Parking
No road-side trailhead. Begin at Top Forks Hut; the foot approach from Kerin Forks Hut is about 15 km and 6–8 hours along the Wilkin Valley Track.
Overview
About North Branch Wilkin Track to Lakes Diana and Lucidus
Why go
- A tarn and two different alpine lakes on one out-and-back.
Heads up
- Unbridged crossings and slippery boulder hopping slow the short mileage.
- Reaching the remote hut can take most of a day on foot.
North Branch Wilkin Track to Lakes Diana and Lucidus is a remote out-and-back from Top Forks Hut to Lake Lucidus, with Disappearing Tarn and Lake Diana along the way. Expect about 7 km (4.35 miles) return and allow 3–4 hours for the rough footing, crossings and lake stops. The walk to Lucidus takes about 1 hour 30 minutes each way before breaks. The short mileage hides a serious backcountry outing: you cross a river immediately in front of the hut, then pick your way over boulders and ford a smaller stream.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the hike for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Mount Aspiring map
Full mapElevation600–879 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
1 active Mount Aspiring alert
- CautionRob Roy Track: stop at lower lookout during avalanche seasonFrom May through November, end your Rob Roy Track hike at the lower lookout; DOC strongly recommends against continuing to the upper lookout because the track crosses active avalanche paths.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Mount Aspiring Tour Guide
Your drive to North Branch Wilkin Track to Lakes Diana and Lucidus, narrated.
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- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Rockwren, Yellowhead, and 8 more
- Works offlinemaps, 50 trails, 52 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
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Trail guide
Hiking North Branch Wilkin Track to Lakes Diana and Lucidus
From the hut to the lakesCross the South Branch in front of Top Forks Hut, then follow the North Branch over a long…
Cross the South Branch in front of Top Forks Hut, then follow the North Branch over a long stretch of boulder hopping. The stones are slippery when wet, and a small side stream can be awkward to ford. The track then leaves the river corridor and climbs a prominent spur through forest. It emerges at Disappearing Tarn, a small lake tucked into the upper valley.
Lake Diana is five minutes farther on, just south of the track among subalpine vegetation. Continue across open grassland for about 20 minutes to reach Lake Lucidus, a moraine lake. Turn around at Lucidus for this outing. Beyond the boardwalk, a separate branch continues toward Lake Castalia and adds more stream crossings and loose-rock scrambling.
Access and conditionsTop Forks Hut is deep in the Wilkin Valley, with no road-side trailhead.
Top Forks Hut is deep in the Wilkin Valley, with no road-side trailhead. The walk-in from Kerin Forks Hut is about 15 km and 6–8 hours; its upper section includes ravines, unmarked river flats and several possible fords. The South and North Branch rivers can become impassable after rain. Do not cross if you cannot identify safe entry and exit points or are unsure of the flow.
Boulder hopping is slow and slick in wet weather, and the smaller side stream can be difficult to ford. Avalanche terrain lies beyond Lake Diana; avalanches are possible whenever snow and steep slopes combine, with the usual risk season extending from May into November. The upper valley is remote and weather can change quickly, so carry suitable warm and waterproof gear.
Hut and park rulesTop Forks is a serviced, 16-bunk hut.
Top Forks is a serviced, 16-bunk hut. Overnight bookings are required in the summer season; outside that period bunks are first-come, first-served and fees still apply. It is accommodation, not a shop or café, so bring the food and supplies you need for the valley. Dogs are not allowed in the park.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Mount Aspiring
60 sightingsKeaMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
112 sightingsRockwrenMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
26 sightingsYellowheadMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
13 sightingsTūīMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
27 sightingsBellbirdMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
35 sightingsRiflemanMost seen around 8 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Mount Aspiring. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
