Walks in Hanmer Springs

By Jon Povey

Jon Povey runs www.peakbagging.co.nz, which is New Zealand’s first Peak Bagging list for walkers and trampers. You can read more about Walking New Zealand’s Mountains on his website.

With its shimmering hot pools, Hanmer Springs is one of New Zealand’s best thermal resort towns. It makes a great weekend escape at any time of year, and the therapeutic qualities of its thermal pools, mountain air, and spa services are renowned. However, few people know it is also home to Mt Isobel, and number of good hiking routes. Mt Isobel is a small mountain which towers over the resort town, and it is possible to hike to the summit on a heart pumping day walk.

Mt Isobel Day Walk:

Although Mt Isobel is home to an annual duathlon (the Mt Isobel Challenge), you can hike up it at a more leisurely pace if you wish. In winter, the mountain is often snow covered, so you would need suitable experience and equipment, but in summer, the main equipment you would need would be a good pair of hiking boots, 3 layers of clothing (including jacket), some food and water, and a map. Hiking poles are also recommended.

There are a couple of options for walking to the summit of Mt Isobel, but we recommend departing from Jack’s Pass. To get to Jacks Pass, drive up Clarence Valley Road (from Hanmer Springs). You will pass the first track to Mt Isobel which is marked by a sign at the junction with Pawsons Road. Continue up Clarence Valley Road until you reach Jacks Pass.

At Jacks Pass (which is marked by a green sign on the right hand side of the road) the track winds through some subalpine vegetation and up on to a ridge. The track undulates a little along the ridge, and you will then arrive at the head of a pretty stream valley. Up to your left the poled route guides the way up the steep scree slope. This can be a little tricky if you are not used to navigating scree slops, as it can be a little slippery, especially on the way down! Shortly after the top of the scree slope you will come to a signpost which indicates the way up to the Mt Isobel summit. In all it is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to the trig from Jacks Pass.

Short Walks in Hanmer Springs:

There are also a wide range of short walks available near the Hanmer Springs Village. These include:

Arboretum Track – 5 min return – Starts at the Arboretum Picnic Area and passes through exotic stands of spruce, Ponderosa pine and larch.

Nature Trail – 20 min return – Starts from Mullans Rd carpark.

Fir Trail – 30 min return – Starts from carpark on Mullans Road, accessed via McIntyre Road.

Woodland Walk – 1 hr return – Starts 1 km along Jollies Pass Road.

Camp Track – 45 min return – Starts from Jollies Pass Rd car-park

Dog Stream Reserve – 30 min one way – Starts the end of Cheltenham Street.

Forest Walk – 1 hr return – Begins 1 km along Jollies Pass Road.

Conical Hill Walk – 1 hr return – Starts at the northwest end of Woodland Walk and gradually climb through a stand of Douglas fir (planted in 1961). The walk meets Conical Hill Track and continues to the summit.