THE REES DART TRACK

INCLUDING A SIDE TRIP TO CASCADE SADDLE

A technical alternative to the popular Routeburn Track through impressive alpine valleys

Starting near Glenorchy, the Rees Dart heads up the Rees valley alongside the Rees River and returns via the Dart Valley alongside the Dart river. The two river valleys are relatively accessible offer some of the very best scenery in the country with east to moderate terrain most of the way. The Rees Saddle gets you above the tree line and into stunning alpine terrain and spending an extra night to do a side trip to the jaw dropping Cascade Saddle is highly recommended.

Summary

Time to complete

4-5 Days

Accommodation style

Back-country hut OR Camping

Track type

One way (Shuttles required)

Distance

80km

Difficulty

Easy-Medium

Bookings required

No, first come first served

Highlights

Marvel at the view atop the Rees saddle, -an alpine pass at 1470m elevation
Incredible river valleys and vibrant forest sections
Some fantastically equipped huts and campsites
Take a side trip to see the Cascade Saddle and see the Dart Glacier
A very good introduction to more technical hiking terrain

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Track info

Trip Guide

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All about the trail

The Rees-Dart is a track linking two river valleys by crossing over the Rees Saddle. The track starts and finishes nearby the famous Routeburn Track and has a reputation for being a longer and more technical version of it. the scenery is stunning throughout the entire trail and recently upgraded huts (All except Daleys Flat) give trampers a bit of comfort along the way. The forests are plentiful and just as stunning as those found on the Routeburn, the Rees Saddle rivals the Harris Saddle found on the Milford Track and the extended length spent on the trail really allows you to immerse yourself in nature and feel like you’ve been on an epic journey.

Cascade Saddle is a common side trip with many spending an extra night at Dart Hut and having been there I really believe it’s not to be missed. It’s absolutely jaw dropping and definitely the most impressive mountain saddle I have come across. Do try and accommodate this and I guarantee you will not regret it.

Safety Note: The various stream crossings are easy to cross in dry weather, however they can become treacherous during high snow melt and heavy rain and so do make sure you are confident crossing streams and knowing when you should wait for levels to drop. Budget an extra day if there is heavy rain on the forecast.

Track condition
-Mostly easy-moderate terrain in fair weather. Mostly great walk quality besides the boggy muddy creek section.
-Many small stream crossings, larger flows during snow melt and heavy rain

Optionals
-Side trip to Cascade Saddle! This is the easier and safer route up to the saddle and a must-go in my opinion
-Many other opportunities to explore from Rees Saddle up Snowy Creek

Getting there

The track is a one way track that is typically walked starting on the Rees side and so track transport needs to be arranged to and from the trail in advance and is recommended unless you have a 4WD vehicle with good clearance. There are many shuttle companies operating to both ends of the trail and so you must find an option that suits your trip. Some people decide to walk to Paradise (extra 2 hours) and hitch back to Glenorchy.

Trail start location: Muddy Creek Carpark

Trail finish location: Chinamans Carpark

Sleep

-Huts:

The huts are a combination of modern and old with great facilities. Flush toilets (except during winter) and cleaning equipment for dishes etc generally provided inside with wood burners for cold nights.

-Camping:

Restrictions in the Rees Saddle area however good campsites at each hut and up towards Cascade saddle there are many spots.

-Booking:

No bookings required, first come first served.

-Back-country hut pass:

Can be used May-September only.

What To Take

As with the rest of the southern alps, the weather here is very unpredictable given its geographic location. Wet weather gear and warm layers are a must all year round. This particular track is prone to heavy rainfall making would be small creek crossings impassible so budget an extra days food and hut ticketts in case you have to spend an extra night at one of the huts.

Summer | Example packing list

Spring + Autnum | Example packing list

Winter Hiking

A popular winter route with avalanche danger at many locations along the track. Check in with DOC before setting out during winter.

Website And Other Links

Department of conservation website | Aspiring National Park Weather

Elevation Profile

Day 1 | Muddy Creek to Shelter Rock Hut

19km | 5-7 Hour

3-4hr | Park Boundary
Starting at the carpark the track begins on a 4WD track with frequent small stream crossings. Eventually a walking track will veer off to the right with the 4WD track going across the Rees River. If the river levels are safe to cross here you will have a much better time taking the 4WD track most of the way to the park boundary compared to the walking track. The walking track goes through many bogs which even during the dry summer period were a pain plus it also goes up and down the hillside frequently. If you aren’t confident with river crossings you probably shouldn’t be doing this hike in the first place.

2-3hr | Shelter Rock Hut
The Park boundary is eventually met and from here it’s a much nicer experience. The mostly forested track makes its way up the valley and it a fairly reasonable gradient the entire way. There are many side streams which are great spots to refill water bottles.

Optional
-Take the 4WD track if you have nice weather and low river levels!

Day 2 | Shelter Rock Hut to Dart Hut

10km | 4-5 Hours

1.5-2.5hr | Rees Saddle
The track heads up the valley alongside the Rees River at a reasonable gradient until a final small but steep section is met which takes you up to the saddle. Hike 5-10 mins extra to one of the local peaks to get a more expansive view over the surrounding valleys.

2.5-3hr | Dart Hut
After the saddle, the track heads down to snowy creek bridge with some steep and technical sections. once the bridge is met, the track climbs up the other side of the valley before eventually dropping steeply down towards Dart Hut. The track is deceptively hard-going and although it’s only a 10km day, it still felt like a reasonable effort with a heavy pack on our backs.

Options/Tips:
-There is a fantastic swimming hole and natural shower under the bridge next to Dart Hut.
-If you don’t have time to do a separate day trip to Cascade Saddle, hiking up to the base of the glacier with a day pack is easy going and well worth the effort.

Day 3 | Cascade Saddle Day Trip (optional)

12km | 6-8 Hours

Start early and head back towards the Rees Saddle and take the turn off to Cascade Saddle. The track is well worn and marked with poles the entire way, following the Dart river all the way to the base of the glacier (2-2.5hr). From here it’s a short but steep climb up to the cascade saddle (1-1.5hr). Allow yourself some time to explore the saddle a bit and have lunch and return to Dart Hut the same way.

Optionals - 1-2hr return
-Camping overnight at Cascade saddle has been popular however the Kea here are ripping peoples tents up and causing sleepless nights so this is no longer recommended
-Continue up to the cascade saddle highpoint if you have the time and energy (1.5-2hr return)

Day 4 | Dart Hut to Daleys Flat Hut

18km | 5-7 Hours

With the alpine sections out the way, the last two days are spent in lush forests and open river flats. It’s fairly easy going the whole way however there are many stream crossings that could be dangerous if river levels are up. They generally rise and fall quickly so just wait it out if in doubt.

Optionals - 10min return
-About half way there is a huge Rock Bivvy signposted on the trail. Definitely take the time to check this out as it’s quite a cool site. It can also be used as an emergency shelter for quite a few people if needed.

Day 5 | Daleys Flat Hut to Chinamans Carpark

16km | 5-7 Hours

The final section of the track is spent mostly under tree cover with just a few small open river flat sections. Note the NZTopo maps aren’t up to date for part of this section as some of the track was re-cut a few years back, but the track is very obvious the entire way and there are only a couple small steep “Goat track” sections with the rest having relatively gentle undulations except for steep hill near the very end.

Note for people catching the shuttle
-The walking time to get to the Chinamans Carpark will be about 30-45min less than day 4 total walking time