Cardrona - Cromwell Pack Track
- 7 hr – 8 hr one way
- Easy/medium
- Tuohys Gully car park to Meg Hut: 2 hours, 6.5km
- Meg Hut to Deep Creek Hut: 2.5-3 hours, 8km
- Deep Creek Hut to Lowburn car park: 2.5-3 hours, 10km
This route over the Criffel and Pisa Ranges leads from Cardrona to the Lowburn Valley. The route features golden tussock grasslands, old water races and historic musterers' huts. The route connects with the Roaring Meg Pack Track at Tuohys Saddle, near Meg Hut.
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Walking time
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1 – 3 days
7 hr – 8 hr
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Distance
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31.0km |
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Type
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One way
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Grade
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Easy/medium |
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Bookings
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No bookings — open access
No — open access
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Starts
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Tuohys Gully, Cardrona. From the Cardrona Valley Road, look for the Waiorau Snow Farm sign, and take Tuohys Gully Road. Turn right to get to Tuohys Gully. |
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Ends
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Swann Road, Lowburn, about 3.5km from SH6. |
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Maps
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NZTopo50-CB12
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Altitude
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300m
–
1,420m
Altitude change 1,120m
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From Tuohys Gully car park, the route is signposted as the Roaring Meg Track. It leads uphill to Tuohys Saddle (1140m). The Roaring Meg Pack Track heads off to the right, while the Cromwell Pack Track bends left to Meg Hut.
From Meg Hut, a poled route crosses tussockland and sections of water race, reaching a height of 1420m, to descend by 4WD track to the old musterers' hut, Deep Creek Hut.
From the hut, a 4WD track crosses private land along Packspur Gully to come out near Lowburn.
Walking times:
WARNING: the track from Deep Creek Hut to Lowburn road is closed to public access (January 2018)