Last updated November 2026
The Old Man Hut Circuit is a two-day loop in Mount Richmond Forest Park that the Department of Conservation (DOC) describes as a good weekend tramp. It starts from the Staircase Road car park, reached from the Marlborough side near Renwick, about 30 km from Nelson in a straight line.
DOC grades it as an advanced tramping track and gives it as a 30 km loop. The route drops to Lake Chalice Hut, crosses the open tops over Old Man (1514 m) to Old Man Hut, then returns down the Goulter River. Forestry operations can close the roads into the forest park, so check DOC before you go.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Old Man Hut Circuit on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Car park at the end of Staircase Road, via Northbank Road and Top Valley Road
- Distance from the city
- About 30 km from Nelson (straight line)
- Walking time
- 2 days
- Track length
- 30 km loop
- Grade
- Advanced tramping track
- Dogs
- Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only
- Huts
- Lake Chalice Hut and Old Man Hut (DOC huts)
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Open when checked on 18 October 2026. Check DOC before you go.
- Track markers
- On marked bush tracks, DOC and most councils use orange triangles for the walking route. Triangles or tape in other colours, usually pink or blue, mark pest-control lines and traps. They can lead off the track, so don’t follow them.
About Old Man Hut Circuit
DOC breaks the circuit into three stages.
Staircase Road to Lake Chalice Hut (1 hr, 2.6 km)
A benched tramping track leads down from the car park to Lake Chalice Hut near the eastern end of Lake Chalice, the only lake in the forest park.
Lake Chalice Hut to Old Man Hut (7 hr, 10 km)
From the hut, follow the eastern side of the lake for 15 minutes to the Old Man Track junction. The track climbs to point 1522 m, drops down a spur to a saddle, then climbs the other side to Old Man (1514 m). It continues west along the Richmond Range before descending to Old Man Hut. This is the open-tops day, where snow, wind and fog can all come into play.
Old Man Hut to Staircase Road via the Goulter River (7 hr, 17.3 km)
From Old Man Hut, descend steeply to a stream and follow it down to the Goulter River. An undulating track then leads to the western end of Lake Chalice and on to Lake Chalice Hut, before the benched track climbs back up to Staircase Road.
Huts
Lake Chalice Hut
A standard DOC hut with 8 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and water from the stream. When we checked on 18 October 2026 it was first come, first served, but DOC had an alert for the Mount Richmond Forest Park area saying Lake Chalice Hut “will open for bookings on 3 November 2026 for stays from 3 November onwards”.
Old Man Hut
A standard DOC hut with 5 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and tap water that is not treated (boil before use). Bookings are required.
DOC’s hut pages list fees for both huts of $15 per adult per night and $7.50 per youth (5–17 years), with children 0–4 free.
Track Conditions and Safety
Snow, wind and fog are hazards of the open tops, and DOC says you will need the skill to tramp in those conditions. Water becomes scarce higher up, especially in summer, so carry water in dry conditions and treat any water you collect.
Unbridged streams and rivers can become impassable in flood; be ready to wait for them to drop. If in doubt, stay out. Wasps are common from December until April.
Check DOC before you go, use Plan My Walk, fill in hut books, and tell someone your plans.
Getting There
DOC’s directions: 5 km north of Renwick, just over the Wairau River bridge, turn off State Highway 6 onto Northbank Road. Follow it for 33 km, turn into Top Valley Road for 6 km, then follow Staircase Road for 18 km to the car park. A 4WD is recommended.
DOC also warns that severe weather has damaged many roads in Marlborough, so check the Marlborough District Council road updates before you travel.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Old Man Hut Circuit: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Mount Richmond Forest Park access: check whether the roads into the forest park are open.
Plan My Walk (NZ Mountain Safety Council): plan your trip, check gear and share your intentions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Old Man Hut Circuit?
DOC gives it as a 30 km loop taking 2 days.
How hard is it?
DOC grades it as an advanced tramping track, with an open-tops section over Old Man (1514 m).
Which huts are on the circuit?
Lake Chalice Hut (first come, first served when we checked on 18 October 2026, but DOC’s alert said it opens for bookings on 3 November 2026 for stays from that date) and Old Man Hut (bookings required). Both are DOC huts.
Can I take my dog?
Only with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes.
Where does it start?
At the Staircase Road car park, reached via Northbank Road and Top Valley Road from State Highway 6 near Renwick.
Do I need a 4WD?
DOC recommends a 4WD for the road to the car park.
Is there water on the tops?
DOC says water becomes scarce further up, especially in summer, so carry water in dry conditions.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.