Bealey Spur Track
90 minutes up. Two enormous alpine river valleys below us.
A steady climb through the forest with some very big rewards.
Bealey Spur was a great winter family adventure for us.
The track felt really well maintained during our visit. We noticed plenty of newer-looking steps and track work, with a gradual uphill climb for much of the route through sheltered mountain beech forest.
There were a few muddy patches, but nothing we could not carefully navigate around while keeping our feet dry. Roots were a bigger constant, so even when the gradient felt comfortable we still needed to watch where we stepped.
As we gained elevation, the frost became heavier and more of the ground was frozen. Then the trees started opening and the valleys below us just kept getting bigger.
The full Bealey Spur Track and the walk we did are not the same distance.
We turned around at our high viewpoint rather than continuing all the way to Bealey Spur Hut.
Bealey Spur Hut
Viewpoint turnaround
The road west kept pulling us deeper into the snow.
Before we even started hiking, Arthur's Pass was putting on a show.
Park below, then walk up to the track.
DOC says the Bealey Spur car park sits off SH73 just past the Bealey Hotel, about 14 km south of Arthur's Pass village.
From the car park, walk up Cloudesley Road to the marked track start at the top.
Then the gradual climbing begins.
Most of the early climb felt surprisingly sheltered.
The track winds uphill beneath mountain beech, moss and roots before the bigger alpine views begin appearing.
We liked this section a lot. Even in winter, the forest gave the first part of the walk a completely different feeling from the exposed mountains waiting higher up.
Good track. Plenty of roots. A few mucky bits.
We noticed lots of newer-looking steps, gravel and obvious track work during our visit.
We found several mucky spots, but were able to work around them without soaking our shoes.
Roots cross the track frequently, so there was plenty of ground watching even when the climb felt gentle.
It was not brutally steep for us, but it does keep climbing for a long time.
The higher we went, the more winter showed up.
It was a clear day, but the temperature changed noticeably as we gained elevation.
We started seeing more frost beside the track and sections of frozen ground underfoot.
DOC warns that winter can bring snow higher on the track, plus wind and cold temperatures. Sturdy footwear with good grip is recommended.
There are real drop-offs beside this track.
We reached a section where the ground dropped sharply away and the views opened straight down toward the valley.
DOC specifically warns that the track comes close to a cliff overlooking Bruce Stream and says to take care with children.
We stayed on the formed track and kept everyone close around the exposed areas.
THE
ETERNAL UP.
Every time the track looked like it might flatten out, it seemed to find another little bit of uphill.
The views just kept getting bigger.
Every opening in the trees became another reason to stop and pull out the camera.
NOW THAT'S
A VIEW.
Braided rivers stretched through the valleys below us while snow-covered mountains filled almost every direction.
We could have continued. We decided not to rush it.
By the time we reached the viewpoint we had been aiming for, we had climbed for roughly 90 minutes.
We stopped, had a snack and spent some time looking over the Waimakariri and Bealey river valleys.
Then we checked the time. Continuing all the way to the hut would have pushed us deeper into a short winter afternoon, so we saved that part for another day.
The full track ends at a very old, very basic hut.
We did not reach Bealey Spur Hut on this trip, but it gives us a very good reason to come back.
DOC says the six-bunk hut was built in 1925 by Walter Taylor and Harry Faulkner of Cora Lynn Station and was used as a base for high-country sheep mustering.
It is still extremely basic. The hut has sacking beds on beech-pole framing and sits in a clearing in the beech forest.
DOC says it can be used overnight, although camping may be more comfortable. A pit toilet is nearby.
Three hours of climbing, laughing and trying to decide if we were finally at the top.
The video has the snowy drive, the roots, the frost, the family side quests and the moment the full valley finally opened beneath us.
Would we do Bealey Spur again?
Absolutely.
For our family, the combination of a gradual climb, sheltered forest and increasingly huge views made this a really enjoyable winter day.
It still made us work. Roots, mud, frost, a steady uphill and exposed viewpoints meant we could not switch our brains off.
Next time we would simply leave earlier and keep going until we find that hut.
A few things worth knowing before you start climbing.
DOC's full route continues to Bealey Spur Hut.
Allow more time if you stop often for photos.
DOC says there are no drinkable water sources along the track and recommends at least one litre per person.
Mud, roots, frost and winter ice can all make the track more slippery.
DOC warns of snow higher on the track plus exposure to wind and cold temperatures.
DOC specifically warns about the cliff overlooking Bruce Stream.
Park below Cloudesley Road and walk up to the track start.
DOC says wasp numbers can be high from January through April.
Especially if you want time to reach the hut and enjoy the views without watching the daylight disappear.
Bealey Spur Track FAQ
How long is Bealey Spur Track?
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Official information used for this guide
Track conditions, distances, access, winter warnings, water advice and hut history were checked against current Department of Conservation information. Our 8.24 km distance, 383 m elevation gain, approximately three-hour time and all descriptions of our family's experience come from our own walk.
The mountains were already losing the light.
By the time we were driving home, the sun was slipping behind the peaks and the temperature was dropping.
We were glad we had turned around when we did. Next time, we will simply start earlier and keep going until we reach Bealey Spur Hut.