Gillespie Pass Trek
The Gillespie Pass trek is a classic journey through the heart of the Mount Aspiring National Park. Traversing between the Young, Siberia, and Wilkin Valleys. The crossing of the pass traverses past the formidable ramparts of Mount Awful. From the Siberia Valley, there are side trips to iceberg lakes, waterfalls, and viewpoints. The trip finishes with a descent into the Wilkin Valley and an exciting jet boat ride out. We offer trips for small private groups or scheduled mixed groups.
Price: from $1790 pp
Duration: 4 days
Maximum group size: 4
Rating: Moderate
Itinerary
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Gillespie Pass Trek](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDI2OjE4NzI=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 1")
Day 1
15km, 500m ascent, 6-7 hours
Trips start at the Wanaka Mountain Guides’ Base. Accommodation is available in our Kea Lodge, you can meet here, or we can either pick you up from your accommodation in town. After gear checks, the group travels 45 minutes from Wānaka to the village of Makaroa. It is a short jet boat ride from Makarora to the confluence of the Young and Makarora rivers.
The routes follow the Young River to the confluence of the North Branch and upwards through the bush to Young Hut. Alternatively, it is possible to continue a few more kilometres to camp above the bush line in the upper valley.
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Gillespie Pass Trek](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDQ0OjI5MDg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 2")
Day 2
9km, 700m ascent, 1100m descent, 6-8 hours
On the next day climb into the head of the Young Valley and steeply up and and over Gillespie Pass. The descent into Gillespie Stream past the flanks of Mount Awful and options for campsites. It is then the final descent into Siberia Valley and the hut.
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Lake Crucible](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDU4OjI5MjM=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 3")
Day 3
14km, 700m ascent/descent, 5-6 hours for Lake Crucible
The third day is a weather contingency day for the pass crossing. If already at Siberia Hut, it is possible to do a side trip with light packs to Lake Crucible, which holds icebergs from winter snows until late in the season or explore further up the Siberia valley.
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Wilkin River](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDcyOjI5NTI=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 4")
Day 4
5km, 300m descent, 2-3 hours
On the last day the track descends into the Wilkin Valley and Kerin Forks for the final jet boat back to Makarora with Wilkin River Jets arriving back in Wānaka around 17:00.
Alternatively, it is possible to fly out from the Siberia Valley.
Gillespie Pass Trek Fitness and Difficulty Requirements
Despite the modest distances, the Gillespie Pass Trek requires good trekking fitness to travel on unmaintained routes, through a variety of underfoot conditions.
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Mount Awful](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NTA1OjE4Mjg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 5")
Trekking fitness of up to 15km a day with ascents and descents of up to 1000m. Packs of personal and group equipment will range between 10 – 15kg.
Requires some experience on DOC tracks and overnight hut or camping stays.
Equipment
Accommodation is in public DOC huts or wilderness camping. Tents, cooking and camping equipment are provided.
You will need good personal outdoor clothing for the mountains and comfortable trekking boots. The route has many river and stream crossings so boots may get wet and stay wet.
You will be expected to carry your personal gear, some group equipment, and some fresh food to supplement our food caches.
Pricing and Details
| Duration: 4-days (3-day option also available) |
| Maximum ratio: 1:4 |
| 2025/26 Group Dates: |
| Get in touch to arrange alternative dates or private trips from December to March. |
| 2025/26 Price: |
| Group 4-day trip: from $1790 per person (minimum numbers required). Private 4-day trip: $4890 / $2790 / $2150 per person for 1 / 2 / 3 people. Want a lighter pack? We can also provide porter support to reduce the load of your personal gear. Get in touch for information. |
| Includes: Applicable taxes, guide fees, all meals and snacks, hut or tent accommodation, transport from Wānaka, and jet boat access to and from the route. |
See Also
‘A very professional guide and great company. He took time to explain to us what walks were possible/practical each day depending on the weather and the impact it would have on the surrounding rivers. If you are city dwellers it is very comforting to know that your guide is thinking of the safety of the group. [He] certainly kept us well fed as well. We are looking forward to future trips in the beautiful mountains around Wānaka which is a refreshing change and takes us out of our comfort zone for a few days at least.’
— Michael, Siberia Hut Trip
‘Five stars! [Our guide] was excellent on all counts. We achieved the walk and felt we had a real adventure in a beautiful part of New Zealand. The walk was amazing: scenery, forests, company, challenge. We are looking forward to doing more.’
— Chris, Gillespie Pass Trek
‘It was 4 days I’ll never forget! The experiences I had I only want to grow on. I set out to accomplish a task, but I got so much more! You showed me a whole new world with your sport and I can’t thank you enough! Absolutely exceeded my expectations!!! Thanks Wānaka Mountain Guides!
— Landen, Mitre Peak Ascent
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Gillespie Pass](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=Nzg2OjE4NDc=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 12")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Gillespie Pass](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzkxOjE2MDc=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgNzY4IDEwMjQiIHdpZHRoPSI3NjgiIGhlaWdodD0iMTAyNCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 13")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Lake Crucible](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=Nzk1OjI3NjM=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 14")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Siberia Valley](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=Nzk5OjI3NjU=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 15")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Siberia Valley](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=ODA0OjE4NzU=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 16")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Gillespie Pass](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=ODA4OjI3Njg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Gillespie Pass Trek 17")