French Ridge Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

French Ridge Track is a steep and technical alpine hike in Mt Aspiring National Park. It leads to French Ridge Hut at 1480 m.

This DOC directory entry covers French Ridge Track in Otago, within Matukituki Valley area / Mount Aspiring 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: 6 hr - 7 hr 30 min 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.

Seasonal restrictions

The track is best hiked in dry weather in summer and early autumn.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

French Ridge Track is best suited to experienced hikers who are comfortable with steep, high and technical tracks. You can expect:

• A demanding and very steep climb from the valley floor to French Ridge hut, gaining over 900 m of elevation in 2 km.

• A rough track that requires you to scramble up tree roots and rock slabs using your hands.

• Steep and slippery terrain where a fall could cause serious injury.

• Fast-changing alpine weather.

If this doesn't sound right for you, Aspiring Hut is an easier overnight trip in Mount Aspiring National Park, with options for side trips further up the valley or to see the Rob Roy Glacier.

Raspberry Creek car park to Aspiring Hut

Time: 2 hr – 2 hr 30 min Distance: 9 km

The track starts at Raspberry Creek car park. Follow the West Matukituki Track up the valley to Aspiring Hut. The track is mainly through grassy farm flats, with a couple of short climbs which give good views over the valley.

Aspiring Hut to Pearl Flat

Time: 1 hr 30 minDistance: 5 km

The track enters the bush near Aspiring Hut. After 10 minutes a bridge crosses Cascade Creek, and a 1 km bush section emerges onto an open terrace leading to Shovel Flat.

The track has eroded at the head of Shovel Flat. Proceed with caution and allow extra time. Follow the orange poles towards the bush, instead of following the riverbank. After 400 m, you will reach Pearl Flat.

At Pearl Flat, the West Matukituki Track connects with French Ridge Track and Liverpool Track.

Challenging avalanche terrain between Rough Creek (just beyond Aspiring Hut) and the intersection with the Liverpool Track can make travel hazardous from late autumn to early summer. Move quickly through this area and be vigilant. Avalanche debris may reach the valley floor at Shovel Flat, so do not camp there.

Example of the rock slabs to navigate on the trackImage: DOC

Pearl Flat - French Ridge Hut

Time: 2 hr 30 min - 3 hr 30 minDistance: 2.2 km

From Pearl Flat, cross the Liverpool Stream swing bridge then a second swing bridge to the east bank of the Matukituki River.

The track then enters the bush. It is a demanding, steep, and often slippery climb to the bushline that requires you to pull yourself up using tree roots and negotiate rock slabs.

Follow a steep and narrow track through the subalpine zone, then follow the gentle tussock slopes for about 1 km. The hut is at 1480 m, on flattish ground.

Getting there

The track starts at the Raspberry Creek car park, 54 km west of Wanaka on the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road. The drive takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. The last 30 km are gravel.

There are several creeks to drive through in the last 10 km of the road. These rise in heavy rain and can become impassable to 2WD and sometimes 4WD vehicles. After 24 hours of little or no rain, the fords are usually passable for 2WD vehicles, including campervans.

Check the weather forcast on NIWA website.

Drive slowly through the fords and, if in doubt, get out of your vehicle to check the depth of them beforehand. If needed, you can park before the final two fords and walk the remaining few hundred metres to the car park – just make sure your vehicle is safely off the road and not blocking any farm gates.

After particularly heavy rain, the road is prone to washouts, sometimes requiring it to be closed for repairs.

Road conditions

Check the Department of Conservation – Wānaka & Queenstown Facebook page for the latest road conditions.

Know before you go

Example of the terrain to expect in the bush section. Image: DOC

This is a challenging track

Make sure you have the fitness and experience for this track. The track is suitable for experienced hikers only and needs good fitness.

Weather

Check the weather before you go - NIWA

In very heavy rain, creeks along the track, particularly at Shovel Flat, may become impassable.

Beyond the valley floor, rain, ice and snow all make the track surface much more slippery and so increase the risk of falls. Above the bushline, the French Ridge Track is very exposed, so check the wind gust forecast.

The track is best hiked in dry weather in summer and early autumn. The weather changes fast and cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. Always carry gear for bad weather.

Take the right gear

Good equipment makes all the difference to enjoying your trip.

Hiking boots/shoes with good grip are essential. All hikers need to carry warm and waterproof clothing, including gloves and a hut.

Take plenty of food and water, plus gear for emergencies. Pack your own toilet paper as it's not provided at the hut.

Overnight trampers will also need a sleeping bag, cooking gear (including a stove, fuel, and cooking equipment). There are no lights, fires or heaters provided at the hut, so bring warm clothing.

The long climb is demanding and we recommend you pack lightweight food and gear.

Overnight and multi-day tramp gear list

Winter conditions

These valleys aren't closed in winter, but snow can make travel difficult and dangerous. Mountaineering experience, including using an ice axe, crampons and avalanche rescue equipment, is needed in winter, and sometimes in spring and autumn.

The snow can be as low as the bushline as late in the year as December, and as early as April. Ask the Wānaka Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre staff about current conditions.

Be avalanche alert

This area has terrain that can produce avalanches that cross the track in the West Matukituki valley, usually from May into November.

View avalanche information and the terrain rating for this track

Swing bridges

There's a limit to the number people allowed on the swing bridges at any one time – be prepared to wait at each end if numbers allowed have been reached.

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.