Humpridge Track

[Dreamer]

Southern Fiordland tramping video report: ‘The Humpridge Track’. A gruelling 62km/3 day tramp through magnificent rainforest in New Zealand’s remote southern Fiordland. We were saved by comfy hut accommodation with beer/wine & hot showers. Hut accommodation is $87/person per night (+$10 for great 4 minute hot shower) and includes a breakfast of hot porridge & hot drinks. There are gas cooktop facilities with pots/pans and crockery for self catering of the evening meal. There is no option to camp (on the ridge at least). In addition to clothes and wet weather gear, we carried sleeping bags, food & a stove for hot drinks at lunch time...but you could go with just a day pack and buy your food at the huts ('Backcountry' freeze dired meal packs plus other snacks like chips & chocolate) and even rent a sleeping bag ($10/night). The bunk beds come with a bottom sheet (not fresh) and a freshly laundered pillow case/pillow. This community initiated and run track is a great alternative to NZ's 'Great Walks'...arguably better. Highly recommended.

Video link: https://vimeo.com/197312519

Either stand on your head and look at screen OR click on photo to show right way up (no idea why it posts that way!)

First night accommodation: Okaka Lodge

Te Waewae Bay

Looking north from the Humpridge

[roysta]

I think gruelling is a little off the mark.



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[wayno]

by NZ standards, hump ridge is relatively easy, if you dont have to hunt for the track, wade through calf deep mud, or bush bash, then you're on to a good thing..... foreigners complain about the te araroa trail.. and thats not hard either for NZ...

[Dreamer]

Agree that 'gruelling' was an exaggeration! The altitude gain on Day1 is significant. With family it was relatively slow going and seemed long. The plethora of boardwalks certainly makes for easy walking at times. All up, it was a really interesting and enjoyable walk through bueatiful rainforest. Expansive views along the top.

[roysta]

I plan to enjoy doing it in March.
It'll sure beat a snow slog across the Routeburn and Kepler in winter conditions


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[Snowzone]

Thanks for posting Dreamer, this walk has always been on my list as I believe the scenery is beautiful so now I am looking forward to doing it at the end of Feb.

[Dreamer]

You will enjoy it Snowzone. Keep on eye out for the giant rock 'Toad' on Day 2...

[roysta]

I did the Hump Ridge last week, what a cracker of a track.
That first day was a solid 6 hours for me with a 1000m ascent but the views from above Okaka Lodge are just the best.
The viaducts are great on the downward journey but I must say it gets a bit laborious over the 8kms of old tramway.
I still reckon it's worth a look if you're anywhere near Te Anau, just 1 hour 20 south and you're at Tuatapere, the access point.
Remember, it's privately owned, has two lodges and it costs.

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[Dreamer]

Agree that it is indeed a 'cracker'! The difficulty of the first day's ascent is hard to convey to those who haven't done it. The views are magnificent aren't they? Also agree that the tramway on the 2nd day gets a little tedious.