Nina River

Lewis Pass National Reserve

  • 5 hr – 6 hr return by the same track
  • Easy

Easy tramping up a pretty river valley near Lewis Pass.

Nina Gorge in snow • By Andrew.Watson. Licence: C.
Nina River: Key information
Walking time
2 days
5 hr – 6 hr
Distance
19.0km
Type
Return by the same track
Return by the same track
Grade
Easy
Bookings
No bookings — open access
No — open access
Nina River: Find it
Starts
Opposite Palmer Lodge (marked with "NZDA") 4km north of Boyle Village on SH7
()
Maps
NZTopo50-BT23
NZTopo50-BU23
Altitude
610m – 761m
Altitude change 151m

Nina Hut was originally sited on the true left by Duchess Stream, with a track running the length of the valley on the true left. A new hut was built in 2002, and it is situated on a terrace above the river on the true right bank. A swingbridge was added, and the track was rerouted. Offering a short walk to a comfortable hut, this valley is popular with novice trampers. 

Lewis River • By matthew.

The track sets off opposite Palmer Lodge, over a swing bridge and up onto a terrace, before turning into the Nina Valley and heading upriver. Easy travel through open beech forest, passing the turn off to the Sylvia Tops. Eventually, the track drops to the river side at a pretty pool, and continues over grassy flats to a junction. The old track goes straight ahead and leads to Lucretia Biv. Take the new track, which turns left and crosses a swing bridge.  

Over on the true right, the track continues up valley through forest and over grassy flat before climbing a gentle spur to the hut. From here, you can continue on to Devilskin Saddle and the Doubtful River. Alternatively, you can drop down to the old hut site by the river, and head up to Brass Monkey Bivouac (4 hours) or take the old track leading up the true left bank to the isolated Upper Nina Biv (2.5 hours).

Nina Hut • Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 10.

The old track on the true left from Duchess Stream to Lucretia Stream is overgrown and no longer maintained, but still well marked. 

Walking times:

  • Palmer Lodge to Sylvia Tops turn off: 45 minutes
  • Sylvia Tops turn off to swing bridge: 45 minutes
  • Bridge to Hut: 1.5 hours
Map
ID 343

About this track

Added 5 May 2002 by matthewmatthew. 5 revisions, most recently 11 August 2013 by matthewmatthew.
81 views in the past year (7 per month).