Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur’s Pass National Park NZ

The Woolshed Hill Track is an excellent walk of only moderate difficulty with great views over peaks & valleys in Arthur’s Pass National Park from the summit at 1429m.

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass

I’d been saving the Woolshed Hill Track for winter, when I thought I could get good snowy views for moderate effort and without avalanche risk. The walk certainly delivered, with excellent views from the summit of Woolshed Hill (1429m) over the Waimakariri, Hawdon and Andrews Valleys, and many of other snow capped peaks in Arthur’s Pass including Mt Binser and the Pyramid. And there was enough snow on the tops to make it feel a bit alpine up there, (although somebody who walked it a week later said the snow had gone).

A good short/half day option when you don’t want to contend with some of the more challenging tramps in Arthur’s Pass National Park. Track notes at the end.

Woolshed Hill Track: The Scenery

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Interesting beech forest here.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
I’d not seen white fungus like this before in the wilds.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Beech forest.

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
The Hawdon Valley
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
A pleasing panorama of the Waimakariri Valley (in mist), Mt Foweraker, The Pyramid, and Hawdon Valley.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Sophia posing in front of colourful heath vegetation, with Mt Foweraker and the Pyramid background right.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
A panorama from the summit.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Waimakariri River
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
A portrait shot from the summit.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Sophia hamming it up on the summit.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
The Waimakariri Valley in mist.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Unnamed mountains lining the Hawdon Valley.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Lunch with a view. Mt Binser on the left, which we’ve climbed before.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Andrews Valley
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Sugarloaf in the centre. There are lots of hills in NZ called Sugarloaf for some reason.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Sophia admiring the view.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Leaving the summit.

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
Very colourful up there.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
The Hawdon Valley
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
The Hawdon River joining the Waimakariri River. Descending back into forest at this point.
Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
A friendly South Island Robin. Love these guys.


Track Notes

Woolshed Hill Track, Arthur's Pass
We started from just the other side of the forest to Kidson lodge, but you can also start at the Hawdon Shelter. It’s tracked until above the bushline then it’s along the ridge to the summit.

We started from just the other side of the forest to Kidson Lodge, but you can also start at the Hawdon Shelter and walk through a track into the clearing containing the lodge. There’s a track until above the bushline then it’s along the ridge to the summit. I got slightly lost twice but really you shouldn’t have much trouble! It will take roughly 4 hours all up so not such a long walk. Note that it is pretty steep through the forest in some spots, so careful footing required especially in the wet.

Quite nearby is another moderate walk with good views, Bealey Spur, so try that as well if you haven’t done it.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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