Cascade Saddle Route

Featured
Categories
Regions
More

Motorhomes

Rental Cars

Camping Grounds

Freedom Camping

All Camping

Camping NZ

Top Ranked Walks

Camping NZ

Activities
- Land Activities
  - 4WD Adventures
    
    4WD Adventures
    
    Get off the highway and onto the grass with good old-fashioned 4wheelin' fun. 4WD tours, quad bikes, off-road, self-drive - 101 ways to satisfy the motorhead within.
  - Bridge Climbing
  - Bungy Jumping / Swing
    
    Bungy Jumping / Swing
    
    Bungy Jump 101:
    Find a beautiful place. Check.
    Build a very tall structure with an elastic cord attached to the top. Check.
    Fix cord to body, and leap.
    Wooooo!
  - Canyoning
    
    Canyoning
    
    Canyoning is a mix of land and water travel, descending picturesque canyons on foot (or rear end), ropes and swimming. Born by adrenalin-seekers, the growth in popularity of Canyoning in New Zealand means gentler trips are increasingly available.
  - Caving
    
    Caving
    
    Don overalls and gumboots for a day underground, up and down ropes navigating the maze of tunnels - or go glowworm spotting and enjoy the serenity.
  - Cycling & Mountain Biking
    
    Cycling & Mountain Biking
    
    Put pedal to the metal cycling the length and breadth of New Zealand, or blow your hair back (with a helmet on) navigating NZ's many purpose built Mountain Biking trails.
  - eBikes
  - Group Tours
  - Horse Trekking
    
    Horse Trekking
    
    Galloping down an isolated beach on a trusty steed, sand flying, the salt air whipping in your hair... (admit it, that's how you picture yourself on a horse)
    Horse trekking is offered all over New Zealand, guided trips catering to both experienced riders and those with less time in the saddle.
  - Outside the Square
    
    Outside the Square
    
    Fun, crazy and unusual - these activities refuse to be put in a box. If you're looking for something a bit different, you'll find it here.
  - Railbiking / Railcarting
    
    Railbiking / Railcarting
    
    Railbiking is cycling on unused and forgotten railways. A railbike is either a bicycle that has been modified to be able to ride on the rails of a railroad or a purpose-built specialized railbike or railcart.
  - Snow and Ice
    
    Snow and Ice
    
    New Zealand Glacier and Skiing tours - Good times all round.
  - Sphereing
    
    Sphereing
    
    Sphereing (also known as globe-riding, zorbing or orbing) is the recreation or sport of rolling downhill inside an orb made of transparent plastic.
  - Walking and Hiking Tours
  - Walking and Trekking
    
    Walking and Trekking
    
    Walking and trekking the tracks throughout New Zealand is top of the to-do list for many travellers to New Zealand. From gentle, scenic short walks to multi-day adventures, experience Aotearoa on foot and immerse yourself in the bush, beach and wilderness you came to see.
- Water Activities
  - Boat Cruises
    
    Boat Cruises
    
    With over 15,000km of coastline to enjoy, New Zealand is naturally quite fond of boats… Boat cruises are a great way to explore NZ's rivers, lakes, beaches and fjords, offering a different perspective on both our landscape and wildlife.
  - Diving
    
    Diving
    
    Get deep - explore life beneath the surface with diving, scuba or snorkelling. From the sub-tropical waters of the North Island to the clear, cool waters of the deep South, divers of all abilities can get up close and personal with New Zealand's wrecks, colourful seascape and fish.
  - Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking
    
    Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking
    
    Epic river journeys, gentle lake paddles and inland excursions, exploring New Zealand's interior by waterway gives you a fresh perspective on the landscape.
  - Fresh Water Fishing
  - Jet Boating
    
    Jet Boating
    
    The need for speed is alive and well! Get up close and personal - at pace - with New Zealand rivers and lakes from the confines of a speedy little boat. Thrills, spins and scenery, jet boating is an adrenaline rush appropriate for young, old and everyone in between.
  - Marine Animal Encounters
    
    Marine Animal Encounters
    
    Get up close with wild sea creatures in their natural habitat.
  - Rafting
  - Sailing
  - Salt Water Fishing
  - Sea Kayaking
  - Surfing
  - Watersports
- Air Activities
Attractions
- Visitor Centres
  - DOC Visitor Centres
  - i-SITE Visitor Information Centres
    
    i-SITE Visitor Information Centres
    
    i-SITE is New Zealand’s official visitor information network with over 80 i-SITEs nationwide
    
    Every person who works at an i-SITE is a local travel expert for their home town. They will help you to find quality activities, attractions, accommodation, transport and more. This ensures you will experience the latest and greatest the town has to offer whatever you are after!
  - Visitor Information Centres
    
    Visitor Information Centres
    
    Local visitor centres often work on a casual basis. Opening hours vary, and you can't always rely on them being open, but if they are you'll have access to very localised information.
- Animal Attractions
- Art & Culture Attractions
- Natural Attractions
  - Scenic Attractions
  - Spas & Thermal Pools
  - Stargazing
    
    Stargazing
    
    Stargazing is accessible astronomy. The natural world includes the universe - we only need look up at the sky to see these natural wonders.
  - Volcanic & Geothermal Attractions
Accommodation
- Camping Grounds
  - Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks
    
    Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks
    
    All the camping conveniences can be found here. Expect powered sites, hot showers, serviced facilities and often much more.
  - Basic Facility Camping
    
    Basic Facility Camping
    
    Camping with just the bare essentials in some of the most beautiful locations across NZ. Expect a non flush toilet that's intermittently serviced. Anything more is a bonus.
  - Freedom Camping
    
    Freedom Camping
    
    Expect no facilities. Generally for self contained vehicles only. Check our notes for details.
Transport
- Land Transport
  - Buses and Coaches
  - Motorcycle Tours and Rentals
  - Motorhomes / Campervans / RV
    
    Motorhomes / Campervans / RV
    
    Travelling New Zealand by rental Campervan and Motorhome gives you freedom. Stay by nature, by the beach or use the full facilities provided by hundreds of Holiday Parks and campgrounds. This ranking table doesn't show all campervan companies in NZ, but does show around 80% of them.
  - Rail
  - Rental Cars
    
    Rental Cars
    
    New Zealand travel is at its best with your own set of wheels. Rental cars give you flexibility to travel at your own pace and deviate off the beaten path.
  - Shuttle Buses
    
    Shuttle Buses
    
    A shuttle bus offers short haul bus services that run multiple times a day, often to an activity or attraction.
- Water Transport
  - Ferries
  - Water Taxis
- Air Transport
  - Helicopter Flights

- North Island
  - Northland
    
    Northland
    
    The wairua (spirit) is strong in this one. Two seas clash on the outer rim while giant forest guardians look over within.
  - Auckland Region
    
    Auckland Region
    
    There is no other city in NZ with such an array of close natural wonders. Sometimes hidden behind poor urban design, a small effort yields great rewards.
  - Coromandel
    
    Coromandel
    
    Go underground to find the gold, when you get out there, let it hang out there, use your tea towel as a loin cloth and drink herbal tea. Can you handle th' Mandel?
  - Bay of Plenty
    
    Bay of Plenty
    
    The name says it all.
  - Waikato
    
    Waikato
    
    The land of milk and honey. A mecca of dairy coupled with the sweetness of serenity.
  - Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Gets up before anyone else. A birthplace of the new. Off the track, hongi a local, share a brew. Kia Kaha!
  - Rotorua Region
    
    Rotorua Region
    
    Smell it before you see it. Rotorua is so hot right now!
  - Taupo Region
    
    Taupo Region
    
    Big eruption = Big hole = Big lake
  - Ruapehu
    
    Ruapehu
    
    Slip on your shoes, it's walk-o-rama. Vivid colour like a Psychedelic cruise.
  - Hawkes Bay
    
    Hawkes Bay
    
    Like a masquerade ball; full of pomp, ceremony, fine wine and food. The gannets are cool too.
  - Taranaki
    
    Taranaki
    
    The Naki is quite the surprise package. Talk with the colloquial locals and unlock a Jack-in-the-Box of the unexpected.
  - Manawatu - Wanganui
    
    Manawatu - Wanganui
    
    Raw and real. The Whanganui river is a major artery that has fed culture and change, shaping Aotearoa.
  - Wairarapa
    
    Wairarapa
    
    Get off the main drag and the story of the ugly duckling will be realised.
  - Wellington Region
    
    Wellington Region
    
    Seriously cool that rules with political tools. There's no better place in Aotearoa to get your city fix.
- South Island
  - Marlborough
    
    Marlborough
    
    After slinking through the sounds and sipping on some Savs, keep the sounds down 'cos the spy base is in town.
  - Nelson Region
    
    Nelson Region
    
    This region is like a hippy with flash shoes. Drunk on sunshine. Replenish, reflect, restock & relax. Then relive the 70's and head down the one way street called Golden Bay, it won't let you down.
  - West Coast
    
    West Coast
    
    A diamond in the rough. Get on the offensive, cover yourself in sandfly repellent and tackle the weather & best scenery in NZ head on.
  - Kaikoura Region
    
    Kaikoura Region
    
    Squeezed between two giants, a dramatic point where the Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean meet.
  - Canterbury
    
    Canterbury
    
    Lots on offer here, straight roads make for easy driving but a zig zag approach is rewarded. Good place to get lost in. Watch out for local one eyed rugby fanatics.
  - Central Otago
    
    Central Otago
    
    Surreal space, if the Dalai Lama wanted to hang out in a southern NZ Tibet, then this is the spot. Get out your incense and get remote.
  - Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Like a great road trip movie, wind down the windows, put on your favourite tunes and prepare yourself for a sensory intake of freedom.
  - Wanaka Region
    
    Wanaka Region
    
    The outdoor fitness capital of NZ. You get the feeling every local is capable of giving you 10 one-handed push ups, while holding a coffee in the other. All roads from here lead to goodness.
  - Queenstown Region
    
    Queenstown Region
    
    A beautiful place where the locals have devised any conceivable way to scare you silly.
  - Coastal Otago
    
    Coastal Otago
    
    An oddity that works. The Scots did their best to tame the beast but wildlife still prevails. Get a hip flask of whisky, a kilt and stride the coast with purpose.
  - Fiordland
    
    Fiordland
    
    Meditative Milford - Get yourself in a zen state as this place is intense. Once the tour buses depart by 4pm, the locals are in their element (including sandflies). Find yourself in a quiet space and do what you need to do to take it all in.
  - Southland
    
    Southland
    
    A true blue, quirky mix of heartland and bogan, add a dash of the gay in Gore and gregarious local penguins on lonely beaches.
  - Stewart Island

Ranker's Qualmark Silver Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism operation that consistently exceeds visitor expectations.

Kiwi-Wings

Cascade Saddle Lookout

Kiwi-Wings

Cascade Saddle Route

Matukituki

9 Rankers Reviews

8 Face-to-Face

13 Walking

2 Wanaka Township

Analysis

All Reviews

Write Review

Online Maps

FREE

Camping NZ NEW

Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.

Open Map

Wanaka Township, Wanaka Region

Camping near Wanaka Township

Be Prepared

Photos

Andreas Beeker

A bit of lunging along the Cascade Saddle Track

Incredible views

Information

Time: 2 days, Distance: Approx. 60 km

The Cascade Saddle is a challenging alpine route suitable for fit walkers over the warmer summer months.

Details

Feature	Value	Info
Organisation	DOC Otago Central government organisation
Location	South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township
Categories	Walking Free

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Otago

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township

Feature	Value	Info
Track Difficulty	Hard walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Hard walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Hard walk
Track Duration	8+ hours (incl overnight) Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 8+ hours (incl overnight) These walks generally have overnight options. And often the track's end point is different from the start point.	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 8+ hours (incl overnight) These walks generally have overnight options. And often the track's end point is different from the start point.
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Track Length	20km and Beyond Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 20km and Beyond	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 20km and Beyond
Track Accommodation	Hut/Cabin Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Hut/Cabin At least one building is available on this track to stay in overnight.	Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Hut/Cabin At least one building is available on this track to stay in overnight.
DOC Track Category	Route DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Route Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking. Track unformed and natural, rough, muddy or very steep. Suitable for people with above average fitness. High level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required. Complete self sufficiency required. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings. Sturdy tramping/hiking boots required.	DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Route Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking. Track unformed and natural, rough, muddy or very steep. Suitable for people with above average fitness. High level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required. Complete self sufficiency required. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings. Sturdy tramping/hiking boots required.
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.

Reviews

Department of Conservation

Protect & preserve our precious environment #LoveThisPlace

Every campsite on one map

Try the Camping NZ app in your browser now

Florian Baum

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

Awesome glaciers, great views - especially from the Cascade Saddle (one of my favourite places in New Zealand!).

Reviewed about 6 years ago and experienced in February 2016

Regina Baum

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

A lot of variation, fantastic views from the saddle, not too crowded.

Reviewed about 6 years ago and experienced in February 2016

Sarah Jane O'Reilly

Ireland

Ranking: 10/10

Beautiful sight at the top.

Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2014

Avoid Camping Fines!

Each camping location is approved by a regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.

The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…

Alex

New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Absolutely must do this if you're doing the Dart Rees. The view is incredible and it's not all that challenging to get there. The Pylon is a good bit further but also worth doing if you've got the time

Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in January 2014

Tobias Sowade

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

Six hour track one way. Very steep (dangerous if wet!!), but worth it. Especially if you go up to see the sunset, camp and see the sunrise on top of Mt Pylon. Perfect track if you are looking for some Edelweiss.

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Martin Guillaume

France

Ranking: 9/10

Beautiful, really steep.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in March 2012

Camping NZ App

Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.

Boi Sagarra

Spain

Ranking: 9/10

Huge mountains, glaciers, valleys...enormous!!

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in March 2011

Carmel

Israel

Ranking: 10/10

Not very easy but worth the climb, the view is breathtaking.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

familytravellers

Ranking: 10/10

Spectacular scenery, so the steep and hard climb (1300m) is well rewarded!

Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in March 2009

DOC Managed

Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍

Cymen Crick

Rankers Owner

Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township

Land Activities

4WD Adventures

Bungy Jumping / Swing

Canyoning

Caving

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Horse Trekking

Outside the Square

Railbiking / Railcarting

Snow and Ice

Sphereing

Walking and Trekking

Water Activities

Boat Cruises

Diving

Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking

Jet Boating

Marine Animal Encounters

Air Activities

Visitor Centres

i-SITE Visitor Information Centres

Visitor Information Centres

Animal Attractions

Art & Culture Attractions

Natural Attractions

Stargazing

Camping Grounds

Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks

Basic Facility Camping

Freedom Camping

Land Transport

Motorhomes / Campervans / RV

Rental Cars

Shuttle Buses

Water Transport

Air Transport

North Island

Northland

Auckland Region

Coromandel

Bay of Plenty

Waikato

Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Rotorua Region

Taupo Region

Ruapehu

Hawkes Bay

Taranaki

Manawatu - Wanganui

Wairarapa

Wellington Region

South Island

Marlborough

Nelson Region

West Coast

Kaikoura Region

Canterbury

Central Otago

Mount Cook - MacKenzie

Wanaka Region

Queenstown Region

Coastal Otago

Fiordland

Southland

Cascade Saddle Route

Cascade Saddle Route

Matukituki

Online Maps

Camping NZ NEW

Be Prepared

Photos

Information

Details

Track Difficulty

Track Difficulty

Track Duration

Track Duration

Payment Requirement

Payment Requirement

Track Length