Elizabeth Hut Route: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

A backcountry route that follows the Haupiri River to Elizabeth Hut, with further travel possible over the Trent Saddle.

This DOC directory entry covers Elizabeth Hut 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: 12 km one way
• Walking time: 6 hr
• 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 initially follows a 4WD farm track on the true left of the Haupiri River to a car park. From the car park, the route to Elizabeth Hut is marked.

The remains of a natural hot-spring bath are found just upstream of the Haupiri River and Cone Creek junction, 40 m off the marked route.

Trent Saddle and Tutaekuri Route

The route consists of open grassy flats and sometimes unmarked braided river travel, marked tracks through West Coast bush, an alpine crossing and negotiating gorges in the upper Trent River.

Beyond Elizabeth Hut a marked route continues over the Trent Saddle (3 hr) to Top Trent (Lagoon) Hut (another 2 hr). From Top Trent Hut there is unmarked riverbed travel down the Trent River to the Mid Trent Hut (6 hr).

The route out to the Waikiti Downs carpark via the Tutaekuri River is 7 hr, with an optional side trip to stay at Tutaekuri Hut (45 min detour up the Tutaekuri River). It can be completed in either direction.

Getting there

Drive north from Greymouth to Ngahere on SH7 and turn right on to Nelson Creek Road just past Ngahere (approximately 25 km).

Follow this road for approximately 30 km, then turn right on to Heaphy Road, just past Lake Haupiri. The carpark is signposted.

Know before you go

This route is accessed through private land. Contact the landowners for access: Gloriavale Christian Community, phone +64 3 738 0224.

Trent Saddle reaches 1071 m elevation – it is exposed, and good warm clothing is needed in the winter.

Parties should be experienced and self-contained with cookers and a tent/tent fly in case of delays. Maps and a compass are essential.

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.

Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

How to cross rivers safely

NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows

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.