Tarn Hut tracks
WalkCanterbury
- Grade
- Advanced
- Walking time
- 2 days
- Dogs
- No dogs
Access: read before you go
From Oxford, follow Ashley Gorge Road for 6 km. Turn into Lees Valley Road and follow this for 29 km to a sign and locked gate that indicates the track. It is foot access only from this point. Follow this marked track for 3.5 km to a locked gate, keep to the marked track as this is private farmland.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
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.nzFrom Oxford, follow Ashley Gorge Road for 6 km. Turn into Lees Valley Road and follow this for 29 km to a sign and locked gate that indicates the track. It is foot access only from this point. Follow this marked track for 3.5 km to a locked gate, keep to the marked track as this is private farmland.
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. 43.06245° S, 172.16920° E
About this place
These tracks can be combined to form a circuit walk to Tarn Hut.
The route
Lees Valley Road to Youngman Stream Hut
Time: 4–5 hr
Follow the Youngman Stream Track to Youngman Stream Hut.
Youngman Stream Hut to Tarn Hut
Time: 2 hr 30 min
From Youngman Stream Hut, cross the Ashley River and follow the track as it climbs a ridge to the summit of Lilburne Hill. There are spectacular 360-degree views from Lilburne Hill over the foothill forests to Christchurch and the Port Hills beyond. Tarn Hut is a further 20 minutes along the spur south-west of Lilburne Hill. It is sited next to a small picturesque tarn in open alpine grassland.
Lees Valley Road to Tarn Hut via Lilburne Route
Time: 4 hr 30 min
Lilburne Route provides an alternate access to Lilburne Hill summit and Tarn Hut. The route turn-off is signposted from Youngman Stream Hut Track approximately 2 hours 30 minutes from the start of the track at the locked gate. The unforgiving route climbs very steeply up a ridge to the summit of Lilburne Hill for 1 hour 30 minutes. Tarn Hut is a further 20 minutes on from the summit.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Caution around cattle
Access to the Youngman Stream Track from Lees Valley Road is through a working cattle station. By accessing this track you are acknowledging that you are entering a working station at your own risk. There will be general hazards related to farming and dangerous cattle may be present. Do not disturb stock and proceed with caution. Email themuster@grasslands-llc.com for further information.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Joins these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On this track
In walking order.
Nearby stops
Lilburne Hut
Canterbury • 2.4 km
Cains Camp
Canterbury • 10.8 km
Cains Camp is a hut located in the Canterbury region. The provided records contain no further details about its facilities or specific location.
Bob's Camp Bivvy
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Canterbury • 13.3 km
Bob's Camp Bivvy is a basic two-bunk hut located in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Cattle Creek Hut
Canterbury • 14 km
Cattle Creek Hut is a backcountry hut located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The provided data does not include specific details regarding its…
Anna Hut
Canterbury • 14.9 km
Walks nearby
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).