Haast Pass, Blue Pools Walk
- Haast Pass/Tioripatea is on SH6, the road linking Wanaka and Haast.
An easy walk that starts at the car park just north of Muddy Creek and leads through silver beech to a viewing platform overlooking the pools at the mouth of Blue River. Large brown and rainbow trout can often be seen feeding in the pools.
It features a carefully maintained gravel path and boardwalks that wind through a native silver beech forest and lead to a swing bridge strung high above the Makarora River. The views back to the mountains of the Main Divide are absolutely breath-taking.
The track continues deep into the forest, with bellbird and tui calls echoing through the trees, to a series of crystal clear pools that have been carved out of the rocks by centuries of erosion.
The glacier-fed water in these deep pools is the colour of deep azure blue, and so clear that you can see right to the bottom, making the resident brown trout look like they are suspended in the air.
Track is well formed, with an even surface.
There may be steps or slopes·
Suitable for people of most abilities and fitness·
Stream and rivers crossings are bridged·
Walking shoes required·
Four self-registration campsites are provided along the Haast Highway and all have picnic tables, toilets and shelters. Camping along the highway is restricted to these areas. Fire places are provided, though, during extreme conditions, total fire bans are imposed. Camping fees should be put in the honesty boxes at each camping area or paid at the Makarora Visitor Centre.
- 1.5 km
- 0.5 hours
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