Waimakariri Falls Hut to Rolleston River: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This challenging alpine crossing is not maintained – proceed with caution.

This DOC directory entry covers Waimakariri Falls Hut to Rolleston River in Canterbury, within Arthur's Pass 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: 17.3 km one way
• Walking time: 2–3 days one way
• 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 unmaintained track begins from Carrington Hut.

How to get to Carrington Hut

Carrington Hut to Waimakariri Falls Hut

Distance: 7.6 kmTime: 3–5 hours

The tramp from Carrington Hut to Waimakariri Falls Hut passes through dramatic alpine scenery, with waterfalls running down sheer rock faces to gentle tarn-studded alpine herbfields. The upper beech forest edge and beginning of the alpine zone are only one hour from Carrington Hut.

Avalanche paths on this route

This route passes through several known avalanche paths. Avalanches can occur anytime there is snow on steep slopes. During heavy snow conditions, we recommend not using this route unless you’re sufficiently equipped and experienced to assess the snow conditions and choose a safe path through avalanche terrain.

Waimakariri Falls Hut is located in known avalanche paths. Avalanches are most likely to occur during and following heavy snowfall or rain when snow loading is present on the upper mountain slopes. Do not use this hut during these high-risk periods. Check Arthur's Pass avalanche forecast

Waimakariri Falls Hut to The Divide

Distance: 2.4 kmTime: 2–3 hr

From Waimakariri Falls Hut you can see a ravine and two lines of bluffs to its left. Travel up the true left to the ravine in the middle of the valley and cross the Waimakariri River below the ravine. Go up the scree between the two bluffs.

This will take you above the lower bluffs. Sidle to the right to get around the upper bluffs. The low point in the ridge where you cross is between Point 1845 and Mt Armstrong. Make your own way through bluffs to this point well to the northwest of Waimakariri Col.

Do not attempt to cross the divide at Waimakariri Col.

The Divide to Rolleston River Route

Distance: 2.7 kmTime: 4 hr

From the ridge, travel is down the stream draining the small glacier on the slopes of Mt Armstrong. The gully running parallel to the stream develops into a steep chute and should not be entered. Leave the stream where it begins to level out in the basin below.

Rolleston River has a series of steep gorges and waterfalls. Stay high above the true left of the river – sidle to the left well above Rolleston River. Sidle down to the knob near the bottom of the basin, a cairn may be present on top.

From the knob follow a worn trail down its ridge, through rocky outcrops. Stay high and do not drop onto the flattish tussocky terrace below. Instead, cross the first scree slope you come to. In a few minutes you will come to a small side stream. Cross this above its junction with the Rolleston River.

Climb the scrub covered slopes on the true left for around 100 m. Then sidle above the Rolleston River across areas of extremely steep scree, tussock and scrub, slowly descending with the fall of the river below for about 2 hours (1 km).

If there is snow around, there’s the possibility of avalanches. At the northern end of this long traverse is a narrow, boulder strewn scree slope, with scrub covered bluffs on its downstream side. Descend to the Rolleston River crossing to the true right. The marked Rolleston River Route is picked up here.

Below this point the Rolleston River becomes heavily gorged with several large and impassable waterfalls.

Rolleston River Route to Rail Bridge

Distance: 4.6 kmTime: 2 hr

The route climbs a short distance before sidling above the river for around 1.5 km ending at a scree slope. This slope is easily descended to the river.

Boulder hop downstream, crossing to the true left when the riverbed turns to shingle. Follow the KiwiRail access road out to SH73. Otira can be reached by walking about an hour from here.

Getting there

This track begins from Carrington Hut.

How to get to Carrington Hut

If you want to start this route from the opposite end, go to the KiwiRail access road from SH73 south of Otira.

Know before you go

What to expect

A challenging alpine crossing with multiple hazards. The route is not marked or maintained by DOC between Waimakariri Falls Hut and Rolleston River.

You can expect to encounter:

• rugged terrain

• snow and ice anytime of the year

• avalanche paths that you have to cross

• steep descents over boulders, scree and scrub

Skills and experience you need

To do this trip, you need:

• to be experienced in backcountry alpine tramping, including being comfortable using crampons and an ice axe

• to be able to assess confidently the weather and avalanche conditions, and decide whether it is safe to proceed

• to have good navigation skills, able to navigate off-track and in poor conditions

• the gear to be self-sufficient in a remote alpine area

Without these skills, experience and equipment, you are advised not to travel this route.

Gear list

Pack to be fully self-sufficient, including an emergency shelter, survival kit, extra food and a distress beacon.

Multi-day gear list

Alpine gear list:

• ice axe

• crampons

• avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe and snow shovel and the knowledge to use them.

Snow and ice may be present all year

Choose a good crossing point

Know your route well. The recommended crossing point is between point 1845 and Mt Armstrong as shown on the NZTopo 50 map (higher and further northwest of Waimakariri Col.)

Do not attempt to cross the divide at Waimakariri Col.

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.