Description
Nelson Lakes Day Hike Transport – St Arnaud Range Traverse (Rainbow → St Arnaud)
For the St Arnaud Range shuttle Nelson Lakes, we pick you up in Nelson early morning, drive you to the top of Rainbow Ski Field (high in the alpine zone), then you walk south-to-north across the St Arnaud Range crest to Parachute Rocks Track and down into Saint Arnaud village. Late afternoon we meet you in Saint Arnaud and bring you straight back to Nelson. No second car, no long road walks, no hassle — just solid time in Nelson Lakes high country.
Two ways to use the St Arnaud Range shuttle,Nelson Lakes :
Per-seat scheduled runs – we run occasional day-hike shuttles on set dates. You book a seat; we handle Nelson → Rainbow → St Arnaud → Nelson. See schedule here
Custom group transport – choose your own date and configure the route (overnight, two-day, or your own variation) for your group. Times and pick-up/drop-off points are tailored to your plan.
Common configurations:
Full day hike (most popular): Nelson → Rainbow Ski Field drop-off, tramp to Saint Arnaud, late afternoon pick-up in Saint Arnaud → return to Nelson. Perfect for experienced outdoor enthusiasts who love untracked alpine country (navigation skills with GPX/map/cairns essential).Please see sample schedule for recommended timing
Saint Arnaud group starter: Drive yourselves to Saint Arnaud, hop our group shuttle to Rainbow Ski Field, tramp back to your vehicle in Saint Arnaud. Great for overnight camping trips.
Rainbow group finisher: Get yourselves to Rainbow Ski Field for a pick-up — we’ll get you back to your vehicle in Saint Arnaud.
Custom Transport: Build your own schedule — perhaps a two-day tarn camping adventure, or a relaxed day with a BBQ at Lake Rotoiti and post-hike drinks at The Alpine Lodge before your return trip to Nelson.
Why this beats driving solo:
Starting at Rainbow skips 700m+ of road grind and complicated vehicle logistics — you’re in tussock and tarns from the get-go. Finish at the Alpine Lodge (hot pies, cold drinks), then relax on the ride home. We’ve tested this route ourselves — the ridge views and range flow make it unforgettable, but it’s real alpine walking (make sure you are prepared).
Key details:
For: Fit trampers comfortable with route-finding in open tops.
Duration: 6–8 hours walking (depending on your pace).
What’s included: Shuttle coordination, local route tips, and (for Nelson options) round-trip transport from Nelson.
Limited seats on scheduled runs – BOOK NOW to grab yours. Got questions or a group plan? Use the enquiry tab — we’ll sort the logistics so you focus on the high country.
Find out more about the route on our blog post
Read frequently asked questions here
Important information
This is transport only. The Saint Arnaud Range between Rainbow Ski Field and Saint Arnaud is an unmarked alpine route and requires solid route-finding and backcountry skills.
The service is weather dependent and may be postponed/ cancelled due to severe mountain conditions and/or road issues on the Rainbow Ski Field road.
Want to book this as a Custom Transport Package for up to 9 people?
Please check our availability and use the enquiry tab
