Glacier-scoured and eroded by water, the unique alpine karst landforms of the Mt Owen massif are unusual and spectacular. At 1875m Mt Owen is the highest peak in Kahurangi National Park and on a fine day the views from this peak spread as far as the eye can see.

Northern access

From Tapawera (62 km from Nelson) follow the signposts west to the Wangapeka Valley. At the Dart River is a concrete ford and footbridge. The ford can become impassable after heavy rain. After crossing the ford continue 7 km up the valley to Prices Clearing where there is an information kiosk with public telephone and intentions book. Continue past the Rolling Junction (the start of the Wangapeka Track) and on to Courthouse Flat. Toilets, water and camping sites are here.

Courthouse Flat to Granity Pass hut, 5 hours

There are two options for the first section of this track. Both are well signposted and take a similar amount of time. The first option is to walk up the ridge between Granity and Blue Creeks - this is a very open track that can be hot on a summer's day. Ensure you carry plenty of drinking water.

The other option is to walk up Blue Creek Track taking you past old gold mining relics and workings. The track follows Blue Creek for approximately 20 minutes then heads up through beech forest and joins the other track.

Where these tracks join there is a climb to a clearing offering views to the north and west. Cross the clearing and head down through the forest to a saddle. The next section, called The Staircase' descends steeply before sidling around marble bluffs and down into Blue Creek. On the right is Taplins Shelter, an old prospectors slab hut - well worth a look. From here it is not long to Granity Pass Hut - follow up the usually dry marble creek bed through sub-alpine vegetation to the hut situated on a terrace on the true right bank of the stream.

Granity Pass Hut (category 3) has 6 bunks. Please conserve heating fuel as wood is scarce in this area. There are limited sites in the tussock around the hut for camping.

Granity Pass Hut to Mt Owen (7 hours return)

From Granity Pass hut follow the route through a large area of tussock grassland. Please note there are no track markers from this point onwards. Keep to the east of Sentinal Hill, and then walk along a saddle past several small tarns (an excellent campsite in fine weather). From the other side of this saddle, a series of rock cairns lead uphill through the glaciated marble landscape and alpine herb fields to the summit. This route will be difficult and dangerous to follow in snow, misty or bad weather. On a fine day and with good visibility the views are absolutely breathtaking - south to the Southern Alps and north to Golden and Tasman Bay's. Having a map is advantageous for identifying the landmarks as well as essential for navigation. Return to Granity Pass Hut the way you came.

Southern access

This is the most difficult approach to Mt Owen, challenging and requiring a high level of fitness and experience.

The Owen Valley East Road is accessed from State Highway 6,16km east of Murchison (near the Owen River Tavern). Follow this road for approximately 13 km until you get to the track signposted to Sunrise Peak.

Alternatively turn left down the side road to access the route to Branch Creek hut via Frying Pan Creek and Fyfe River.

The road crosses private land, please respect the property and leave gates as you find them. If you are planning to camp or driving up the road at night contact the landowners for permission (contact DOC St Arnaud for details).

Owen Valley East Road to Mt Owen summit (Sunrise Peak Route) 7 hours

The track crosses farmland for approximately 2km before entering the forest. The river is crossed several times before the track climbs steeply up Sunrise Ridge to the bushline. Please note: once you leave the Owen River there is no readily available water.

Billies Knob

From the saddle before The Staircase' (see Northern Access) there is an optional side trip up Billies Knob.

Ascending Billies Knob from Courthouse Flat (return) is a long day trip.

Alternatively from Billies Knob you can descend south to Granity Pass via a steep tussock gully to the bed of Blue Creek and Granity Pass hut. None of these routes are marked.

Lookout Range to Granity Pass Hut (8 hours)

From Kaka drive approximately 1.5 km southwest along Tadmor Glenhope Road until you reach the signpost for the Lookout Range. Walk Past farming sheds up to a forestry skid site just short of Hodgkinson Road end. From the roadend the track is well marked until Conical Hill (approximately 4 hours).

Continue southwest along the ridge about 1.5km Before turning northwest down the major spur. Cross the Dart River and follow an old deer trail north up to the main Lookout Range ridge. Sidle around the headwaters of the Owen River catchment to the saddle between Owen River and Granity Creek. There is a handwire to help you pass a tricky section of rock below the bluffs. Follow the markers through the scrub and head west to Granity Pass hut. From the roadend to Granity Pass hut will take a minimum of 8 hours.

Fyfe River Route to Branch Creek Hut, (roadend to hut 6-8 hours)