Hump Ridge Track
Hump Ridge Track is a 61.5 km loop tramping route in Fiordland National Park, starting and finishing at Rarakau car park near Tuatapere. It’s built around a 3-day / 2-night itinerary over sub-alpine tops and along rugged southern-coast terrain, with the usual day walking time in the 7–9 hour range.
Day 1 runs Rarakau car park to Ōkaka Lodge (20.6 km). The route follows the South Coast Track around Te Waewae Bay, with crossings including Waikōau River, Hump Burn (Stoney Creek), Waikoko Stream, and later Pipi Tuaraki Stream (Flat Creek), before turning onto Hump Ridge Track and ascending from coastal forest into mountain beech toward Ōkaka Lodge above the tree line.
Ōkaka Lodge has a short side trip: a 45-minute boardwalk loop from the lodge area around tors and tarns on Hump Ridge.
Day 2 is Ōkaka Lodge to Port Craig Lodge (20.7 km). The route undulates along the ridge and then descends to rejoin the South Coast Track. This day includes the historic Edwin Burn, Percy Burn and Sand Hill viaducts and Tramline, with the walking ending at Port Craig Lodge.
From Port Craig Lodge, a side trip goes into the Port Craig settlement area to look at remnants of the sawmill site, including an interpretive walk and older relics such as a baker’s oven and old wharf piles on the beach.
Day 3, Port Craig Lodge to Rarakau car park (20.2 km), continues north on the South Coast Track around the edge of Te Waewae Bay and back to Rarakau car park.
The track opened as the 11th Great Walk on 25 October 2024 and operates as a no-dogs Great Walk; it also requires moderate to high fitness for long walking days plus steps/boardwalk and significant elevation gain.
On coastal sections, manage hazards from tidal surges/rogue waves and note that South Coast Track access can be limited to low tide at Blowholes Beach; bring gear for fast-changing Fiordland weather and be ready for wasps and cold, wet conditions. Unless you arrange helicopter pack transport, you need to carry all your food and gear (meals are also available in the lodges).
More information: Official website, Wikipedia, New Zealand's 11 Great Walks, Ranked - Petrina Darrah