Hiking Project Logo

Mostly downhill all the way with a dramatic change in scenery from bush to scrub to open tussock.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

4.3

Miles

6.9

KM

Point to Point

2,922' 891 m

High

2,032' 619 m

Low

191' 58 m

Up

1,067' 325 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Open to mountain biking May 1st to September 30th each year.

Description

This 7km section of the Heaphy Track starts with a rough downhill section through scrub and native bush before emerging onto the spectacular Gouland Downs with expansive tussock plains, distant mountain ranges, and granite rock outcrops.

Along the way, you pass the famous tramping boot post, which has had a collection of tramping boots and other tramping equipment that have been attached to it over the years and provides a fun photo opportunity.

The historic Gouland Downs Hut is about halfway to Saxon Hut. Although an older style hut, it has been tastefully renovated and has more character than the newer huts. Near the Gouland Downs Hut, a grove of beech trees adorns a limestone outcrop that contains several caves, arches, and caverns that are well worth exploring. Kiwi are often heard at night around Gouland Downs Hut.

There is a long-drop toilet, fresh water and a great old-school fireplace here, but no lighting, or gas-cooking facilities.

Contacts

Shared By:

Alan Eskrick

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#5043

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#53

in New Zealand

#5,043

Overall
2 Views Last Month
90 Since Aug 15, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

A new day dawns over the landscape on the porch of the Perry Saddle Hut on the Heaphy Track.
May 12, 2017 near Takaka, NZ
It's dinner time at the well-appointed Perry Saddle Hut on the Heaphy Track. It's May and the days are getting very short.
May 12, 2017 near Takaka, NZ

0 Comments

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.