Old Ghost Road
An 85 km backcountry trail on the West Coast that follows old gold miners' routes from the ghost town of Lyell over the tops to Seddonville.
At a glance
- Starts in
- Lyell
- Ends in
- Seddonville
- Length
- 85 km
- On foot
- 2–4 days
- Countries
New Zealand
About the trail
The Old Ghost Road follows routes cut by gold miners in the hills of the Buller district on the South Island's West Coast, joining two rediscovered old trails with newly built track. It begins at Lyell, an old ghost town in the Buller Gorge, and ends near Seddonville in the north.
The route climbs to a high point of 1,280 m on open tops, then makes an 11 km descent into the Stern Valley before following river country to its northern end. Six backcountry huts, two of them run by the Department of Conservation, and a campsite at the Lyell trailhead break up the journey.
Tourism New Zealand lists the Old Ghost Road among the Great Rides of New Zealand, at 85 km and two to four days, and recommends starting at Lyell. It is graded advanced for mountain bikers, who must walk some narrow, rocky sections, and the drive between the two ends takes about an hour and three-quarters.