Bealey Spur

Bealey Spur

Bealey Spur
4.5

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles46 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
15
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0

CoeliacAdventurer
Brampton, UK193 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2020
Amazing walk! Starts off winding uphill through beautiful native forest, then out onto the grassy tops. Even from part way up you can get amazing views up and down the valley, with mountains in all directions. Carry on up across a bog and through more forest until you get to the Bealey Hut where you can stay overnight (check DOC website for payment/rules). There is a toilet here and drinking water from a tank, although they suggest you boil the water before drinking. You don't get good views from the hut, but if you have time I would recommend continuing on across the grassy clearing, through the forest and out onto the ridgeline at the top. There are good views from anywhere on this ridgeline, but for the best views, keep going up until you get to the big stone cairn. Breathtaking 360 degree views from up there! Some people continued their walk further along the ridge from that point, but as it was very cold and windy, I headed back down the same way I came.

This is a long walk (5-6 hours) which does go quite steeply uphill, so be aware of that when planning your day. I would recommend proper sturdy hiking boots to save your feet and prevent twisted ankles. The path was also quite wet in several areas when I went, so keep that in mind.
Written 5 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anna
Christchurch, New Zealand102 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Friends
We thought we would see fairy’s flying around it was so magical.
Amazing nature to find and stunning views on clear day.
We went 1km past hut but be aware on day light during the shorter days
Written 8 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RandiFayeC
Longwood, FL984 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Hiked here with our fantastic Backroads group. We made it the musterers hut - had a nice picnic, chatted with lovely ladies (seniors) from Australia and decided to stop there. The last mile is really steep but we heard the views were awesome.
It was very sunny - make sure you have sunscreen.
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

trekrider2300
Raleigh, NC67 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2017 • Couples
We went up to the top - plan on 3-3.5 hours going up (almost always up), 2-2.5 hours back. Absolutely incredible scenery and a nice sense of accomplishment. At the top saw some Kea and one landed about 10 feet from us and kept us company for about 10 minutes. Strenuous hike but well worth it!
Written 26 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Naina-Damani
London, UK990 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Passing through the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps from Arthur’s Pass which offers a fantastic combination of mountains, weaving rivers and beech forest.
Written 27 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mary B
Brisbane, Australia171 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Couples
This track came highly recommended by the staff at the i-site centre - and wow it did not disappoint! About an hour in, we broke through the forest and out onto the ridge, and were met with stunning views of the valleys below.

It was a moderate uphill walk through mature forest, and proper footwear is definitely recommended if you plan to do it during the winter months as the tracks becomes icy and wet.
Written 20 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CarolDM1900
Montpelier, VT3,324 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Couples
I have a NZ "tramping" book that describes this track as "a good choice when northwesterly winds are bringing rain to Arthur's Pass" and "more gradual than most of the alpine tracks" near here. So it looked appealing when Avalanche Peak, which we'd planned to hike, was snowy and icy.

Omitted from the guide, however, is the fact that the Bealey Spur Track rises through swampy forest, with a few sections that are basically running streams, and a jumble of slippery logs the only "dry" way to get you over the water. I use "dry" pretty lightly, considering that I fell into the water and muck twice, even while holding onto nearby trees, because the crossover logs were so slick with wet moss.

True, there were great views over the Waimakariri River Valley and beyond to the snowcapped mountains of the Polar Range. And the woods were oh-so-green in the way they can only be when there's lots of moisture to keep them that way. There were lovely dry parts at both the beginning and the end, and short sections of boardwalk here and there over the muck.

But mostly, you're on your own to find a way around the parts with standing or running water that present challenges to upright posture and, with it, dry clothing. And you need to know that going forward. We did not.

This is not a pleasant day walk; it's a pretty tough slog, and you're likely to get wet before you reach the higher and dryer sections with their expansive views from an exposed knoll about 3.5 km into the walk. Is it worth it? Probably. Just know what you're potentially getting yourself into. If you experience better conditions than we did, good.

Bottom line: Wet or dry, warm or cold, this is a beautiful part of New Zealand. And any day spent here, in any conditions, is still a pretty good one.
Written 24 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nick99
Reading, UK111 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2017 • Couples
We did this walk on a hot day and were very grateful for the shade on much of it. It's a steady climb but not too steep. Underfoot it can be tricky in some places with loose rocks or tree roots. The woodland and bush is delightful to walk through and the views looking out on the river valley and surrounding mountains is stunning. I didn't think the remaining part of the walk, from the main viewpoint up to the hut, added anything worthwhile, unless you're going all the way to the summit, I guess.
Written 6 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Matthew M
27 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017 • Couples
Stunning views over the valley in all directions. The summit is only 30mins past the hut, well worth the extra bit if you have the energy!
Written 2 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rachel F
London, UK196 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017
When the rest of Arthur's Pass is being rained on, you can get lucky with the weather at Bealey Spur. We took this trek because Avalanche Peak was too soggy and slippery, and once we'd driven a few kilometres to this track, we found ourselves in sunshine. This is a good 4 hours return, so leave enough time and take plenty of water with you. Much of the way is muddy, so be prepared and use proper hiking boots. Keep your eyes on the ground as you ascend through the bush. The ground is a mass of exposed tree roots and you'll need to be on the alert to make sure you don't trip. In a couple of places, you'll have to cross patches of bog on wooden logs. It's fun, but I wouldn't fancy doing it on a rainy day! Once you emerge above the bushline, you'll be rewarded with gorgeous views across the Southern Alps. The track itself is not too steep, so it's a good option for walkers who prefer a gentler gradient.
Written 22 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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BEALEY SPUR (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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