Angelus Hut with Lake Angelus in the winterSabine Valley
The Travers-Sabine Circuit is a popular tramping route in Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand. The full circuit takes about five to six days, although many side-trips are possible for longer tramps.
The circuit involves both bush-walking and alpine passes. In bush areas, the tracks are well marked. Routes in alpine areas are marked with poles.
In Summer and Autumn (December to April) the circuit is accessible to anyone reasonably fit. During Winter and Spring (May to November), snowfall, especially in Alpine areas, make the route more technical, and appropriate skills, equipment and experience are needed. Some parts of the track are subject to flooding during heavy rain.
No permits are required to walk the route, but trampers should register at the National Park headquarters. Basic huts are available for overnight accommodation at regular intervals on the route, on a first-come, first-served basis. Fees are required for the huts, but there's no fee for the walk itself.
Typical itinerary
Day 1: From St. Arnaud, walk alongside Lake Rotoiti to Lake Head hut (2–3 hours). Continue up the Travers valley to John Tait Hut (about 5 hours from Lake Head).
Day 2: Continue up Travers Valley to Upper Travers Hut (3 hours)
Day 4: Continue down the Sabine Valley to the head of Lake Rotoroa and Sabine Hut (5 hours).
Day 5: From Sabine Hut climb Mt. Cedric to Lake Angelus (5–6 hours).
Day 6: From Lake Angelus, proceed along the Robert Ridge to the Mt. Robert car park (6–7 hours). Hitch a ride or walk back to St. Arnaud (1–2 hours).
In this itinerary, days 2 and 4 are half-day walks, and days 3 and 5 are less than full day. Experienced trampers can easily complete the circuit in five days.
Also, an alternative to Days 5-6 is to return via Howard and Speargrass Valleys (quicker and easier in bad weather, but less interesting).
Shorter circuits
2 Days: Lake Rotoiti, Travers Valley, Hukere Stream to Lake Angelus (Day 1). Exit via the Robert Ridge (day 2).
3 Days: Lake Rotoiti, Travers Valley, Hopeless Creek Hut (Day 1). Ascend through Sunset Saddle to Lake Angelus (Day 2). Exit via Robert Ridge (Day 3).
In New Zealand, long distance walking or hiking for at least one overnight stay is known as tramping. There are a number of walkways in New Zealand, however most of these are relatively short and can be walked in a day or less. Many are also an easy walk, with well formed footpaths. However, some tracks require an overnight stay either because of the rugged country or the length of the track.
The Sabine River is in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located in Nelson Lakes National Park.
The Travers River is in the South Island of New Zealand.
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Lake Rotoiti, previously also known as Lake Arthur, is a lake in the Tasman Region of New Zealand. It is a substantial mountain lake within the borders of Nelson Lakes National Park. The lake is fed by the Travers River, water from the lake flows into the Buller River. The lake is surrounded by beech forest and is 82 metres (269 ft) deep. Saint Arnaud is a small community at the northern end of the lake.
Mount Kilimanjaro (/ˌkɪlɪmənˈdʒɑːroʊ/) is a dormant volcano 5,895 meters above sea level in the United Republic of Tanzania.
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Maniniaro / Angelus Peak is a mountain in Nelson Lakes National Park, near the northwestern extent of New Zealand's main divide. Although it is not the tallest peak in the Angelus Ridge or the wider Travers Range, Maniniaro remains a popular tramping destination and is significant to the Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō iwi, who claim mana whenua within the area. According to Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō beliefs, the mountain is intrinsically linked with nearby Rotomaninitua / Lake Angelus, with the two both said to represent the footprints of the iwi's ancestors as they embarked on their journey back to Hawaiki. It is also near both major lakes of the national park, being roughly 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the southern ends of both Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa.
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