Adelaide Cirque Trek

Overview

The Adelaide Cirque Trek is a challenging off-the-beaten track journey through the rugged Darran mountains of Fiordland National Park. Starting in the lower Hollyford valley and taking in Moraine Creek, Lake Adelaide, the infamous Gifford’s Crack, Adelaide Saddle, and Barrier Knob to Gertrude Saddle.

Itinerary

Day 1

After meeting in Wanaka or Queenstown, we travel to the Hollyford Valley, deep in Fiordland National Park. The starts in the lower valley and crosses the Hollyford River via a three-wire bridge and climbs steeply up through the beech forest alongside Moraine Creek. The first night is spent in a bivi rock below the bushline or on grassy open flats and campsites a short distance further on.

Day 2

The valley climbs up and over ancient moraine around Lake Adelaide with views of the jagged peaks of the Adelaide Cirque, arriving at one of the Southern Alps most accommodating and weather proof bivi rocks.

Day 3

From here the route climbs the infamous Giffords Crack where a rope is often used for security to Adelaide Saddle and views down to Milford Sound and Mitre Peak. A scramble up the ridge to the summit of Barrier Knob and down snow slopes where crampons may be required to join the more frequented Gertrude Saddle.

Day 4

After a final bivi, decend the more frequented Gertrude Valley route to Homer Hut in the Upper Hollyford Valley and the Milford Road. Return to Wanaka.

Prerequisites

Fitness

Trekkers need to be able to undertake big ascents and descents of up to 1000m in a day with 15kg packs.

Backcountry Experience

Requires recent experience off-track trekking. This includes movement over scree, boulders, and tussock slopes and wild camping.

Dates & Pricing

Availability

Get in touch to arrange private treks from November to March.

Pricing

POA

Testimonials

‘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 Wanaka which is a refreshing change and takes us out of our comfort zone for a few days at least.’

— Michael, Siberia Hut Trip

‘Thank you again. That was an awesome day out and I really appreciated how generous [our guide] was with his time and knowledge. He crammed in more than I thought possible in a day.’

— Megan, Remarkables Alpine Rock Climbing Course

‘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! Thanks so much for doing a great job at coaching someone who had no idea what they were doing lol. I work with some great leaders so I know one when I see one! I am a beginner climber and he gave excellent instruction on how to be safe while taking me out of my comfort zone. I’ve found a new love for this sport and it’s thanks to him! Absolutely exceeded my expectations!!! Thanks Wanaka Mountain Guides!

— Landen, Mitre Peak Ascent