 2 nights
Cass car park
Walking in
4 hr
Walking out
4 hr to Cass car park
Walking in
4 hr
Walking out
11 hr to Bealey Hut and SH73 (via Hamilton Hut, West Harper Hut, Lagoon Saddle Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Fees and bookings
Free
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Hamilton Hut
Serviced • 20 bunks • Canterbury • 6.2 km
Hamilton Hut is a serviced 20-bunk hut located in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area of Canterbury.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
West Harper Hut
Basic/bivvies • 5 bunks • Canterbury • 6.9 km
West Harper Hut is a basic five-bunk hut located in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area.
Heating • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Bealey Hut
Basic/bivvies • 6 bunks • Canterbury • 7.7 km
Bealey Hut is a basic six-bunk hut located in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area of Canterbury.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Cass
Canterbury • 8.6 km
Cass is a campsite located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The available records provide no further details regarding specific facilities or amenities…
Lagoon Saddle A Frame
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Canterbury • 8.7 km
Lagoon Saddle A Frame is a basic bivvy shelter in Canterbury that has no mattresses.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Walks nearby
Craigieburn Edge Track
Intermediate • 1 hr 15 min • 4.5 km • 3.75 km away
Camp Saddle Track
Advanced • 1 - 2 hr • 4.01 km away
The Luge Track
Intermediate • 1 hr 45 min • 3.3 km • 5.3 km away
Helicopter Hill Track
Intermediate • 15 - 30 min one way • 500 m • 5.55 km away
Mistletoe Track
Intermediate • 1 hr 30 min • 5.96 km away
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
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Sources
- 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).
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.