Neill Winchcombe loop

The Neill Winchcombe Circuit links the iconic Southern Crossing with the lesser-travelled Neill Winchcombe ridge. It's a serious sufferfest that rewards with goblin forest, exposed alpine tops, and a genuine sense of adventure. The route start and finishes at the Waiohine road end, firstly heading up to Cone, then west along Neill Ridge to Winchcombe and Mt Hector, south down the Southern Crossing to Alpha, and back via Bull Mound.

Cross the suspension bridge over the Waiohine River gorge and follow the well-marked track up the ridge toward Cone Hut. At the Cone Saddle junction, head up to the Cone summit. Just before the top you'll hit a track junction — take the left fork, which drops you toward Neill Saddle and onto the beginning of Neill Ridge proper.

From here the ridge is relentlessly undulating steep up and down steep, with plenty of scrambling in between. Just before the bushline you'll come to Winchcombe Biv. Top up water and start the climb to Winchcombe Peak.

There is no formed route from Winchcombe Biv to Mt Hector. At the Mt Hector summit, you join the Southern Crossing track. The memorial cross at the top was erected in 1950 as a tribute to trampers who lost their lives during World War II. Follow the track south over the Beehives, across Aston and down to Alpha Hut. The track then drops to Hells Gate before you take the signposted left junction at Omega onto the Bull Mound Track. Follow the ridge over Bull Mound then descend steeply into the Tawharenīkau Valley. The track emerges on the true right of the Tawharenīkau River, not far downstream from Cone Hut. Cross the river to the true left and follow the track upstream a short distance to Cone Hut.

From Cone Hut, take the right-hand track that climbs directly to the ridge (not the valley track to Cone Saddle). Follow the ridge south and descend back to the Waiohine suspension bridge and the road end.