Taipo River Track to Harman Pass: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

The Taipo Valley is often travelled as part of a popular route from the Waimakariri River via Harman Pass. This guide describes the route from SH73 to Harman Pass only.

This DOC directory entry covers Taipo River Track to Harman Pass in West Coast, within Kelly Range – Styx River 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: 2 days
• 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

This route is suitable for well equipped people with previous backcountry experience. The best seasons to go are summer and autumn. The times described are a guide only.

Main Road to Dillon Hut

Time: 2 - 3 hr

Walking from the car park at SH73 to Dillon Hut will take you 2-3 hours following the 4WD road. This road crosses private land, respect the landowners property and stay on the track and adhere to the private property signage.

At the end of the road, you cross Seven Mile Creek. This creek is swift and care needs to be taken to choose a crossing point.

Once crossed it is a short walk to Dillon Hut. Which sits on a grassy, tree studded flat about 800 m up the Taipo Valley from Seven Mile Creek. The old Dillons Homestead, which sits on the true left of Seven Mile Creek, provides good ‘character’ accommodation. This hut is maintained by local volunteers.

Dillons Hut to Mid Taipo Hut

Time: 3 to 4 hr

Less than 1 hour of walking up the valley from Dillon Hut will bring you to Scotties 3 Wire. Cross the 3 wire bridge to the true left riverbank, then a steep climb will take you to the top of a bushed terrace. The track continues along the terrace for several hundred meters before dropping steeply back down and out onto a series of river flats. These flats are followed for a few kilometres.

About 600 m beyond Dunns Creek, the track sidles into the bush and the track continues to follow the river from above. The track opens out to river flats again below Hura Creek. After crossing Hura Creek, pick up the cut track leading to Mid Taipo Hut 500 m beyond. During heavy rain Seven Mile, Dunns and Hura Creeks quickly become impassable.

Mid Taipo Hut to Julia Hut

Time: 2 - 3 hr

From Mid Taipo Hut head upstream for about 1500 m to the Mid Taipo Swing Bridge. Using the bridge, cross to the true right bank and continue up river. From this point on the track crosses various side streams and alternates between riverbed and bush travel. A three wire bridge gives access across Tumbledown Creek. The old Julia Hut (an open fireplace and loads of character) is in a clearing on a terrace just upstream of a large tarn.

The newer hut is a few minutes further along the track, on a lower terrace.

A short track leads from the front door down to the Taipo River. Approximately 450 m downstream on the true right of the Taipo some hot springs can be located on the river’s edge (follow your nose as you get closer). You may need to dig them out to create a pool. Don’t put your head under the water as there is a risk of contracting amoebic meningitis.

Julia Hut to Harman Pass

Time: 3 - 4 hours

From Julia Hut follow the track upstream then cross the Mary Creek Swing Bridge. The track climbs and sidles above Mary Creek before eventually dropping down to the creek bed. Initially travel remains on the true left but after half an hour or so marker poles lead you across to the true right and up toward the gorge in Mary Creek.

Cross the creek below the gorge and follow the markers climbing and sidling high to avoid the gorge. Keep following the marker poles, dropping into and crossing Mary Creek above the gorge and climbing through easy bluffs to Harman Pass. In misty/cloudy conditions it is difficult to see the poles and care should be taken to locate and follow them.

Getting there

Access into the Taipo Valley is via a rough gravel track from SH73. The track begins opposite the first farmhouse on the left after crossing the Taipo River Bridge while driving toward Otira, and climbs over a high terrace.

The carpark adjacent to SH73 has parking for 2WD vehicles. The road is not maintained past this point.

4WD vehicles can continue from here to as far as the Taipo River where the end of vehicle access is signposted. From this point, vehicle access is not recommended – the Taipo river here is deep, swift, and should not be crossed, even by experienced 4WD drivers. Further streams and creeks, especially Seven-Mile Creek are frequently impassable because of flooding.

Know before you go

• Call at the DOC office for the latest track conditions and to purchase your hut tickets prior to starting the trip.

• This information is an indication of conditions only. Times shown are a general guide only.

• Storm damage to the route and re-growth of vegetation will slow progress. Allowances must be made for possible delays through bad weather and track damage.

• True left and true right refer to the side of the valley or river when looking downstream.

Topomaps: NZTopo50 BV20 Otira and BU20 Moana

Huts: Huts generally contain no cooking equipment trampers are advised to travel 'self contained'.

Hazards: Floods regularly affect the river and side streams. If you're planning to travel through to Harman Pass during the winter/early spring be aware of avalanche risk in the side streams of Mary Creek. Ice axes and crampons may be required.

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

Respect farm property: The Taipo Valley is a working farm with a mixture of freehold land and DOC grazing licence. The farmer allows access over the freehold section of land on the condition that parties respect the area and show consideration for stock and property. Hunting parties in particular must remember that there are other people and domestic stock in the valley and to take care at all times.

Thieves targeting cars at Arthur's Pass

There have been reports of cars being broken into and disabled at track ends.

• Don't leave valuables in your vehicle.

• Consider using more public parking sites – ask at the Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre for alternative options.

• Report any suspicious activity to police on +64 3 363 7400.

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.