Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Ultra Tour du Nelson Lakes
Submitted by Malcolm Law
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 153
Gnarl Factor: 74
85.0km
3400m
3400m
1800m
Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Malcolm Law
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 153
Gnarl Factor: 74
85.0km
3400m
3400m
1800m
Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.
Back country - remote
Loop
Mountainous
Native bush
Riverside
Lakeside
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.6%
Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.
Not suitable
Slow
20:00
Moderate
14:00
Fast
If you need a detailed description of this route you should NOT be attempting it. This is a serious undertaking in what can be extreme mountain environments. Definitely for very experienced, well equipped runners and NEVER to be attempted in winter or in bad weather.
CHECK THE FORECAST FIRST - if you have anything but a clear weather window for the time you expect to be out there + a 12-hour buffer do NOT attempt this run.
Definitely recommend doing this anti-clockwise as you don't want to be tackling Robert Ridge late on the run in tired legs. A pre-dawn start means you get some easy terrain covered while it's still dark and are rewarded with daybreak on the Robert Ridge. This should also give you plenty of time to make it over Travers Saddle in daylight. Here's how it goes:
Start - Kerr Bay
Peninsula Track to West Bay
Follow road to Mt Robert Car Park
Climb up & along Robert Ridge (gets more technical the further along you go) to Angelus Hut
Followed Mt Cedric poled route & drop down the other side (very steep) to Sabine Hut
Sabine Track to West Sabine Hut
Travers Saddle Track to Travers Saddle (brutal climb out of bush to reach the tops)
Drop to Upper Travers Hut and follow trail all the way down Travers Valley
Cross river on swing bridge to get on Lakehead Track - follow this to Lakehead Hut and down the east side of Lake Rotoiti to return to Kerr Bay.
A classic extreme route with stunning views from the high points and lots of awesome bush trail.
The lake is signposted from St Arnaud village - not hard to find!
1 km
2 minutes
Unknown
No
Hard.
Take care on the poled route sections, particularly if the weather has closed in.
Very patchy.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions), Gaiters.
Until Angelus Hut there's no readily available drinking water. Top up here to get you to Sabine Hut. After that you'll have plenty available from the myriad streams and the other huts. Just be sure you have plenty on board before you get too high up towards Travers Saddle as there may be a dry stretch through to Upper Travers Hut at some times of the year.
This is very much a SUMMER ONLY route. Even in autumn and spring there can be deep snow on the high terrain. Snow is possible any time of the year. Check conditions with DoC before committing.
This is an extreme challenge in extreme mountain conditions. Only attempt it if you are a genuinely experienced mountain goat & the weather forecast is good. Best done in company rather than solo - carry a PLB either way. Make sure you leave intentions, either at the DoC office in St Arnaud or with a friend/family.
There is real avalanche danger May - November.
St Arnaud Lodge
Main Rd, St Arnaud village
http://www.alpinelodge.co.nz/
Great food, beer & coffee and warm hospitality. The open fire is particularly welcoming on cold days.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Ultra Tour du Nelson Lakes
As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.
Already have an account? Login now
I fast packed this route over four days including a trip out to blue lake. The views from between Angelus Hut and Mt Cedric are some of the best I’ve ever seen. They are absolutely breathtaking. I applaud anyone who does this in one day, it’s a mission! Lots of steep ascents and descents and a good bit of, somewhat monotonous, river rambling! The good bits outweigh any negative thoughts of mine in regards running alongside a river though! Phenomenal trail!
March 16, 2022
An excellent tough day out. Plenty of points of interest along the way and varied terrain underfoot. The Travers Saddle climb is pretty brutal. Agree this is best done clockwise to get the tops done during daylight hours.
December 20, 2020
I would put this as one of my favourite routes on the directory. The highlights are the technical running along Roberts Ridge & the views towards Waiau Pass from Mt Cedric. The Valley trails between the views from this high points are pleasant & runnable.Save this one for a long summer day, or split it up with an overnight in Upper Travers Hut.
July 12, 2020
There are a lot of amazing routes to chose from in this country but this without question makes it into my top 3 favorite all time runs. Magic tops, big mountains, native bush and friendly robins make this a complete trip in every way. Look out for the East Sabine chasm, just before the big push up to Travers Saddle, it's breathtaking. I agree that if you are planning a loop via Robert Ridge and Mt Cedric going anticlockwise goes without saying, this means you have total control over when you are on the exposed tops. Make no mistake this is a big undertaking but one that will richly reward the prepared.
June 28, 2018
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
The Wild Things Trail Directory is proudly supported by 
Send to your phone
Scan the below QR code to open this trail on your phone.
Tip: position the QR code in your phone camera screen.
