Each week, we highlight our fave tramping trails in New Zealand for day and multi day hikes across Nelson Tasman (and beyond!)
Lake Christabel, West Coast
Head over to the West Coast near Springs Junction. We hiked in from Speargrass Flat which is about 1km before Maruia Springs (which you should definitely visit at the end of this hike!).
The track leads up to the bushline, from where snowpoles mark the way through open tussock tops over the Rough Creek Saddle. The poles meet the track down the upper right hand branch of the Blue Grey River above Lake Christabel. It's a 'gruelling' hike (to say the least) up to a 1500m ridge. Depending on the time of the year (in winter you will need crampons) to then descend down the other side to Christabel Hut. For an alternative route during winter, if you are not wanting to do any mountaineering, is to go via Palmer Road and then head along the Blue Grey River Track which is a lovely bush track. This would take you via the stunning Christabel Lake and then along to Christabel Hut :) You could take crampons and an ice axe and go back the other way to get the epic views that we were so lucky to see 🙌🏼
A beautiful destination with different challenges depending on which way you go!
- Speargrass Flat to Christabel Hut loop (6.5hrs to the hut, 6-7 hours out)
- Christabel Hut via Christabel Lake out and back (6-7hrs each way)
- Christabel Hut is an 8 bed dorm that does not require booking and has water access from the stream
- All Trails Route
- 4 hours from Nelson to Lewis Pass
- Access the track from Speargrass Flat, 10 km west of Lewis Pass on SH7.
- Alternatively, turn off SH7 onto Palmers Road 13 km west of Springs Junction and drive up 10km for the Blue Grey River Track and park on Palmers Road at the trail head
