Greenstone and Caples Tracks
New Zealand
After once again crossing the main divide of the Southern Alps, taking in stunning views of small alpine lakes and jagged snow capped mountains, the route then traverses the densely forested Greenstone and Caples valleys.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Greenstone and Caples Tracks
Welcome to the trailhead of the Greenstone and Caples Tracks. Here, you embark on a 61-kilometer loop through the backcountry of Fiordland National Park, traversing lush beech forests, expansive tussock flats, and challenging…
Listen in the app2The Caples River Ascent
Beginning up the Caples Valley, the track intimately follows the Caples River, frequently darting in and out of the dense Southern Beech forest. This environment is characterized by its hydrological volatility. …
Listen in the app3McKellar Saddle
The ascent to McKellar Saddle represents the physiological crux of the loop. This steep, demanding climb culminates in an exposed subalpine environment. …
Listen in the app4Lake McKellar and the Junction
Descending from the saddle, the track passes Lake McKellar, a serene alpine body of water. Nearby is the junction connecting to the famous Routeburn Track. …
Listen in the app5The Greenstone Tussock Flats
Entering the Greenstone Valley proper, the geography alters significantly. Unlike the narrow Caples, the Greenstone is characterized by broad, sweeping expanses of open grass and tussock flats. …
Listen in the app6The Gorge Landslide and Steel Creek
Midway down the Greenstone, the track encounters a significant geological obstacle: a massive historical landslide that has created a localized gorge. This chaotic jumble of debris forced the river into a narrow, turbulent…
Listen in the app7Slip Flat and the Final Gorge
Approaching Slip Flat, the Greenstone Valley narrows sharply once more, entering a long, dramatic gorge section before its confluence. The steep walls here channel the river's energy, creating deep, dark pools. …
Listen in the app8Greenstone and Caples Tracks
As you emerge from the bush, completing the 61-kilometer circuit, reflect on the physical and historical breadth of the terrain you have traversed. From the deep beech forests of Caples to the expansive flats of the Greenstone,…
Listen in the app
What is Greenstone and Caples Tracks?
Greenstone and Caples Tracks is a place in New Zealand with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | -44.9355, 168.3448 |
| Last updated |