Angelus Hut via Speargrass Track and Speargrass Creek Route

From Mt Robert car park, zigzag up Pinchgut Track up to Relax Shelter which is just above the bush line and a good decision point for assessing the weather conditions further up the ridge. Soon afterwards, the track comes to a junction with Paddys Track. Continue straight ahead to continue or take a left here to reach Bushline Hut if the weather isn’t looking good. A great alternative for a three-day tramp is to take Paddy’s track up to Bushline Hut for the first night, and then continue to Robert Ridge the next morning. The route then follows a wide ridge which you’ll travel along quickly to Julius Summit (1794 m). From here the route has some sharp and rocky sections. Take care here in cold conditions as accidents frequently occur. It also takes most walkers longer than expected. Once you reach the junction with the Speargrass Creek Route, it’s only 30 min down to Angelus Hut. Follow the poles down to the lake and hut. There is no water along the route so remember to carry your own. Be prepared for snow and ice during winter and spring. Robert Ridge is very exposed and is subject to high winds and poor visibility at any time of year.

From the Mt Robert car park follow Speargrass Track to the Speargrass Creek Route junction (approximately 5 min before Speargrass Hut ) . This takes approximately 2 hr 30 min. Be prepared to get your feet wet as the track crosses the stream several times. Expect muddy sections. Above the hut, the track becomes a poled route with many unbridged stream crossings up Te Horowai/Speargrass Creek eventually intersecting with the Mt Robert Ridge Route. From here, follow the poles down to the lake and hut. This route is a better option in bad weather as it is less exposed to wind than Robert Ridge.

Angelus Hut (opens in browser) is a serviced hut with 28 bunks, heating, double glazing, a rain collection tank and long drop toilet. There is also space for camping outside the hut. Bookings are required all year. There are also huts along each of the tracks to Angelus, which are recommended as a first night destination to break up the tramp into 3 days. Speargrass Hut (opens in browser) is a serviced hut with 12 bunks, heating, double glazing, a rain collection tank and long drop toilet. There is also space for camping outside the hut. Bookings are not required – first come, first served. Bushline Hut (opens in browser) is a serviced hut with 14 bunks, heating, a rain collection tank and long drop toilet. There is also space for camping outside the hut. Bookings are required all year.

Both tracks start from Mount Robert carpark. From St Arnaud, follow SH 63 west for 2 km, then turn into Mount Robert Road. Follow this for 4.9 km to the car park at the end. Use this location in Google Maps to find your way there.

We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel

No dogs.