View up Greenstone Valley on a sunny day.

Greenstone and Caples tracks

Located in Greenstone and Caples Conservation Areas in the Otago region

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Introduction

The Caples and Greenstone tracks start from the car park at the end of Greenstone Road, 86 km from Queenstown, via Glenorchy. Alternatively, they can be started from Lake Howden outlet on the Routeburn Track.

The Caples and Greenstone Valleys are linked by McKellar Saddle, a sub-alpine pass, to make a moderate 4- day round trip. It is a moderately demanding tramp with some days averaging 6-7 hours of walking. A reasonable degree of fitness is required.

The Greenstone Valley is a wide, open valley with tussock flats and beech forest. In comparison, the Caples Valley is a narrower valley filled with forest interspersed with grassy clearings. Either of these tracks can be linked with the Routeburn Track, or they can be walked as a one way track starting or finishing either at the Divide or the Greenstone Shelter.

The superb diversity of natural features in this area is recognised internationally with the establishment of the Te Wāhipounamu-South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

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Stay safe in the outdoors

  1. Choose the right trip for you. Learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it.
  2. Understand the weather. Check weather forecasts. 
  3. Pack warm clothes and extra food. Check gear lists. 
  4. Share your plans and take ways to get help. Share directly or use the Outdoor Intentions form or Plan My Walk. Take a distress beacon. 
  5. Take care of yourself and each other.