Only a tiny part of the Greenstone and Caples Tracks lie within Mount Aspiring National Park, but they are still regarded as some of New Zealand’s major walks. The tracks follow the Caples and Greenstone River valleys and there is an option of combining one of the two tracks with the Routeburn Track.
Although the Greenstone and Caples Tracks are two separate walks, they are often combined to make a loop (50km, 4–5 days).
Info & Track/Backpacker Express and Glenorchy Journeys run shuttle buses to the track from Glenorchy.
Greenstone Road End to Upper Caples Hut (14km, 4–6 hours)
The track follows the Caples River to Upper Caples Hut, passing Mid Caples Hut after 2½ hours.
Upper Caples Hut to McKellar Hut (10.5km, 6–8 hours)
The track becomes rougher as it climbs through beech forest and crosses the McKellar Saddle before a steep descent to Lake McKellar and McKellar Hut.
McKellar Hut to Mid Greenstone Hut (13km, 4–6 hours)
This section is a relatively easy walk along the Greenstone River valley.
Mid Greenstone Hut to Road End (14.5km, 4–6½ hours)
The final stretch of the Greenstone Track follows the Greenstone River past Sly Burn Hut and through a long narrow gorge. After the junction with the Caples River, it’s just a short walk to the road end.