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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -42.70531, 171.56206. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 3 km | 6.1 km one way
- Walking time
- 3 hr to hut | 8–10 hr to Mt Alexander summit
- Track grade
- Expert
- Location
- Ahaura River and Lake Brunner catchments area
- 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
A backcountry route to Camp Creek Hut with the option of following a ridge to the summit of Mount Alexander.
This DOC directory entry covers Camp Creek Route in West Coast, within Ahaura River and Lake Brunner catchments area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 3 km | 6.1 km one way
- Walking time: 3 hr to hut | 8–10 hr to Mt Alexander summit
- DOC grade: Expert
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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
From the road end, the route passes through thick rainforest until it reaches Camp Creek. It then continues up the creek bed before climbing steeply up a side creek. It then follows a ridge, before levelling out and sidling around the hill, high above the creek.
The route crosses the creek shortly before reaching Camp Creek Hut (up a short side-track).
It is then a very steep climb onto the tops before following a marked track along a ridge to a high point at 1795 m. Spectacular 360-degree views reward trampers after a long and steep climb.
For experienced parties, the summit of Mount Alexander can be reached by continuing along the ridge for a further 2 km of very steep and exposed rock scrambling.
Be careful of slips: There are a number of difficult to navigate slips between the road end and Camp Creek Hut. Extreme caution is advised when crossing these sections.
Getting there
The route starts approximately 19 km south of Moana (towards Christchurch) on the Lake Brunner Road between Inchbonnie and Rotomanu, just north of Lake Poerua.
The turnoff from the road and carpark are both signposted.
Know before you go
Experience in the alpine environment is needed to get to point 1795 m. To get to the Mount Alexander summit, confidence with heights and rock scrambling skills are essential. This section would be very dangerous in winter with a bit of snow around.
Parts of this route involve crossing swiftly flowing alpine creeks which can rise quickly and become impassable in wet weather. A good knowledge of river crossing is essential.
Parties should be experienced and self-contained with cookers and a tent/tent fly in case of delays. Maps and a compass are essential.
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 a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
