Mt Bruce in Arthur’s Pass

Posted By: Michal 14.3.2025

Mt Bruce is a moderate day trip in Arthur’s Pass, perfect for those looking to progress beyond marked tracks into more adventurous – yet still relatively safe and straightforward – terrain.

The “traditional” route to Mt Bruce follows the track from Bealey Hut towards Lagoon Saddle Huts, turning south or southeast towards the summit at some point along the way. As long as you keep heading uphill, there’s little chance of going wrong.

However, I’ve found an alternative route that I now prefer. It follows a semi-marked track starting near the base of a spur on the true right of a creek draining the saddle between Mt Bruce and pt1672 into the Harper River. This route adds about 200 metres of elevation gain (a free bonus!) and leads through beautiful beech forest along a faint track – likely a mix of deer trails and an old, abandoned track (maybe a trapping line?). A few old cuttings suggest the track was once maintained, but the forest is so open that no further clearing is really needed.

Near the 1300m contour, just before the bushline, the ridge steepens significantly. It’s best to leave the forest here and sidle right before continuing directly to the summit.

For the descent, the most enjoyable route follows the southern ridge before dropping onto a scree slope when possible. Run towards the creek draining the saddle between Mt Bruce and pt1672 on the eastern side. This valley has some pine trees that could do with removal. Following the creek downstream leads to an obvious marked track, which in February 2025 was fairly overgrown with plenty of windfall. However, the track’s condition improved as we progressed, and from Broad Stream onwards, it was in excellent shape.

The only drawback is that access through Wilderness Lodge land requires permission. Without it, you’ll need to detour about 2 km via the river and road – just think of it as another bonus!

Stats: 17 km, 5 h 50 min, 1180 m ascent (the route on NZ TopoMap, download below)

Participants: Michal Klajban (photos, scribe, GPX), Koid

Tramped on 2nd February 2025.

Photos

Map

Total distance: 18818 m
Max elevation: 1428 m
Min elevation: 637 m

Download file: GPX-hikingisgood-com-nz-2025-Mt_Bruce_with_Koid.gpx

Michal

I lived a pretty ordinary life for a while. I did my studies, my second studies, my third studies, my first job, my second job, and my third job. I wasn’t really sure what’s going on so, in 2014, I left my home country (Czechia) to learn about the world. I’m still not sure what’s going on but I enjoy it much more. I lived in a few countries before settling in New Zealand.