Bealey Chasm

Bealey Chasm is a narrow channel on the Bealey River, where water cascades over huge boulders below a footbridge on the Bealey Valley Track. It's a worthwhile five-minute walk from the car park to look down into the rocky cleft. This is a quick stop rather than a full outing; keep going if you want a wider mountain view.

The river is forced through a narrow gap in resistant rock. With the water funneled into a smaller channel, it moves faster and scours the rock, shaping the chasm and the boulders below. From the bridge, frame the stream between the rocks to show how tight the channel is.

A couple of minutes uphill beyond the chasm, the track reaches a snowgrass clearing with views of Mt Rolleston. It continues through mountain beech forest to the Bealey River; allow about 25 minutes each way for the full 1.2 km track. The chasm is only five minutes from the car park, so you can turn around there if that's the stop you came for.

South Island robins live in the area, feeding on coprosma berries and insects. Look and listen around the forest edges instead of keeping your eyes only on the river.

Start at the car park opposite Jack's Hut on SH 73. Steps descend to the footbridge, so the chasm is not a step-free stop or a good choice for wheelchair users. Dogs aren't allowed on the track. If you have time for one more short stretch, the snowgrass clearing is the payoff beyond the bridge.