Itinerary
Day 1 – Brown Hut to Perry Saddle Hut (approx. 17.5km 5 Hours)
You will be picked up at approximately 7am from your Nelson accommodation and travel to Brown Hut (which is the beginning of the track) to start your walk.
The track begins with a steady ascent through lush podocarp and beech forest, leading up to Flanagan’s Corner — the highest point on the trail at 915 metres. Along the way, expansive views of the Aorere Valley unfold, and on a clear day, you may even spot the distant peak of Mt Taranaki. From Flanagan’s Corner, it's an easy and scenic walk to Perry Saddle Hut, located at 880 metres above sea level.
Day 2 – Perry Saddle Hut to Saxon Hut (approx. 12.4km 4 hours)
This day offers a gentler pace, with about four hours of walking. The path winds through kamahi and beech forest before opening onto the wide, grassy expanse of the Gouland Downs. You'll pass Cave Brook and the quirky ‘boot pole’ — a spot where hikers have left their worn-out boots. Continuing through the magical 'enchanted forest', marked by limestone caves and waterfalls, you gently ascend across the Downs to reach Saxon Hut.
Day 3 – Saxon Hut to Mackay Hut (11.8 kms approx. 3-4 hours)
Today's journey takes you across the open Saxon Downs, crossing several bridged streams. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the rare blue duck, or whio. The trail gradually climbs into the Mackay Downs, where you'll start to see striking pink Karamea granite — a beautiful blend of quartz, mica, and feldspar. You'll pass dramatic granite boulders rising from the tussock before arriving at Mackay Hut, which boasts panoramic views all the way to the West Coast and the Heaphy River mouth.
Day 4 – Mackay Hut to Heaphy Hut (20.5 kms approx. 6 hours)
Departing Mackay Hut, you descend through a remarkable range of New Zealand's native vegetation — from subalpine shrubs and stunted beech to ancient podocarp forest. As you approach lower elevations, glimpses of the Heaphy River appear and the distinctive nikau palms begin to dominate the landscape. After a rest stop at Lewis Hut, located at the confluence of the Heaphy and Lewis rivers, you’ll enjoy lunch before continuing along the river. The final stretch features lush tropical-like scenery and concludes at the impressive river mouth, where the pounding surf and wild West Coast beach provide a dramatic finish to the day.
Day 5 – Heaphy Hut to Kohaihai (approx. 16.2km – 5 hours)
Your final day is a stunning coastal walk along a trail fringed with towering nikau palms. Depending on the tides, some beach walking may be possible. This section is often rated as one of New Zealand’s finest day walks. The journey ends at the Kohaihai River, where you’ll be picked up and transferred to your comfortable Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Karamea.
Day 6 - Karamea to Nelson
After enjoying a relaxing breakfast, you will be picked up from the accommodation and transported to Nelson arriving at approximately 3pm. Lunch stop provided but lunch is not included.
2025/2026 Departure Dates:
Departures run between October 2025 and May 2026, but most dates are now booked out - please email us for more information.
2026/2027 Departure Dates:
Departures run between October 2026 and May 2027. If you would like to be put on the waitlist for the 2026/27 season- please email us for more information.
