Angelus East Ridge Circuit

An awesome and challenging alpine circuit that takes you around the western side of Lake Rotoiti, up the spectacular and remote east ridge of Mt Angelus, past tarns and a lake to Angelus hut, then back out via the fantastic Robert Ridge track. It's a run-climb-run.

The route described is feasible only in summer months, with clear, settled weather. It requires some careful route finding and confidence on exposed rock (the east ridge climb is grade 2+ in the NZAC guidebook, and gets a star for quality. Trail running shoes are fine).

Start from the carpark half-way up the Mt Robert Road where the Lakeside track starts. Follow this around the lake to Coldwater Hut and on to Hukere Stream (1-1.5 hrs from the car). Cross the bridge over this stream, fill up with water, and strike out into the forest heading for the prominent ridge that rises up to separate the Travers river and Hukere stream.

The steepening ridge is easily followed through the bush (no track or cairns - you're on your own here) and climbs to a rock band at the bushline which requires some care to ascend. Beyond this, the ridge has pleasant and varied travel (see pic) until pt 2015 is reached. Drop into the scree between here and pt 2037 and regain the ridge to bypass a difficult section that would require a rope.

Carry on over pt 2093 and descend carefully (tend right near the bottom) to the major col that overlooks screes into the Hukere and Hopeless headwaters. The section from here to the summit of Angelus Peak has the most 'interesting' and at times airy rock scrambling; take care on this section - it takes much longer than it looks on the map!

From Angelus Peak, you can start running again - first down to the attractive alpine basins picking up faint trails, and make your way past tarns to the spacious hut by Lake Angelus. Fill up with water here, then it's an exhilarating 2 hour+ run along a well-marked track over the undulating tops (great views) with a turn-off right onto Paddy's track for the final descent sections back to Lakeside Track and carpark.