Mount Isobel

Descargada 26 veces

 -42.50392355, 172.84329562

Si
919 m	1321 m
937 m	487 m

			Total
	4.53 km	4.52 km	9.05 km
	1h 59min 25s	1h 29min 23s	3h 28min 48s
	2.27 km/h	3.03 km/h	2.6 km/h

  Descargar track gps

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Mount Isobel is one of the most rewarding day hikes around Hanmer Springs. This route combines beautiful native beech forest, an impressive waterfall, enjoyable alpine ridgeline walking and spectacular summit views. The track is maintained by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and is well marked throughout, making it an excellent option for anyone with a good level of fitness.

The hike starts from the Waterfall Track car park, located at the end of Mullans Road, which is accessed via a gravel road. Although unsealed, the road is generally suitable for most vehicles if driven carefully. From the car park, the trail follows the official DOC Waterfall Track, which climbs steadily through beautiful mountain beech forest.

The climb is steep almost from the very beginning and remains so until you leave the bush near the saddle. At times it can feel relentless, but the dense native forest provides plenty of shade, making the ascent much more pleasant, especially during the warmer months.

Roughly halfway up you'll reach the impressive Dog Stream Waterfall, a slender 41-metre-high waterfall cascading down the cliff beside the track. It's a great place to stop for a short break before continuing the climb. Just a few metres after passing the waterfall, the trail joins the official DOC Mount Isobel Track, which continues climbing towards the summit.

Shortly afterwards, the trail finally emerges above the bushline. From here the landscape changes completely. The dense forest gives way to open alpine terrain, the views begin to open up and the walking becomes much more enjoyable.

A short distance later you'll reach the main saddle. From the saddle onwards, the hike becomes even more enjoyable. Looking to your left you'll see La Chilindrina, while Mount Isobel sits about one kilometre away to your right. From this point onwards, the route follows open alpine terrain marked by the familiar orange DOC poles, making navigation straightforward even when visibility isn't perfect.

The day I climbed Mount Isobel, low cloud covered much of the Hanmer Springs side of the range while the opposite side remained considerably clearer. The changing weather created a dramatic atmosphere and constantly changing views throughout the final approach to the summit.

As you near the top, you'll first arrive at the summit trig point. Although many hikers stop here, the actual highest point is only a few steps further along the ridge, so make sure you continue all the way to stand on the true summit.

From the top, the views are outstanding. On a clear day you can see across the Hanmer Basin and towards the mountains around Lewis Pass, with an impressive panorama stretching across the surrounding ranges. It's the perfect place to sit down, have something to eat and enjoy the scenery before starting the descent.

On our way back, once we reached the saddle, we decided to make a short detour to the summit of La Chilindrina. Since it's less than 100 metres from the saddle, it's a worthwhile addition if you still have some energy left. It only takes a few extra minutes and rewards you with another great viewpoint over the surrounding mountains before continuing back to the car park.

One of the great things about hiking Mount Isobel is that there are several other tracks in the area that can be combined to create different routes. Besides the DOC Mount Isobel Track and the DOC Waterfall Track, you can also explore routes such as the Spur Track or the Fir Trail, allowing you to create a variety of circuits back to the car park depending on how much time and energy you have.

Overall, this is a fantastic hike that offers a bit of everything: a steep forest climb, the beautiful Dog Stream Waterfall, enjoyable alpine ridgeline walking and exceptional summit views. While the ascent through the bush requires a good effort, the scenery from the saddle onwards more than rewards it, making it easy to understand why it's considered one of the best day hikes around Hanmer Springs.