Old Ghost Road

Old Ghost Road is an 85 km, point-to-point tramping (hiking) route in New Zealand’s West Coast region, following a revived 19th-century gold miners’ road corridor between Lyell and Seddonville.

For most trampers it’s planned as 4 nights / 5 days, with a south-to-north itinerary commonly used. The standard legs are: Lyell Carpark (DOC campground) to Lyell Saddle Hut (18 km, 4–6 hr), then Lyell Saddle Hut to Ghost Lake Hut (12 km, 3–5 hr), Ghost Lake Hut to Stern Valley Hut (13 km, 3–4 hr), Stern Valley Hut to Specimen Point Hut (25 km, 7–8 hr), and Specimen Point Hut to the northern trailhead (17 km, 4–6 hr).

Route terrain is steep and remote, ranging from near sea level to more than 1300 m. Expect long, firm track in places, plus uneven and narrow sections and remote alpine weather; freezing temperatures, heavy rain, and snow can occur at any time of year on higher ground.

Water and crossings drive route difficulty. There are 21 bridges providing passage over main waterways, but some remaining unbridged creeks and trail sections can flood during heavy or sustained rain—the most notable is Irishman’s Creek in the lower Lyell Gorge. For Goat Creek, the hut access requires fording, which can be hazardous or impassable during elevated flow or flood.

Accommodation centers on huts managed for the route: bookings are required for the Lyell Saddle, Ghost Lake, Stern Valley, and Specimen Point huts. Goat Creek Hut and Mōkihinui Forks Hut do not require bookings and are available on a first-come basis (with DOC facilities including simple hut services). There’s no food support on the track, so you need to be self-sufficient with your carried supplies.

The route is managed as a backcountry track with a risk-and-skills expectation. Trampers should be fit enough for long walking days and experienced with backcountry alpine tramping; carry a distress beacon and a first aid kit, and plan around exposure to rapidly changing weather. When wet weather is part of the plan, scout/inspect the key crossing sections and don’t treat swollen creeks as routine—conditions can quickly shift from bridged to impassable.

More information: Official website, Official website, The Old Ghost Road: Hiking New Zealand’s gnarliest long-distance bike t...