Three Tarn Pass Route

Note - The Three Tarn Pass marked on the new Nelson Lakes National Park Map(Edition 3 2005) is incorrect. The correct Three Tarn Pass is the low point connecting West Matakitaki Valley with the Western or True Right Branch of the Maruia Valley. This is the route described in most good guide books and most favoured by trampers.

However all is not lost as the Pass marked on the new map park offers a alternative route to those with good alpine and navigational skills. This route is described for you below.

The Three Tarns Route requires good fitness and good weather. Of the two routes from Ada Hut to the West Matakitaki Valley.This route offers the better views. But you have to work for it. As it's slightly higher than the Right Branch route. The pass itself can hold snow and ice cover well into the summer. Especially the Maruia Valley side. There are some great campsites below the first tarn giving fantastic views down the Maruia Valley and across to the Fryberg Range. Also from the Tarns Gloriana and Faerie Queee Peaks are readily accessible.

From Ada Hut cross Ada Stream in front of the hut. Take the obvious spur from the valley floor on the True Left of the True Left Of The Maruia River (that's a mouth full). The bush bashing up thought the trees is far easier than the other route(True Right Maruia). There a number clearings and generally easy traveling through open bush. Remember to stay high on the ridge above the creek. Once you pop out of the tree line there's a old Moraine Terrace that gives you good access to a small hanging basin at the Head Of The Maruia Valley. There's a nice waterfall tumbling out of this basin. It's a easy scramble up the bluff on it's true left giving you access to the first of two Tarns. Plenty of good campsites are to be found here giving you good shelter and views.

The second larger tarn is at the base of the pass itself. Although pretty in it's own right it doesn't offer any good camping sites. Travel is around the true right scrambling over a large rock slide before the last steep grunt to the Pass. The three tarns are easy to spot below the pass in the Head Of The West Matakitaki Valley.The descent off the pass is steep at first. But it's not difficult to pick a route down to the three tarns. Which offer a good campsite.

Ada Hut

Head Of True Right Maruia Valley

Maruia Valley (Click on picture to see marked route)

Freyberg Range

Head Of True Left Maruia Valley(Click on picture to see marked route)

Opera Range From Lower Tarn Campsite

Bottom Tarn Head Left Branch Maruia Valley

Top Tarn Head Of True Left Branch Maruia Valley (Click on picture to see marked route)

Top Tarn Head Of True Left Branch Maruia Valley From Pass to the Three Tarns

Head Of West Matakitaki Valley


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Peter & Trish Kemp
Nelson Lakes Shuttles
P.O. Box 75
St Arnaud 7053
Nelson Lakes
New Zealand
Phone: +64 (3) 521-1900
Mobile 021 490095

Peter & Trish have 30 years experience in the New Zealand Transport, Tramping and Accommodation Industries in the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast regions


Click Here To View The True Right Branch Maruia Route Guide.The correct Three Tarn Pass favoured by most guide books and trampers.


Click Here To View The Trip Report From The Three Tarns To St Arnaud