Blue Pools Track: Makarora's Famous Short Walk on the Haast Pass

Overview

The Blue Pools are one of the most popular stops on the Haast Highway (SH6) between Wānaka and Haast. An easy 1 hr 30 min return walk (3.2 km) through native silver beech (tāwhai) forest leads to swing bridges above crystal-clear, snow-fed river pools in Mount Aspiring National Park.

The pools are vivid blue only when it hasn't rained recently. After heavy rain they turn brown and muddy, so time your visit for a dry, sunny spell.

The walk

• Follow the signposted track from Blue Pools car park through beech forest for about 30 minutes to the swing bridge over the Makarora River.
• Turn left. Two minutes later you'll reach the second swing bridge, above the Blue Pools. Cross it for views of the pools and the river gorge.
• Return the same way. Beyond the bridge, the track becomes the Young River Link Track.

Grade: Easy short walk on a gravel path, with rocky sections and two swing bridges.

Getting there

The car park is well signposted on SH6, about halfway between Wānaka and Haast, 10 km past Makarora when you're driving from Wānaka.

Parking is free for cars and campervans, with two mobility spaces. It gets very busy from November to April.

Safety and rules

• No jumping off the swing bridges. Rivers are unpredictable and hide dangers.
• No soap or washing in the pools. Don't build rock stacks, as cairns disturb the ecosystem.
• No rubbish bins, so take your rubbish with you. No dogs and no drones.

Facilities

There are toilets, including an accessible one, at the car park. There's no drinking water. Cameron Flat Campsite is across the road. Makarora has limited food and fuel.

Nature

Listen for bellbirds, grey warblers, riflemen and the rare yellowhead (mohua). Red native mistletoe flowers between October and January. The sandflies are fierce, so bring repellent.

Nearby

Thunder Creek Falls (28 m) and Roaring Billy Falls are both short walks further along the Haast Highway.