Old Ghost Road Walk

We will collect you from your accommodation and drive to Lyell car park in the Upper Buller Gorge.

Beginning our walk with a steady climb along the 100+ year old dray road, we will enjoy views across the stunning Lyell Range and pass through beautiful mature beech forest.

We observe relics of old gold mining claims and ghost towns on our way up to Lyell Saddle Hut (875m above sea level).

The morning commences with a graded climb through forest up to the tussock tops of the Lyell Range and onto ‘Ghost Lake’ and the unique Ghost Lake Hut.

Amazing views and magical mountainous vistas surround us. We will observe an enormous diversity of sub-alpine herbs, grasses, bog plants and mosses in this fragile ecosystem.

Departing from Ghost Lake Hut we trek down through the ancient moss covered beech forest and traverse ridge tops marvelling at the Dr Seuss-like ‘Skyline Steps’.

Making our way down to our evening accommodation at Stern Valley Hut we enjoy dramatic descents.

This morning we explore the Earnest Valley (northern branch of Stern Creek).

After the twin lakes (Lake Grim and Lake Cheerful), we discover the iconic ‘Boneyard’, moving onto ‘Solemn Saddle’ and ‘The Hanging Judge’.

Scrub and grass covered valleys lead to the historic Goat Creek Hut and onto podocarp forest.

Our destination is Specimen Point hut which is located at the head of the Mokihinui River Gorge.

The Old Ghost Road picks up the old miners’ track following the left bank of the mighty Mokihinui River gorge.

A magnificent river still wild and untamed!

While enjoying the privilege of this wilderness our trek ends in lodge style accommodation with West Coast hospitality to celebrate!

We will deliver you back to Nelson approximately 3.30 pm.

Our route will take you down the Northern West Coast to Westport, then through the picturesque Buller Gorge.

We will be stopping at Murchison before arriving at Nelson airport or your preferred destination.