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Key facts
- Distance
- 4.5 km one way
- Walking time
- 2 hours one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Cobb Valley / Kahurangi National Park
- Seasonal restrictions
- 4WD is recommended on the access road into the Cobb valley (Cobb Dam Road) in winter, due to ice and/or snow.
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Hike to a historic cottage that was home to a reclusive couple for nearly 40 years.
This DOC directory entry covers Asbestos Cottage Track in Tasman, within Cobb Valley / Kahurangi National Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 4.5 km one way
- Walking time: 2 hours one way
- DOC grade: Advanced
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
- Predator control in Cobb area of Kahurangi National Park; First published on 15 May 2026. Last reviewed on 1 July 2026.
Seasonal restrictions
4WD is recommended on the access road into the Cobb valley (Cobb Dam Road) in winter, due to ice and/or snow.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The track starts near the summit of Cobb Dam Road. There is a car park, information shelter and toilet nearby.
Follow signs for Cobb Ridge Route, towards Asbestos Cottage. The track leads along Cobb Ridge for an hour and has excellent views of Cobb Reservoir.
The track then turns off the ridge and descends for 40 minutes through open tussock and beech forest to a junction. From here, trampers can continue for 20 minutes to Asbestos Cottage or take the other track towards Lower Junction.
The track ends at Asbestos Cottage.
Asbestos Cottage Track is new and has not been added to topographic maps yet.
View a map of the track (PDF, 272K)
About the cottage
Asbestos Cottage was home to Annie and Henry Chaffey from 1914 to 1951. Henry Chaffey mined asbestos nearby and the couple was married at the cottage in 1932.
Asbestos safety and access
There is no track beyond the cottage or to the historic asbestos mine.
Asbestos Track from Cobb Dam Road to Asbestos Cottage is being removed from the DOC track network. There is a potential health risk due to extremely high levels of asbestos at the nearby mine and along the adjacent track.
Asbestos Cottage has been decontaminated and areas of asbestos contamination around the hut have been remediated. Do not disturb the soil.
Getting there
The track starts on Cobb Dam Road, near the information shelter and the highest point of the road.
From the powerhouse, Cobb Dam Road is unsealed, narrow and has steep drop-offs. Drive with care.
In winter, ice or snow can make the road hazardous. A 4WD is recommended.
Know before you go
This is an advanced tramping track and has some steep and rough sections. It is best suited to well-equipped and experienced trampers.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is published in DOC's official route gallery with an explicit reuse licence. Its original caption and credit are retained; it does not establish current track conditions.
