The Huts

I am thrilled to bring you this new Rustic Adventure Ride for the Lyford to Hanmer Trip. I have had many enquiries for this trip to Hanmer,, so we have put this together. Not only is it an alternative to the luxury Horse Treks, which take the same trail, and are superb, but we have researched a new route, which is longer, higher and more impressive. I would have fallen on the ground if I hadn’t been on my horse at some places!! Like coming across the waterfall near the pass over to the Hanmer River on day 3. See photo below.

We pass through seven working farming properties along this trip and I would like to acknowledge the generosity of the land owners who allow us to ride for miles through their farms.

Let me take you through it.

Day one : Mt Lyford to Sherwood Huts 5 to 6 hours

This trail takes us over three properties, Snowdon, Terako Downs and Tinline . We ride along the foothills of the Amuri Range with the impressive high peaks of this range on our right. The going is straight forward at an altitude of 1500 to 2,500 feet. We lunch on the top by tarns(small high lakes)looking across to the large limestone cliffs of the batteries on the other side of the Mason River, and South across the Waiau river Valley to Weka Pass. We pass through large areas of native Beech Forest and ride over open tussock farmland. We cross the Lottery River to follow it a short distance upstream to the huts  where our horses stay around the huts with us. Be prepared for the most glorious of morning choruses I have ever heard.

Washing the horses down in the river in front of the huts on arrival.

Day Two Sherwood Huts to Moriaty’s farm cottage 5 to 8 hours

This is the highest we go on the whole route. We take the trail behind Sherwood Lodge and follow it along the tops through Wynford Hills and Hossack Downs passing under Mt Paul to the Hossack Downs Road. There is an option to be picked up here and  driven to the cottage where we stay the night , or you can staunch it out and wander along the road for the 10 km to the Cottage. Highlights of this ride are the views both West into the Little Lottery River and East into the Waiau river Valley. We pass through many areas of native forest and high country farmland.

Walking down to the Hossack Downs

Day Three Moriarty’s cottage to Chatterton Farm just outside Hanmer Springs township 4 to 5 hours

We ride an hour along River Road to the Homestead at Barceldean, and enter this property that takes us through one of two passes into the Hanmer River. One pass is higher then the other, both with fantastic scenery and some impressive sights along the way like the huge waterfall that crosses the track round a bend near the top. We cross the Hanmer River and follow the farm track into Chatterton.

The waterfall near the top of the Pass to the Hanmer River

There is the option to stay in a hut at Chatterton and do the trip in reverse taking different trails for most of the way making this a glorious 6 day ride!!

Information

We supply accommodation, all food, transfer of gear and return to Mt Lyford, Horse riding gear, such as helmets, chaps, long riding coats, gloves saddle bags and lunches.

Bring warm riding gear, sleeping bag, and overnight things, camera and suntan lotion

Fee $895.00pp

Upgrades curtesy of Sherwood Lodge:

Sheets and Towells $30.00pp per night

Beer and wine to order

Minimum two riders. Riders must be over ten years and riding fit. We recommend you have a warm up day with a partnering up session and an afternoon ride with your horse to prepare you thoroughly fee $200.00pp

You may do your own food and transfers for a cheaper fee of $800.00pp

Deposit (non refundable) of $200.00 is required

Myself along with my team look forward to making this the best high country horse experience ever.