NEW ZEALAND GREAT WALKS GUIDE
hump ridge Track Guide: Everything You Need to Plan Your Hike
The Hump Ridge Track is a stunning multi-day hiking trail located in Fiordland, New Zealand. The track offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, goblin forests, and southern coastline. With a variety of terrain and landscapes, hikers can experience the beauty of New Zealand's wilderness while challenging themselves physically. The Hump Ridge Track is the latest addition to the Great Walks and is not for the faint of heart.
hump ridgE TRACK
Each track has its own story - click the links below to find out what awaits you
Read our Hump Ridge Track experience of the track
Want to know what it's really like? Read about our 3-day adventure, favourite viewpoints, hut stays, and the lessons we learned along the way.
hump ridge track Quick Overview
location
The Hump Ridge Track is located at the bottom of the South Island in Fiordland. The closest airport is Invercargill and is approximately an 1 hr 15 min drive west of the city. It is possible to drive from Queenstown in approximately 2 hrs 30 mins drive.
difficulty
One of the more challenging Great Walks. Each day consists of walking 20-22 km over varied terrain. The first day's ascent to Okaka Hut is steep and endless with Day 2's descent navigating down through lush forest via plenty of stairs for weary legs.
at a glance
LENGTH: 61 km loop track
DURATION: 3 days
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Hard
CAMPING: No camping allowed
itinerary
Great Walks Season - Late October - 30 April
DAY 1: Rarakau Car Park to Okaka Lodge (22 km / 7 hrs - 9 hrs)
DAY 2: Okaka Lodge to Port Craig Lodge (20 km / 7 hrs - 9 hrs)
DAY 3: Port Craig Lodge to Rarakau Car Park (20 km / 5 hrs -7 hrs
WHY WALK THE HUMP RIDGE TRACK
BEST FOR: Fit hikers looking for a challenging Great Walk with spectacular views and the comfort of premium backcountry lodges.
The Hump Ridge Track is New Zealand's newest Great Walk and offers an experience unlike any of the others. Combining dramatic alpine scenery, ancient native forest, rugged South Coast landscapes and some of the country's most comfortable backcountry accommodation, it's a track that rewards every bit of effort you put in.
One of the biggest advantages of the Hump Ridge Track is its lodges. Unlike standard DOC huts found on most Great Walks, the purpose-built lodges provide a much higher level of comfort after a long day on the trail. Both Okaka Lodge and Port Craig Lodge are heated and feature hot showers, flushing toilets and licensed bars where you can enjoy a cold drink while taking in the scenery. You can choose between shared bunkrooms or private rooms, and sleeping bags or duvets can be hired, allowing you to travel much lighter than on many other multi-day hikes.
For those wanting to reduce the difficulty, it's also possible to have your overnight pack helicoptered to Okaka Lodge. This allows you to tackle the track's toughest climb carrying only a light day pack, with your overnight gear waiting for you at the lodge.
The Hump Ridge Track is also one of the most expensive of New Zealand's Great Walks. While the upfront cost is significantly higher than staying in DOC huts, you're paying for a much more comfortable backcountry experience. The price includes well-appointed lodges with heating, hot showers, flushing toilets, a licensed bars and upgraded facilities that simply aren't available on the other Great Walks. For many hikers, the added comfort at the end of each day makes the extra cost well worth it.
The scenery is incredibly diverse. The first day climbs through lush native forest before entering the enchanting goblin forest, where twisted trees draped in moss create an almost magical atmosphere. Along the way you'll cross impressive suspension bridges, wander beneath towering podocarps, explore the remarkable historic timber viaducts around Port Craig, and enjoy breathtaking views stretching across Fiordland, Te Waewae Bay, Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Southern Ocean. On a clear day, the panoramic vistas from the Hump Ridge are among the finest of any Great Walk.
However, these incredible views come at a price in more ways than one. In our opinion, the climb to Okaka Lodge is the most challenging sustained ascent of any of New Zealand's Great Walks. While the track is well formed, the long uphill climb requires a good level of fitness and can be demanding, particularly if you're carrying a full overnight pack. For this reason, the Hump Ridge Track is best suited to hikers who are reasonably fit or have experience with multi-day hiking.
If you're looking for a Great Walk that combines spectacular scenery, comfortable accommodation, fascinating history and a genuine physical challenge, the Hump Ridge Track should be high on your list. It delivers a more premium backcountry experience than any other Great Walk, while still providing the sense of achievement that comes from earning every view.
Hump Ridge Track overview
The Hump Ridge Track is the newest addition to New Zealand’s Great Walks, becoming a Great Walk in 2024. The track is located in Fiordland National Park in the South Island of New Zealand. The closest airport is Invercargill approx. 1hr 15min drive or 2 hrs 30 min drive from Queenstown. The track can only be walked during the Great Walk season approx. late Oct to end of April and is closed outside of this time due to harsh weather conditions.
The Hump Ridge is a 61 km loop track and takes 3 days to complete. It begins just outside of Tuatapere and there are 2 lodges located on the track, Okaka Lodge and Port Craig Lodge. The track is run by the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust, and the lodges are significantly nicer and more expensive than the normal Great Walk DOC huts. The lodges have:
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Heating and lighting in the rooms
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Kitchens with pots/pans and utensils for hikers to use (no fridges)
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Free porridge breakfast including coffee and tea
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A small shop to purchase dehydrated food, snacks, and the famous Tuatapere dinner meal (sausages, mash, and peas) that hikers can self-cook
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Showers – tokens can be purchased for a 5-minute hot shower
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Different room configurations including bunk rooms and double rooms at differing costs
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Sleeping bags/pillows can also be hired at an extra cost for those in bunk rooms
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A bar
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Helicopter transport to carry packs up to Okaka Lodge at an extra cost of $150. Hikers must then carry their packs for the remaining 2 days
BEST TIME TO WALK THE HUMP RIDGE TRACK
Unlike most of New Zealand's Great Walks, the Hump Ridge Track cannot be walked year-round. The track operates on a seasonal basis, generally opening from late October until mid to late April each year, with the lodges closing over winter. Outside of the operating season, independent walkers cannot complete the full track as the accommodation and track services are unavailable. Before making your plans, always check the current season dates as they can vary slightly from year to year.
The best time to walk the Hump Ridge Track depends on the type of experience you're after. Summer (December to February) offers the warmest temperatures, the longest daylight hours and the most settled weather, making it the most popular time to hike. This is the ideal season for enjoying the spectacular ridge-top views, coastal scenery and long evenings at the lodges.
The shoulder seasons of late October, November, March and April are often quieter and can be a fantastic time to visit if you prefer fewer people on the track. However, because the Hump Ridge Track is located at the very bottom of the South Island, temperatures are noticeably cooler than many of New Zealand's other Great Walks. Weather can change rapidly, and it's not uncommon for hikers to encounter strong winds, heavy rain or even snow on the exposed alpine sections during the shoulder season.
Although the track is only open during the warmer months, snow can still fall around Okaka Lodge and the Hump Ridge. Walkers should always pack warm layers and waterproof clothing and be prepared for alpine conditions, even if the forecast looks favourable. Conditions on the ridge can feel significantly colder than at sea level, particularly when strong southerly winds move through.
No matter when you choose to walk, it's worth allowing some flexibility in your travel plans. Like much of Fiordland and Southland, the weather can be unpredictable, and the best views are reserved for those lucky enough to experience a clear day on the ridge.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE HUMP RIDGE TRACK
Day 1 – Rarakau Car Park to Okaka Lodge - 22 km / 7hrs - 9hrs
Day 1 will take approx 7 hrs - 9 hrs to hike over 22 km. The hike starts from the Rarakau Car Park with hikers ambling through a little forest before dropping down some steep stairs and over suspension bridges before reaching Bluecliffs beach. From here hikers will walk 10 km along the sand until rejoining the trail which hugs the coastline. A turn off will direct hikers into lush goblin-like forest over boardwalks and undulating terrain to Water Bridge Shelter. It's a good place to rest and re-fuel before proceeding.
Hikers can refill water here by dropping a bucket into a stream before tackling the most strenuous part of the track. From here the rest of the hike is 6km upwards. The climb is challenging over tree roots, scrambling over rocks, and ascending a plethora of stairs before reaching the ridgeline. On clear days, views over Te Waewae Bay are stunning. It is another 20-30 mins to Okaka lodge from the ridgeline turn off.
Day 2 – Okaka Lodge to Port Craig Lodge - 20 km / 5 hrs -7 hrs
The day starts with an unmissable sub-alpine loop track, next to Okaka Lodge, with incredible views on a clear day. Drop your packs at the turn off and head up for a 45 min return trip. The rest of the day will take 5 hrs - 7 hrs as you descend Hump Ridge towards Port Craig Lodge. Hikers will follow the ridge and there will be some decent climbs up and over hills until you reach Luncheon Rock where you can stop for lunch and to refill water. From here the descent begins for hours through native bush via lots and lots of steps which can be hard on the knees. When you finally reach flat terrain, you are not far from crossing the Edwin and Percy Burn viaducts. The hike is flat, straight, and probably muddy from here to Port Craig Lodge.
Day 3 – Port Craig Lodge to Rarakau car park - 20 km / 5hrs -7hrs
The final 20 km day is much easier than the first two days and will take approx. 5 hrs -7 hrs from Port Craig Lodge back to Rarakau car park. The track meanders through forest and then comes out at Breakneck Beach. From here the track follows the coastline of Te Waewae Bay where you will ascend and descend in and out of bays and cross beaches until you reach the familiar coastal track completed on Day 1. Hikers will navigate Bluecliffs Beach again and farewell the last of the Hump Ridge stairs to reach the car park.
Day Walk Options
Sections of the Hump Ridge track are more difficult to hike as a day walk. The first 10 km of the track from Rarakau car park is predominantly a beach walk. The return hike from the end of the beach is already 20 km. For fit hikers it is possible to hike from Rarakau Car Park to Water Bridge Shelter and return if you start early.
Suggestion:
Rarakau Car Park to Water Bridge Shelter return - 29 km / 7 hrs - 8 hrs. The first 10 km is along the beach and relatively flat. From the end of the beach continue along the coast until you turn inland along boardwalk sections into the goblin-like forest. Have lunch at Water Bridge Shelter and return.
Helicopter to Okaka Lodge then return to Rarakau Car Park - 22 km / 7 hrs - 9 hrs. It is possible to get helicopter transport from Rarakau Car Park to Okaka lodge (approx $300). Stay the night at Okaka Lodge and complete the sub alpine loop track. The next day hike 22 km downhill back to Rarakau Car Park. This service is available on certain days or by request.
HUMP RIDGE TRACK DIFFICULTY
A moderate to high level of fitness is required to complete the Hump Ridge Track. It is best suited to hikers who have completed a multi-day hike before. We found the Hump Ridge to be the most challenging of all the Great Walks. The climb to Okaka Lodge from Water Bridge Shelter is endless and just as we thought we were coming out of the forest to the ridgeline we had to navigate a series of savage stairs. Every hiker at Okaka Lodge was knackered by the time they arrived but hiking would be significantly easier without a full hiking pack.
Day 2 is also quite hard on your knees. There are stairs for days on the descent as the terrain is steep, rough, and muddy. When we completed the Hump Ridge not all of the stairs had been completed yet, so enjoy a few extra.
Hump Ridge Track Elevation Profile
HUMP RIDGE TRACK LOGISTICS & BOOKINGS
Before you book anything, secure bookings for the lodges first. The Hump Ridge Track is the newest addition to New Zealand's Great Walks and is likely to be particularly popular as a result. Booking the Hump Ridge is a little different to other Great Walks where you just book the hut or campsite. There are 3 main packages hikers can choose from when booking the Hump Ridge that range from $445 - $2195.
1. Freedom Walk
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Multi-share accommodation in either a 4- or 8-person bunk room
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Free porridge breakfast
2. Prime Package
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One night pre-walk accommodation at Last Light Lodge
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Multi-share accommodation in a 4-person bunk (sheets, duvet and pillow provided)
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Shower token
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Dehydrated dinner or Tuatapere Meal (sausages, mash & peas)
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Free porridge breakfast
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Pack helicoptered to Okaka Hut. Walkers to carry their own pack on remaining days
3. Guided Walk
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Pre-departure B&B accommodation at the Last Light Lodge
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Transport to and from Tuatapere to Rarakau Car Park
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Short helicopter flight across Te Waewae Bay
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Pack helicoptered to Okaka Hut on Day 1 (day packs provided). Walkers to carry their own pack on remaining days.
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Multi-share accommodation with sheets, duvet, pillow, hot shower tokens and towels provided
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Fully catered breakfasts and dinners with packed lunches
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Snacks and fresh fruit also supplied
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Experienced guides
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Guided walkers have exclusive use of the lodges during their walk
There are also optional extras that can be purchased on top of your chosen package
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Shower tokens
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Sleeping bag hire
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Dehydrated meals or the Tuatapere Meal (sausages, mash & peas) to self-cook
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Private rooms with bed linen.
For more information on how to book the lodges and pricing, check out the PLAN & BOOK section above or click the link below.
The easiest way to get to the Hump Ridge Track is to drive a car and leave it at Rarakau car park for the duration of the hike. The car park asks for a small koha (donation). Otherwise, shuttle transport can be arranged from Invercargill, Te Anau, Tuatapere or Queenstown when booking the hike. For more information on transport options check out the BOOK IT section or click the link below.
The days on the Hump Ridge are long. We recommend staying in Tuatapere before and/or after your hike. For some recommendations click the link below.
Things We Learned
1. Start early - Ok so we have never really mastered this if you have been reading along. Don't be like us and stop for coffee at the 'cute little shop' in town, faff around, and start at 10.30am. Don't do that. We usually hike in Feb/March when there are more daylight hours, not October. One of the crew paid for this misstep arriving later than ideal to Okaka Lodge in the dark. Still a work in progress.
2. Hiking in cooler months is different - Usually we hike in summer but this time we hiked on the first day of the Great Walks season in October and had to re-consider our gear. It snowed 2 days before our arrival at Okaka Lodge, so everyone carried gaiters. Turns out we used them for all that mud and not the snow in the end. Good quality, packable puffer jackets are great to add extra warmth without adding too much pack weight.
3. Luxury on the trail could be our jam- We have never completed a guided walk but I'm guessing the Freedom Package on Hump Ridge will be as close as we'll get. Nice lodges, heating, full kitchen, and a bar. It certainly came at an extra cost, but we could definitely get used to this. Watch out.
TIPS From The Crew
1. Start early - the first day is grueling. Head out early so you have plenty of time for the ascent to Okaka Lodge.
2. Don't be tight - pay for the $20 shower token if it's not included in your package. It will be the best 5 mins of your life. The climb is hard, and the mud is muddy. Great Walks don't usually have showers, so treat yourself champ, you deserve it.
3. Consider the extras - we paid for the sleeping bag hire and the Tuatapere Meals (sausage, peas, and mash). The sleeping bags were warm, and the beds were nicely made up when we arrived at the lodge. Although you still cook the meal yourself, it lightened our pack weight considerably by not lugging dinners or sleeping gear. The meal is filling and difficult to finish but pretty tasty. Some of the crew opted for extra sausages and put them in their sandwiches the next day.
4. Helicopter your pack if you need to - the climb is tough but would be significantly easier without a full pack. If you are unsure about your fitness or just want to make it easier, do it. You still have to carry your pack for the last two days and it costs approx $150, but if it makes your hike more enjoyable go for it.
5. Train for this one - you'll be glad you did.
HUMP RIDGE COMMON QUESTIONS
How difficult is the Hump Ridge Track?
The Hump Ridge Track is considered one of New Zealand's most challenging Great Walks. The first day involves a long, steep climb to Okaka Lodge, gaining around 900 metres in elevation. While the track is well maintained, hikers should have a reasonable level of fitness and be prepared for several hours of uphill walking.
2. How long is the Hump Ridge Track?
The Hump Ridge Track is a 61 km loop walk that is typically completed over three days and two nights.
3. Can beginners walk the Hump Ridge Track?
Yes, but beginners should be reasonably fit and comfortable walking for several hours with an overnight pack. If you're new to multi-day hiking, regular training before your trip is highly recommended.
4. Can I have my pack transported?
Yes. One of the unique features of the Hump Ridge Track is the option to have your overnight pack helicoptered to Okaka Lodge on the first day. This allows you to complete the toughest climb carrying only a day pack. However, hikers will need to carry their pack for the remainder of the trip.
5. What are the lodges like?
The Hump Ridge Track features purpose-built private lodges rather than standard DOC huts. Both Okaka Lodge and Port Craig Lodge offer heating, hot showers, flushing toilets and licensed bars. Hikers can also purchase snacks and a simple self-cook meal consisting of mashed potato, peas and sausages. You can also choose between shared bunkrooms and private rooms.
6. Do I need to carry a sleeping bag?
Not necessarily. If you're staying in a shared bunk room, you can hire a sleeping bag, allowing you to reduce the amount of gear you need to carry. If you've booked a private room, bedding is provided, so there's no need to bring or hire a sleeping bag.
7. When is the best time to walk the Hump Ridge Track?
The track is generally open from late October until mid to late April. Summer offers the warmest weather and longest days, while the shoulder seasons are quieter but can bring colder temperatures and even snow on the higher sections.
8. Can you walk the Hump Ridge Track in winter?
No. The Hump Ridge Track is closed during winter, and the lodges do not operate outside the official walking season.
9. How much does the Hump Ridge Track cost?
The Hump Ridge Track is one of the most expensive Great Walks in New Zealand. However, the higher price reflects the premium lodge accommodation, upgraded facilities and unique services available on the track.
Pricing varies depending on the package you choose, including Freedom, Prime and Guided options. Each package offers a different level of inclusions, with higher-priced options providing additional comfort, services and support throughout the experience.
10. Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Bookings are essential and should be made well in advance, particularly for summer and holiday periods, as the lodges frequently sell out.
11. Is there mobile phone reception?
Mobile coverage is limited along most of the track. While you may receive reception at some higher points, you should not rely on having mobile service during your hike.
12. Are there showers on the Hump Ridge Track?
Yes. Unlike most Great Walks, both Okaka Lodge and Port Craig Lodge have hot showers, making the Hump Ridge Track one of the most comfortable multi-day hikes in New Zealand. Depending on the package you book, shower tokens may be included or available to purchase at the lodges. Each token provides five minutes of hot water, which is usually plenty of time to enjoy a warm shower after a day on the trail.
13. Can I do the Hump Ridge Track in reverse?
No. The track is designed to be walked in one direction, with bookings tied to your overnight lodge stays.
14. Are dogs allowed on the Hump Ridge Track?
No. Dogs are not permitted on the Hump Ridge Track.
15. Is the Hump Ridge Track worth it?
Absolutely. If you're looking for spectacular coastal and alpine scenery, comfortable lodges, fascinating history and a rewarding physical challenge, the Hump Ridge Track offers one of the most unique Great Walk experiences in New Zealand.
