West Harper Hut
Basic/bivvies hutCraigieburn Forest Park, CanterburyOpen
- Sleeps
- 5 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Cost
- Free
- 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 BV20
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. 43.09975° S, 171.60698° E
About this place
This is a basic five-bunk hut in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area.
On the way here
Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track · 2 - 3 days
Hamilton Hut to West Harper Hut
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes one way
From Hamilton Hut to Bealey Hut, you are in simple avalanche terrain. Even though the track is in the forest, avalanches can reach the track from the mountains above. The greatest risk in this section is from Harper River to Lagoon Saddle Hut, as avalanches can travel from the Mt Bruce ridges to the track. Read more about avalanche risk in the Know Before You Go section or on this webpage . The route crosses Hamilton Creek at the footbridge 10 minutes downstream from Hamilton Hut and leads to a swing bridge across Harper River, a short distance above its confluence with Hamilton Creek. After crossing the swing bridge, the route continues upstream on the true right of the river to West Harper Hut. In fine weather and suitable conditions, the riverbed offers an easy alternative with several fine swimming holes along the way. West Harper Hut (a hut built in the 1950s) has five canvas bunks, a fireplace and a dirt floor.
Side trip: Mirror Tarn
Time: 20 minutes return
A side trip can be made to Mirror Tarn while en route to West Harper Hut. About 20 m beyond the Hamilton Creek bridge is the sign to Mirror Tarn. Follow the marked track steeply uphill for about 10 minutes to reach the tarn.
West Harper Hut to Lagoon Saddle Hut
Time: 2–3 hours one way
From West Harper Hut the track bypasses a small gorge to reach river flats which are then followed to the confluence of Long Creek and Harper River. Follow the markers up the Harper riverbed for approximately 500 metres and then a formed track on the true left climbs steadily to Lagoon Saddle Shelter. Lagoon Saddle Hut is located just across the river and has two bunks and mattresses.
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 · 2 nights
Cass car park
Walking in
9 hr (via Cass Saddle Hut, Hamilton Hut)
Walking out
6 hr to Bealey Hut and SH73 (via Lagoon Saddle Hut)
Walking in
9 hr (via Cass Saddle Hut, Hamilton Hut)
Walking out
9 hr to Cass car park (via Cass Saddle Hut, Hamilton Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Nearby stops
Hamilton Hut
Serviced • 20 bunks • Canterbury • 3.8 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
Lagoon Saddle A Frame
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Canterbury • 5 km
Lagoon Saddle A Frame is a basic bivvy shelter in Canterbury that has no mattresses.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Cass Saddle Hut
Basic/bivvies • 3 bunks • Canterbury • 6.9 km
Cass Saddle Hut is a basic three-bunk hut located in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Bealey Hut
Basic/bivvies • 6 bunks • Canterbury • 7.4 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 • 14 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…
Walks nearby
Bealey Spur Track
Easy • 2 hr 30 min one way • 6 km • 7.91 km away
Camp Saddle Track
Advanced • 1 - 2 hr • 8.41 km away
Craigieburn Edge Track
Intermediate • 1 hr 15 min • 4.5 km • 9.42 km away
Cuckoo Creek Track
Intermediate • 1 hr • 2 km • 9.66 km away
Cockayne Alley Track
Intermediate • 2 hr • 4 km • 9.77 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
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
Something missing or out of date?
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Sources
- 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.
- 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).