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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: -42.44804, 172.35052. 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
- 5.7 km from Nina swing bridge one way
- Walking time
- 4 hr
- Track grade
- Expert
- Location
- Lake Sumner Forest Park
- 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
From the Nina Valley Track, follow Lucretia Hut Route to get to Lucretia Hut.
This DOC directory entry covers Lucretia Hut 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: 5.7 km from Nina swing bridge one way
- Walking time: 4 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
SH7 to Nina swing bridge
Time: 1 hr
Follow Nina Valley Track to the swing bridge.
Nina swing bridge to Lucretia Hut
Time: 3 hr
From the Nina swing bridge (do not cross) continue up true left of the Nina River until you reach Lucretia Stream. Climb over a small gorge before descending to cross the stream. Continue up the true right to reach the hut situated on a tussock flat.
Getting there
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.
