Mt Bealey (1,836 m) rises to the west above Arthur’s Pass village. Mt Bealey Route ascends the range to the tree line, where an unofficial route continues, allowing experienced hikers to reach the summit. Like several other landmarks in the area, Mt Bealey is named after Samuel Bealey (1821–1909), the third Superintendent of Canterbury Province.
| Details | |
| Length | 1.7 km to end of official route at tree line; 2.4 km from tree line to Mt Bealey summit; 3.8 km from Mt Bealey summit to Avalanche Peak summit |
| Time Required | 45 min-1 hr 30 min to end of official route at tree line; 1-2 hr from tree line to Mt Bealey summit; 2-3 hr from Mt Bealey summit to Avalanche Peak summit |
| Trail Type | Tramping track/unmarked route |
| Physical Difficulty | Hard |
| Uses | Walking and trail running |
| Start Elevation | 750 m |
| Max Elevation | 1836 m |
If any layers fail to load, try clearing your cache and refreshing the page.
Mt Bealey Route does not connect to any other official tracks. When conditions allow it, experienced hikers can continue north along the range to Avalanche Peak.
1 hr 45 min from Christchurch
Mt Bealey Route begins at the end of Mt Bealey Rd, which is on the left side of SH73, immediately before the one-way bridge over Rough Creek (if approaching from Christchurch).
The route begins at the forest edge and immediately ascends the mountain beech-clad valley side. The terrain is steep and rugged, featuring large step-ups, rocks, and tree roots, with the route ascending it via mix of zigzags and direct climbs.
Upon reaching the tree line at 1,340 m, you will have gained approximately 600 m of elevation over just 1.7 km. This marks the end of the official DOC route. Beyond this point, only a rough, unmarked route—worn by hikers—continues along the ridge through tussock and subalpine scrub. Before long, you will traverse sections of bare scree at the edge of a steep drop into Rough Creek valley on your right. From here, ascend the scree slopes to Point 1760, followed by a short but steep descent into a saddle. The route then climbs again along a narrow ridge with craggy bluffs on the right, leading up the final section to the summit.
On the return leg you have two options; return the way you came, or continue north along the range to Avalanche Peak (experienced and well-equipped hikers only; see below).
Mt Bealey to Avalanche Peak
Traversing the range between Mt Bealey and Avalanche Peak requires clear weather conditions and a high level of off-track experience.
Descending northwest from the summit of Mt Bealey, the first 1 km of the traverse is the most challenging and demands great caution. The ridge consists of a series of narrow, craggy peaks that jut like teeth, with loose rock and steep drop-offs on either side. In snow and ice conditions, a slip or fall here could be fatal. To avoid this exposed section, you may opt to descend into the basin on the western side of the ridge and sidle across the scree before rejoining the ridge at Point 1778.
Beyond this point, the ridge broadens and becomes more straightforward. Cross the summit of Lyell Peak (1,828 m) and continue toward Avalanche Peak, where you will connect with the official DOC Avalanche Peak Route (a poled track). From here, descend back to the valley floor via either the Avalanche Peak Track or Scotts Track (see map).
Mt Bealey is an alpine environment, so proper preparation and care should be made to ensure a safe trip. The route reaches a high elevation and is exposed above the tree line, so proper outdoor clothing is essential. You must always be prepared for freezing conditions and take extreme care if snow and ice and are present. The official DOC routes ends at the tree line, so you must have appropriate navigation skills is you plan on continuing to the summit. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you as there are no water sources on the way up.
See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.
Mt Bealey (1,836 m) rises to the west above Arthur’s Pass village. Mt Bealey Route ascends the range to the tree line, where an unofficial route continues, allowing experienced hikers to reach the summit. Like several other landmarks in the area, Mt Bealey is named after Samuel Bealey (1821–1909), the third Superintendent of Canterbury Province.
| Details | |
| Length | 1.7 km to end of official route at tree line; 2.4 km from tree line to Mt Bealey summit; 3.8 km from Mt Bealey summit to Avalanche Peak summit |
| Time Required | 45 min-1 hr 30 min to end of official route at tree line; 1-2 hr from tree line to Mt Bealey summit; 2-3 hr from Mt Bealey summit to Avalanche Peak summit |
| Trail Type | Tramping track/unmarked route |
| Physical Difficulty | Hard |
| Uses | Walking and trail running |
| Start Elevation | 750 m |
| Max Elevation | 1836 m |
20 min from Springs Junction
Mt Bealey Route begins at the end of Mt Bealey Rd, which is on the left side of SH73, immediately before the one-way bridge over Rough Creek (if approaching from Christchurch).
The route begins at the forest edge and immediately ascends the mountain beech-clad valley side. The terrain is steep and rugged, featuring large step-ups, rocks, and tree roots, with the route ascending it via mix of zigzags and direct climbs.
Upon reaching the tree line at 1,340 m, you will have gained approximately 600 m of elevation over just 1.7 km. This marks the end of the official DOC route. Beyond this point, only a rough, unmarked route—worn by hikers—continues along the ridge through tussock and subalpine scrub. Before long, you will traverse sections of bare scree at the edge of a steep drop into Rough Creek valley on your right. From here, ascend the scree slopes to Point 1760, followed by a short but steep descent into a saddle. The route then climbs again along a narrow ridge with craggy bluffs on the right, leading up the final section to the summit.
On the return leg you have two options; return the way you came, or continue north along the range to Avalanche Peak (experienced and well-equipped hikers only; see below).
Traversing the range between Mt Bealey and Avalanche Peak requires clear weather conditions and a high level of off-track experience.
Descending northwest from the summit of Mt Bealey, the first 1 km of the traverse is the most challenging and demands great caution. The ridge consists of a series of narrow, craggy peaks that jut like teeth, with loose rock and steep drop-offs on either side. In snow and ice conditions, a slip or fall here could be fatal. To avoid this exposed section, you may opt to descend into the basin on the western side of the ridge and sidle across the scree before rejoining the ridge at Point 1778.
Beyond this point, the ridge broadens and becomes more straightforward. Cross the summit of Lyell Peak (1,828 m) and continue toward Avalanche Peak, where you will connect with the official DOC Avalanche Peak Route (a poled track). From here, descend back to the valley floor via either the Avalanche Peak Track or Scotts Track (see map).
Mt Bealey is an alpine environment, so proper preparation and caution are essential for a safe trip. The route reaches high elevations and is fully exposed above the tree line, making appropriate outdoor clothing crucial. Always be prepared for freezing conditions, and exercise extreme caution if snow or ice are present. The official DOC route ends at the tree line, so if you plan to continue to the summit, you must have strong navigation skills and be comfortable with off-route travel. Additionally, there are no water sources along the route, so ensure you carry enough water for the entire journey.
See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.
Mt Bealey Route does not connect to any other official tracks. When conditions allow it, experienced hikers can continue north along the range to Avalanche Peak.
Updated 27 January 2025