Travers Peak

Travers Peak is probably the best vantage point for views that you will find a tracked route to from the Lewis Pass Highway.

Start by crossing the road from the DOC Deer Flat campsite and head onto the signposted Foleys Track. You'll begin with nice moderately technical trail ascending through amazing beech forest. Perfectly runnable. Smell that honeydew! As the elevation climbs so does the steepness - nothing too frightening but its once of those ascents where you have to decide whats more efficient, a fast walk or a slow run with the odd breather.

Eventually you'll reach the bushline at around 1300m and from there you really start to soak up the views, which just keep improving as you climb higher. The route to the summit is fairly obvious, mostly on the ridgline past the odd tarn and plenty of tussockland. The poles stop a short way above the bush, which could make navigation a little tricky in cloud - you will want a gpx or map and compass if you're doin it with low visibilty.

The summit is a place to linger, its just so good to be high on the hills and these are some of the best you'll find anywhere.In clear weather you'll spot a couple of other Trail Directory Routes in the distance, such as Mt Haast and the Lewis Tarns. Once you've got your fill retrace your steps back to the car, unless you are super intrepid and want to take the Zampa Tops route and come out down the St James Walkway - but that's a whole other kettle of fish and for the true adventure runners.

When you get back to the car at Deer Flat there's always the Rolleston Pack Track to add on if you want a little extra mileage on the day as well.