Arthurs Pass Walking and Climbing

The extensive range of walks and climbs in Arthur's Pass National Park range from easy to challenging. See the DOC website. A new Arthurs Pass Walkway follows the footsteps of Arthur Dudley Dobson, the founder of the pass. It is 3.4km so allow about an hour and a half each way.

Goat Pass is the next pass to the north of Arthurs Pass and it is accessed from Klondyke Corner on the Eastern side or the footbridge at Aickens Corner on the West. It is famous as the mountain running track that forms part of the annual "Coast to Coast' Race, a run, kayak, and cycle from the West to East Coast. Easily traversed in a day by fit folk, there are a couple of huts for those wanting to take it slower.

To the South side of Arthur's Pass, the park provides climbing, tramping and exploring opportunities in the Upper Waimakariri reaches and beyond. Another formerly popular race which took place directly above Arthur's Pass township was the 'Avalanche PeakChallenge" which used to bring out some competitive characters from the mountaineering and off road running crowds but has taken a hiatus.

The iconic Mt Rolleston is accepted as the standard for a first big peak bagged by young Canterbury Mountaineers, a stepping stone taken early in the careers of some of New Zealand's famous mountaineers.

On High Canvas Print by Mike Glover

Image Credit: Mount Rolleston, circa 1893, Christchurch, by Petrus van der Velden. Gift of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, 1936. Te Papa (1936-0012-116) and NZPlaces, Avalanche Peak.