- Area
- Arthur's Pass National Park
- Distance
- 6.45km
- Time
- 2-3hr
- Grade
- Moderate
- Accom.
- Sudden Valley Bivouac (free, two bunks)
- Access
- Off SH73, north of Cass. Take the gravel road to the Mt White Bridge over the Waimakariri River. Follow the signpost to Hawdon Shelter and the track up Hawdon Valley. Sudden Valley enters the Hawdon 1km up valley
- Map
- BV21
- GPX File
- Sudden Valley Biv (gpx, yo 7 KB)
- Your device does not support GPX files. Please try a different device.
The secluded post glacial Sudden Valley features a glacier, the Barrier Falls, and a two-bunk bivouac all reached on a rough route that passes through a narrow gorge.
Half-way through the gorge, The Chute enters the canyon, a steep, stony gully that allows access to the waterfall bypass track. It,s important to take this bypass to avoid very difficult terrain.
Once above the gorge, the trail becomes steadily easier until the bivvy is reached.
Support Wilderness
Since 1991, Wilderness has had one simple goal: to help Kiwis ‘See more, do more, live more’ of New Zealand.
If you value our mission, please consider subscribing. As a loyal supporter, you’ll receive these benefits:
- New Zealand’s best outdoor journalism We’ve won multiple awards for our journalism and magazine production.
- NZ’s best trips. Browse more than 610 trips with downloadable maps and route notes.
- Trustworthy gear reviews. Each month we review gear we’ve been bashing and thrashing for months so you can determine if its worth your money.
- Member benefits. Our WildCard provides discounts at more than 20 partners throughout New Zealand.
- Your support goes a long way. Your subscription will help us fund NZ’s best outdoor journalists and writers and ensure Wilderness will be there to inspire the next generation of outdoor Kiwis.
A subscription costs as little as $7.00/month for instant access to all articles, trips, gear reviews and gear guides.
View all our subscription options and join the club.
Already a subscriber? Login Now.