St James Walkway

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The St James Walkway is a 66-kilometre (41-mile) subalpine hiking track in New Zealand’s South Island, near Lewis Pass. It’s run by the Department of Conservation and was the first New Zealand track built in a subalpine area.

The route starts near Lewis Pass at about 863 metres above sea level and travels to Boyle Village, following the Cannibal Gorge, Ada Pass, Ada River, Waiau Uwha River, and Henry River to Anne Saddle, the highest point at 1,136 metres. From there the track goes along the Boyle River to Rokeby Hut, Boyle Flat Hut, and ends at Boyle Village, 600 metres above sea level. If you’re returning by road, the two ends are about 16 kilometres apart via State Highway 7.

There are five serviced huts with firewood or coal and about 14–20 bunks: Cannibal Gorge Hut, Ada Pass Hut, Christopher Hut, Anne Hut, and Boyle Flat Hut. There are two basic huts with smaller bunks: Christopher Cullers Hut (4 bunks) and Rokeby Hut (3 bunks).

Part of Te Araroa, the trail shares a section between Christopher and Anne Huts at the Waiau River. The walk also passes the site of the historic St James Station.

Tip: The Boyle Village parking area is a safer place to leave a vehicle.