Last Updated on: 13 May 2025

Bealey Spur Track, Insider Tips, Maps & Planning

Why walk the Bealey Spur Track?

I first walked the Bealey Spur Track after a stormy week on the West Coast. Arthur’s Pass was still cloaked in drizzle, but just a few kilometres east, the skies broke open above Bealey Spur. I’d heard it was an easier alpine track the sort locals recommend when you want the drama without the danger  and they were right. Within an hour I’d shed my jacket, met a kea trying to dismantle someone’s car, and found myself walking among moss-draped trees and glinting tarns with no one else in sight.

What makes Bealey Spur special is its balance: wild, but accessible. You climb just high enough to catch Southern Alps views, yet remain low enough to avoid the worst of the weather and exposure. It’s long enough to feel like an adventure but gentle enough for newer trampers.

Walking specialist Sandra says:

“Bealey Spur is perfect for building confidence in the hills. It’s varied, scenic, and less harsh than Arthur’s Pass village tracks a real ‘best-kept secret’ for newer trampers.”

🥾 Walk Overview

Location: Bealey Spur Track, Arthur’s Pass
Nearest town: Arthur’s Pass Village (15 min drive)
Distance: 6 km one way (12 km return)
Time required: 3–5 hours return (DOC time: 2.5 hr one way)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Track type: Out-and-back
Dog-friendly: No (National Park restrictions)
Walk Type: Out-and-back
Kid-friendly: Yes – for confident walkers aged 10+
Wheelchair accessible: No
Toilets nearby: Yes – car park and Bealey Spur Hut
Best time to go: Summer to autumn (Dec–April); mornings for best light and fewer crowds
Are drones allowed? No – National Park rules
Are bikes allowed? No

Map location and directions

🚗 Getting There

  • Car park location: Start of Cloudesley Road, off SH73
  • Parking availability: Gravel car park for 8–10 cars at the bottom of Cloudesley Road. No parking at the turning circle at the top of the road (adds 10 minutes to your walk). No shade.
  • Drive times:
    • Christchurch to trailhead: ~2 hours
    • Hokitika to trailhead: ~1.5 hours
    • Arthur’s Pass Village: 15 minutes
  • Public transport: Closest stop is Arthur’s Pass Village via InterCity or West Coast Shuttle. Hitch or taxi to the trailhead required.
  • Entry fees / permits required: None.
  • Signage: Well signposted from SH73 and at the start of the track.

🥾 Track Details

  • Track surface: Mix of forest trail, dirt, gravel, tussock, and boardwalks. Some boggy sections.
  • Gradient: Gradual by Arthur’s Pass standards — steady uphill with short steeper patches.
  • Boardwalks: Several, including rustic half-log styles. Can be very slippery after rain or frost.
  • Track condition: Generally good, but muddy after rain and boggy near the hut. Frozen ground in winter.
  • Elevation gain: Around 550 metres
  • Track classification: DOC rates it as an easy tramping track — well marked, suitable for reasonably fit beginners.
  • Trail extension (advanced only): Experienced trampers can continue beyond the hut to Pt 1545 on Hut Spur. There’s no marked track. It’s exposed, boggy, and navigation is essential. Alpine gear, map, GPS, and PLB required.

🌿 What You'll See

  • Red-flowering pirirangi (mistletoe) in summer
  • Beech forest and manuka with lichen-draped branches
  • Cliff-edge views over Bruce Stream (watch kids)
  • Tarns sparkling near the ridge line
  • Boardwalks across frozen alpine bogs
  • Massive vistas of the Waimakariri and Bealey Rivers, Mt Bruce, Klondyke Corner
  • Snow-capped Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana
  • Bealey Spur Hut (built 1925, former mustering hut)
  • Kea, riflemen, tomtits – and on one occasion, a wild pig bolting across the track!

📍 Walk Directions

  1. Start at the Bealey Spur car park at the bottom of Cloudesley Road (well signposted off SH73). The road up is steep and unsealed — no parking allowed at the top.
  2. Walk 10 minutes up Cloudesley Road, a gravel vehicle track that leads to the official DOC sign marking the trailhead. This stretch is uphill but short — consider it your warm-up.
  3. From the track start, enter a beautiful section of mountain-beech forest. The path is wide and well-formed with a moderate uphill gradient. You’ll soon start to notice red-flowering mistletoe (pirirangi) in summer, and lichen hanging like streamers from the branches.
  4. Around 20–30 minutes in, you’ll reach the first of several boardwalks — some traditional timber, others rustic half-log planks. Take care after rain or frost — they can be slick!
  5. As you climb, the forest opens occasionally, offering glimpses across to Mt Bruce. About 30–40 minutes in, you’ll come close to a steep drop-off above Bruce Stream — a dramatic viewpoint and excellent photo stop, but watch young walkers here.
  6. Continue gently climbing as the terrain transitions to open tussock grassland and manuka scrub. This is where the views start to really open up — with the Waimakariri and Bealey Rivers sprawling below, and the Southern Alps stretching out ahead.
  7. At around the 1-hour mark, you’ll encounter another boardwalk across an often-boggy section. Look right, and you’ll spot a large tarn glistening in the distance. If it’s frosty, this whole area might be frozen — beautiful, but slippery.
  8. From here, the trail becomes more exposed, with fewer trees and windy conditions likely. Push on through the subalpine scrub, keeping an eye out for kea overhead or riflemen flitting through the low branches.
  9. After roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours, you’ll reach Bealey Spur Hut, a bright green 1925 mustering hut nestled just on the edge of the bush. Inside, you’ll find six old-school sling bunks, graffiti-covered walls, and a DOC info panel explaining its fascinating sheep-farming past. There’s also a long-drop toilet out the back.
  10. Optional extension: If you’re experienced and well-equipped, continue past the hut up onto Hut Spur toward Pt 1545. There is no marked track, and conditions can be boggy, steep, and exposed. Only attempt in good weather with appropriate gear and navigation tools.
  11. When ready, return via the same route. The downhill is easier on the lungs but can be tough on the knees — watch for slippery patches, and give way to uphill walkers.

Estimated timings:

  • 1 hr 40 mins – fit walkers
  • 2.5 hrs – DOC guideline for average pace
  • 3–4 hrs return for most people
  • 5 hrs+ with lunch and photo breaks, or extension to Pt 1545

🧽 Navigation & Safety

  • Phone reception: Patchy. Available at high points, limited in the bush.
  • Map needed? Not for main track. Optional DOC map or offline GPS helpful for extensions.
  • Common wrong turns: Some false paths near hut — stick to orange markers.
  • Weather considerations: Exposed tops can be extremely cold and windy — even on sunny days. Avoid Hut Spur in poor visibility.
  • Cliff caution: One steep drop near a viewpoint over Bruce Stream. Keep children close.
  • Winter conditions: Tarns and bogs can freeze solid. Trail remains walkable with care, but icy sections possible.
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🧲 What to Bring

  • Footwear: Tramping boots or sturdy trail shoes — waterproof recommended
  • Water: 1–2L – no reliable water sources on the track
  • Food: Snacks or lunch (perfect hut stop)
  • Clothing: Warm layers, windproof outer, hat and gloves – yes, even in summer!
  • Other essentials: Sunscreen, insect repellent, first aid kit, rubbish bag (take it all out!)
  • Optional: Camera, walking poles, sleeping mat if staying in hut, PLB and nav tools for Hut Spur

🍽 Nearby Facilities

  • Closest café: Wobbly Kea Café & Bar – great coffee, pies and post-hike burgers
  • Picnic spots: Porch at Bealey Spur Hut; some clearings with views on the track
  • Playgrounds/family extras: Arthur’s Pass DOC Visitor Centre and nearby short nature walks
  • Accommodation nearby:
    • Bealey Hotel
    • Arthur’s Pass Alpine Motel
    • DOC campsites (e.g., Klondyke Corner)

📍 Useful Links

👤 My Experience on This Walk

  • Date of walk: June 2024
  • Weather: Cold, clear and breezy — classic alpine chill
  • Track condition: Frozen bogs, dry in forest, muddy in a few spots
  • What I loved most: The moment the track opens to full alpine views — and the solitude before the crowds arrived. The frost-covered boardwalks sparkled like glitter.
  • Unexpected moment: A massive wild pig burst across the path — blending in perfectly with the tussock until it moved. Heart skipped a beat.
  • Top tips: Start early. Wear layers. Carry out your rubbish and tidy up after others if you can. Oh, and don’t forget to sign the hut book — it’s a time capsule.

✅ Verified Walker Testimonials

Name: Mitchell L. City/Country: Wellington, NZ Walk Date: January 2025

“Bealey Spur was the highlight of our South Island roadie. It was just enough challenge for our group without being punishing, and the views were jaw-dropping. We even saw a pair of kea trying to dismantle someone’s walking pole. Classic!”

Name: Sabrina T. City/Country: Queenstown, NZ Walk Date: May 2024

“The hut bunks were surprisingly comfortable — and the view of the tarns on the way down was stunning. Just bring warm socks and boots – it gets boggy!”

Name: Mandeep W. City/Country: Sydney, AUS Walk Date: June 2023

“We didn’t realise how windy it would get above the bush line — absolutely stunning views, but we had to turn back before Pt 1545 because we were underdressed. Lesson learned: alpine = layers.”

🖋️ Final Thoughts

What stood out the most: The sheer variety packed into a few hours – forest, boardwalks, tarns, and that historic hut. It’s like tramping’s greatest hits on fast-forward.

Who I’d recommend it for: New walkers wanting an achievable alpine experience, or seasoned hikers after a lighter day with top-tier views.

Would I do it again? Absolutely — and next time, I’m taking friends. This one’s too good not to share.

What I’d do differently next time: Bring gloves earlier in the season, take more time at the hut, and carry a bigger bag for trail rubbish.

See more of my walks in Canterbury