Hiking and tramping in Nelson Lakes National Park. Accommodation in St Arnaud NELSON LAKES MOTELS in the northernmost ranges of the Southern Alps

Walking, hiking & tramping in Nelson Lakes National Park

There are networks of short tracks exploring the forest, lake shore and glacial features of both lakes.

In the seven years we have owned and operated Nelson Lakes Motels and the Travers-Sabine Lodge we have never stopped exploring and experiencing the Park. When we first discovered Nelson Lakes National Park we were enchanted and have had a passion to share it ever since.

Richard has just completed a traverse of the St Arnaud Range from North to South, 41 ks across narrow ridges and peaks. It is the first and most northerly range that makes up our Southern Alps. In the Spring we continued our exploration by visiting new valleys and passes deep in the Park so we could pass on help and advice to those trampers that want a wee bit more.

Come enjoy our world, be enchanted.

Lake Rotoiti short walks

Explore the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project. The wheelchair-accessible Bellbird Walk leads into Honeydew Walk. Hear korimako / bellbirds and tui on those walks.

Anglers Walk - This walk, starting from the Buller River Bridge on Mount Robert Road, leads to some good fishing spots along the northern riverbank.

There are many longer walks and alpine tramping trips. The most popular are the Travers - Sabine Circuit and the trip up to Lake Angelus, a beautiful alpine lake. In Summer these tracks are suitable for parties of average fitness and skill, in Winter more experience is required.

Please browse through the photos below of some of our tramping trips.

Mt. Hopeless & Sunset Saddle :

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Waiau Pass, D'Urville Flats & Mt. Mahanga:

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St Arnaud Range:

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Lewis Pass to St Arnaud :

Richard and Yvonne walked home from Lewis Pass in early November, over Ada Pass, 3 Tarn Pass, D'Urville Pass, Thompson Pass, Wairau Pass and Travers Saddle.

5 days, 1 day off in the sun at blue Lake, the only other trampers were at Blue Lake.