Lyell to Ghost Lake Hut - Old Ghost Road

The Lyell to Ghost Lake Hut - Old Ghost Road section is 26.7 km long. It is a substantial mountain stage with 1,989 m of elevation gain, so the distance feels much bigger than the number alone suggests.

Lyell to Ghost Lake Hut - Old Ghost Road is rated Extra Difficult. The combination of 26.7 km and nearly 2,000 m of climbing makes it a demanding alpine-style day or overnight stage rather than a casual walk.

Lyell to Ghost Lake Hut - Old Ghost Road starts at the Lyell trailhead near the historic gold-mining settlement of Lyell in Buller and finishes at Ghost Lake Hut on the Lyell Range. On the wider Old Ghost Road, Lyell is the southern end and Seddonville is the northern end.

Most walkers treat Lyell to Ghost Lake Hut - Old Ghost Road as a full-day mountain stage or the first overnight section of the Old Ghost Road. With 26.7 km and 1,989 m of ascent to reach Ghost Lake Hut at about 1,200 m elevation, it is best planned as a long, strenuous day for strong hikers.

The profile on Lyell to Ghost Lake Hut - Old Ghost Road is mostly uphill from the Lyell end, with a long sustained climb toward Lyell Saddle and then higher onto the exposed tops near Ghost Lake. Ghost Lake Hut sits around 1,200 m, and this south-to-north direction is commonly favored because the route gains height steadily from Lyell before the steeper descents farther north on the full Old Ghost Road.

Yes. Lyell to Ghost Lake Hut - Old Ghost Road is part of the mapped Old Ghost Road route, which runs between Lyell and Seddonville. The Lyell to Ghost Lake Hut section follows the southern approach past Lyell Saddle toward the high point near Ghost Lake Hut, so a full Old Ghost Road map will show this stage clearly.