Old Ghost Road – Ghost Lake Section
Gold-rush ghosts and alpine tarns, West Coast NZ.
The Old Ghost Road was built on the bones of a 19th-century pack track that gold miners hacked through Westland’s Lyell Range but never finished. The full route runs 85 km from Lyell (just off State Highway 6) to Seddonville near the Mokihinui River mouth — it’s technically a multi-day mountain bike and tramping track, but the Ghost Lake section accesses some of the most dramatic alpine terrain on the South Island’s West Coast and the surrounding 4WD access tracks to the trailhead at Lyell Campsite are legitimate high-clearance territory. Elevation climbs sharply out of the Buller River valley, and weather can turn savage with almost no warning. The Ghost Lake hut sits at around 1300 m and is the emotional heart of the route.
Vehicle access to the Lyell trailhead is manageable with a stock high-clearance 4WD on a dry day, but the surrounding DoC backcountry roads deteriorate fast in rain — this is West Coast NZ, so assume it will rain. The Lyell Campsite is DoC-managed and requires a small fee. No fuel between Murchison and Westport, so plan accordingly. Cell service is essentially non-existent once you leave the highway. Best season is December through March for alpine access. This one rewards those who slow down and actually walk a stretch — the tussock, tarns, and silence up top are the real payoff.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 53 mi / 85 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4430 ft |
| Best season | December-March |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Murchison, West Coast |
| Land manager | Department of Conservation New Zealand |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | DoC – Old Ghost Road Old Ghost Road Trust |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum vehicle needed — can a stock Hilux or Patrol handle this?
High-clearance 4WD is required. A stock Hilux or GU Patrol in low range will manage, but you need genuine off-road capability — soft-roaders and lifted crossovers won't cut it on the rougher sections toward the alpine terrain.
When is the Ghost Lake section actually driveable — does snow close it?
December through March is the reliable window. Outside that, snow and ice on the Lyell Range make the high sections dangerous or impassable. Spring access can be particularly sketchy with lingering snowpack even after official 'opening.'
Do you need a permit or are there fees to drive this route?
No vehicle permit is required for the route itself, but hut and campsite fees apply if you're using DoC facilities — book through the Old Ghost Road Trust or DoC in advance, especially in peak summer. Kahurangi National Park conservation rules apply throughout.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The climb toward Ghost Lake and the alpine tarn country is the most demanding stretch — steep, rutted, and exposed, with narrow shelf road in places. At moderate difficulty this isn't a rock-crawling nightmare, but loose gravel on descents and tight lines demand a confident driver, not a first-timer.
There's zero cell service — how far is the nearest fuel and should I carry extra?
Murchison is your last reliable fuel stop before heading in. With 85km of remote backcountry and no services on trail, carry extra fuel — a long-range tank or jerry cans are not optional here. Expect to be completely self-sufficient for 2-4 days with no bailout option mid-route.
Trail track
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