Rabbit Pass Trek

Day 1

Up to 6 hours, 10km

The trip begins with a helicopter flight from Makaroa into the Upper Wilkin Valley with Backcountry Helicopters. The afternoon can be spent exploring the nearby Lake Lucidus, or Castila, depending on how far you’d like to go, spending the night at Top Forks Hut.

Day 2

9 – 11 hours, 12km, 800m ascent

The next day, the route to the pass climbs through Snow Bridge Gorge to the open Waterfall Flat.

Concentration is required on the steep climb up the Waterfall Face and ropes will be used for security. From the top of the face, the route heads south under Pearsons Saddle, crossing the benign Rabbit Pass itself. A final steep climb leads to a second difficult section descending into the East Matukituki valley, and continuing down to campsites on the valley floor.

Day 3

7 – 8 hours, 12km, 300m ascent

The next morning the route continues down the valley requiring a number of river crossings. Trekkers will have wet feet from here on. After Ruth Flat, with its views of the impressive East Face of Fastness Peak, the track climbs steeply to bypass Bledisloe Gorge. Campsites exist above the bush line with stunning views up the Kitchener River to the East Face of Popes Nose and Mount Aspiring or you can forge on down the hill to Junction Flat.

Day 4

5 hours, 11km, 700m descent

From Junction Flat and a visit to Hester Pinney Falls, the track continues down the river exiting the bush at the confluence of the Glacier Burn. There is a final short trek across farmland to reach the Matukituki River and the Aspiring Road.