Greenstone and Caples Tracks
The Greenstone and Caples Tracks form a tramping circuit which is located in the South Island of New Zealand.
Geography
Each of the Greenstown and Caples tracks can be completed by themselves, and they are linked by the McKellar Saddle, allowing trampers to walk a full loop. The loop also links to several other tracks including the Routeburn Track, as well as the Mavora Lakes Conservation Park tracks. All of these areas are part of the Te Wāhipounamu/South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area.Ownership and access
The Caples Track follows the Caples River up the privately owned Caples Valley while the Greenstone Track follows the Greenstone River in the Greenstone Valley which is also privately owned.Much of the area is owned by the local tribe of the Ngāi Tahu while most of the tracks are in the Greenstone and Caples Conservation Areas with some also being a part of the Fiordland National Park around Lake McKellar. The whole track is open to public access as long as stock is not disturbed.
The tracks can be accessed from the Greenstone Road carpark, located roughly 11km along the gravel road from Kinloch, near Glenorchy. Because of fords, the road is not suitable for camper vans. The carpark is roughly 86km from Queenstown. The tracks can also be accessed via the Routeburn Track, starting from the divide end of the track.
Huts
There are three public huts on the tracks, the Greenstone Hut, the McKellar Hut and the Mid Caples Hut. There are also several private huts as well as some hunters huts: The Mid Greenstone Hut and the Upper Caples Hut.Access to the Mavora Lakes Conservation Park is from the Greenstone Hut. Access to the Routeburn Track is near McKellar Hut.