Crooked Route: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Trampers on this route up the Crooked River valley should have backcountry navigation skills.

This DOC directory entry covers Crooked 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: 7.8 km | 13.2 km one way
• Walking time: 6 hr to Jacko Flat Hut | 8 hr to Top Crooked Hut one way
• 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

The route to Jacko Flat Hut follows the Crooked River and is very rough and steep in places. It passes spectacular gorges and rapids, intermingled with deep, blue pools of still water.

Several slips and windthrown trees have made navigation on this route difficult. Allow additional time to navigate these sections. Make sure everyone has a map, compass and excellent backcountry navigation skills.

It is 6 hr (7.8 km) to Jacko Flat hut.

Travel is easier from Jacko Flat Hut to Top Crooked Hut. It is a further 2 hr (5.4 km) to Top Crooked Hut.

The route up to the Morgan Tops, just downstream and opposite Top Crooked Hut, is very steep.

Once onto the tops there are several options for experienced trampers. A popular option is to travel on to Lake Morgan Hut and then exit via Mount O’Shanessy and the Brian O’Lyn Route down to the Haupiri River.

Getting there

Drive north from Greymouth to Stillwater on SH7 and turn right into Arnold Valley Road (approximately 13 km). Follow this road to Moana (approximately 40 km).

From Moana drive south (towards Christchurch) for approximately 14 km, turn left on to Bell Hill Road. Turn right after 1.8 km onto the public (unmaintained and rough) Rotomanu-Kopara Road.

The last section of this road crosses private land and permission needs to be obtained from the land owner, phone +64 210 669 530.

The turn off at the locked gate is signposted, and there is a signpost at the start of the track in the car park (paddock).

Know before you go

Parts of this route run along ever-changing braided riverbeds and travel along them is at the discretion of tramping parties. Rivers rise quickly in wet weather and 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.

Experience in the alpine environment is needed if you are going to head up to the Morgan Tops. The area is rugged with a high point of 1462 m. Navigation skills are needed as it would be easy to get lost in claggy / whiteout conditions.

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.