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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: -42.06528, 172.48176. 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
- 19 km one way
- Walking time
- 7-8 hr
- Track grade
- Expert
- Location
- Nelson Lakes National 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
This route provides access to Nardoo Hut and remotes tops in the area.
This DOC directory entry covers Nardoo Creek Route in Tasman, within Nelson Lakes 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: 19 km one way
- Walking time: 7-8 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
Note: True left and true right refer to the side of the valley or river when facing and looking downstream.
The track starts 3 km from the car park. From the car park head towards the hops farm buildings. Follow the marked track along the true right of the Matakitaki River.
On your left is Watson Creek Route, cross the Matakitaki River to take you to the true left.
Follow the route along the bottom of the steep hill on your right. It will lead you to a small saddle on a well benched track and then down the other side into the Nardoo Creek.
The track will dip in and out of the riverbed before you follow the river itself.
There is a section of the river which is impassable. Take a higher marked route to traverse this section. This is roughly where the river course will lead you southwest rather than south.
Climb in and out of the creek for another 2.5 km to the bush line. When you come out of the bush, keep climbing through the tussock for another 100 m in altitude. Keep a look out to the south for Nardoo Hut on the bush hedge.
Getting there
Turn off SH6 at Longford onto the Mangles Valley Road. Follow this to Tutaki Road South and then turn right. Continue until it becomes Mole Road.
At a sharp right hand turn in the road you’ll see a small farm road heading off to your left. Follow this for 700 m until you see the carpark.
Know before you go
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.
