Devilskin Saddle Route: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This route links the Nina and Doubtful valleys via Devilskin Saddle. This trip is suitable for experienced trampers and combines mountain-beech forest, river flats and an alpine saddle crossing.

This DOC directory entry covers Devilskin Saddle Route in Canterbury, within Lake Sumner Forest 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: 9 km one way
• Walking time: 6 hr
• 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.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

It can be walked in either direction, but it is recommended you walk it from the Nina valley.

Nina Hut to Devils Den Biv

Time: 2 hr

The track from the hut sidles through beech forest high above the Nina River. This section is a little harder to follow, but is reasonably well marked. Gradually gain altitude to reach Blind Stream after about an hour. The track climbs above the true right of the stream and very steeply up a spur. Use tree roots for hand and foot holds to avoid a hidden waterfall. Then track then levels out and reaches the old hut site at the tree line. This area is suitable for camping in summer but is avalanche prone in winter and spring.

From here the route continues up the true right of the stream through waist-high red tussock. This section has risk of avalanches in winter and spring. Follow marker poles as the route sidles away from the stream and climbs for about 30 minutes to reach Devilskin Saddle where there are good views down both valleys. The Devils Den Biv is a further 100 m along the saddle.

Note: This area is not suitable for camping. Trampers will need to return to the old hut site if they need to camp.

Devils Den Biv to Doubtful Hut

Time: 4 hr

From the hut, follow marker poles down to Devilskin Stream where a track is picked up at the bushline. This track sidles along high on the true left above the stream, through silver beech forest. It eventually descends steeply to the confluence of Devilskin Stream and Doubtful River.

Doubtful River must be crossed here. This crossing could be dangerous during or after heavy rain. Doubtful Hut is situated just downstream on a river terrace. From Doubtful Hut it is a 2 hour walk to cross the Boyle River to reach SH7.

Doubtful Valley Track branches from Doubtful Hut. The track follows Doubtful River to Amuri Pass

Getting there

From the Nina Valley end, access is off SH7, around 50 km after the turnoff to Hanmer Springs and 10 km from Lewis Pass.

There is a carpark just opposite Palmer Lodge (private lodge). A swingbridge over the Lewis River gives access to the Nina Valley.

Know before you go

NZTopo50 map sheets: BT23, BU23

Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to April – cover food and keep lids on sweet drinks, wear light-coloured clothing and carry antihistamine cream/tablets as a precaution.

Check the Devilskin Saddle weather forecast – NIWA website.

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.