Cascade Saddle Route | New Zealand, 2010

Distance:  36.4 miles (60 km)

Avg. Time:  3 days

Start / Finish:

• Chinamans Flat – Rasberry Creek car park.

Season :

• December – March.

Maps / Info :

• See the DOC website for a basic map (all you need), basic trekking notes, and up-to-date information on the walk.
• The Lonely Planet guide Tramping in New Zealand also has a map and trekking notes.
• Before going over Cascade Saddle, check for the latest weather report at Dart Hut or Aspiring Hut (depending on which direction you are walking). Due to the high alpine nature of this section, it may be best to bide your time if the conditions have taken a serious turn for the worse.

Route / Conditions:

• The trail is well marked from start to finish.
• From Chinamans Flat to Dart Hut the walking is relatively flat and easy.
• From Dart to Aspiring Hut there is a great deal of ascent and descent involved. The section between “The Pylon” and Aspiring hut is particularly steep and very slippery in wet conditions.

Sleeping :

• Huts and the occasional rock bivy mean that you can probably leave your tent at home. That being said, there are some potentially fantastic camping opportunities up near Cascade Saddle itself.

Overview:

• A challenging track, that boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand. Highly recommended.