The Caples Track is located next to the Greenstone and Routeburn Track in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
This Track starts nice and easy on a path leading alongside the Caples River through forest and grassy plains. If there was not the crossing of the sub-alpine Mackellar Saddle, then the widespread opinion of the Caples Track as being the easier crossing to Lake Wakatipu than the Greenstone track, would be true.
The Caples Track is a 23 km circuit walk, taking about 3-5 days, starting and ending either at Lake Wakatipu or at The Divide, on the Milford Road SH94. Sharing the starting and ending points with the Greenstone Track and Routeburn Track, leads to the much used combination option with these two Tracks.

Greenstone Car park to Mid-Caples Hut: 2-3 hours

The Caples Track starts at the end of the Greenstone Road and leads along the River banks, past the Greenstone River and Caples River confluence. The track then continues on the true left bank of the Caples River, mostly following the forests edge, and passing some grassy plains. After about 2 hours and a short climb, you will cross a spectacular gorge just before arriving at the first Hut, The Mid-Caples Hut with 12 bunks.

Mid Caples Hut-Upper Caples Hut: 2-3 hours

The path form Mid Caples Hut to Upper Caples Hut follows the true right bank of the Caples River crossing grassy plains and forest, with the River never too far.


Upper Caples Hut-Mackellar Junction: 4-6 hours

The Caples Track now climbs through mossy beech forests and rocky river banks with the climax reached on the climb towards the sub-alpine zone and onto Mackellar Saddle. In order to protect the sub alpine flora on Mackellar Saddle a boardwalk was built and now leads to the short but steep and rocky drop into the Greenstone Valley. Your effort will be rewarded when descending with magnificent views of Lake Mackellar below, the Livingstone Mountains on the other side of the Valley and Darran Mountains to the right. After the path skirts Lake Mackellar the track turns to the western side of the Greenstone Valley.

Mackellar Junction to The Divide or back to start: