I loved hiking the Temple Bassin Track in Arthur’s Pass. The distance was a perfect half-day hike with beautiful views all the way to the top. I packed food for lunch, my camera and diary to enjoy a nice break in the hut at the top.
The Temple Basin Track is a 2.1 km one-way trail and it took me about 1,5 hours to reach the top. The weather was really unpredictable and I walked in both wind, rain and clouds.
Luckily it cleared up when I reached the top and I got some amazing views!
Temple Bassin Track Highlights:
- Starting Point: The track begins at the Temple Basin car park, situated 5 km north of Arthur’s Pass Village along State Highway 73.
- Ascent: The path ascends steeply through alpine meadows, offering expansive mountain vistas. During the summer months (November to February), the alpine flowers are typically in bloom, enhancing the scenic beauty.
- Destination: The marked trail concludes at the Lockwood Day Shelter within the ski area. Beyond this point, the route becomes unmarked and involves complex avalanche terrain.
In the hut, I took my time preparing a nice lunch and boiling water for a cup of tea. I sat, looked out the windows, enjoyed the incredible views of the surrounding mountains, and wrote in my diary before heading back down to my car.
Are you searching for other incredible hikes in New Zealand? I have done a lot of different ones, both day-hikes and multi-day hikes – check out these: Kepler Track, Hike to Mt. Fyffe Hut and My favorite hikes in Arthur’s Pass
Wondering what to pack for your hike? I’ve got you covered: Packing list
