The Ghost Run
Follow in the footsteps of gold miners and adventurers as you run one of New Zealand’s legendary backcountry trails. The Old Ghost Road stretches through rugged valleys, towering mountain passes, native bush, and remote ridgelines. It’s a wild and unforgettable journey across the South Island’s West Coast. Across three days you’ll cover all sections of this 85km trail, experiencing sweeping views, hidden history, and the raw beauty of Aotearoa’s backcountry. Evenings are spent in cosy huts where good food, great company, and a shared sense of achievement bring the group together. This is more than a run – it’s a story written in every step, every climb, every view hard-earned along the trail.
Tour Highlights
- •Run New Zealand’s most iconic multi-day backcountry trail – The Old Ghost Road
- •Three epic days covering alpine ridgelines, deep valleys, and wild West Coast bush
- •Stay in two of the trail’s most spectacular huts: Ghost Lake Hut & Specimen Point Hut
- •Experience gold-mining history, swing bridges, and the famed Skyline Steps
- •Heli-dropped supplies on Day 1 – lighter packs, bigger smiles
- •Small group adventure with like-minded runners
- •Stunning sunset and sunrise views high above the valleys
- •Celebrate your achievement at the northern trailhead in Seddonville
What's Included
- ✓3 days guided trail running on The Old Ghost Road
- ✓2 nights accommodation in huts (Ghost Lake & Specimen Point)
- ✓1 night motel style accommodation in Murchison
- ✓All meals as per itinerary (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners)
- ✓Luggage/food drop by helicopter to Ghost Lake hut
- ✓Return transport from Christchurch (Day 1) and back from Seddonville (Day 4)
- ✓Daily safety briefings and experienced guides
- ✓Hydration and running snacks
- ✓Support with logistics, meal prep, and group gear
Itinerary
Day 1: Meet & Transfer to Murchison
Your adventure begins in Christchurch with an afternoon meet-up and group transfer to Murchison (about 3.5 hours) - the gateway to the Old Ghost Road. We aim to arrive before 5.30pm to give us time to settle in, try out the local tavern and have a little brief for tomorrow's adventure kicks off.
Day 2: Lyell Carpark to Ghost Lake Hut
Your adventure begins with a short 1 hour transfer to the Lyell Carpark, the gateway to the Old Ghost Road. From here, the trail climbs steadily through lush podocarp and beech forest, past historic gold-mining relics and across suspension bridges, before breaking into open alpine ridgelines. The reward? One of New Zealand’s most spectacular backcountry huts, Ghost Lake Hut, perched high above the valleys with panoramic sunset views. To keep packs light on this first big climb, our supplies will be dropped in by heli - the High Country UberEats! That means you’ll only carry essentials, and we’ll share a hearty group dinner as the sun dips behind the mountains.
Day 3: Ghost Lake Hut to Specimen Point Hut
After breakfast, pack your gear and lunch for two big days ahead. Today is an epic journey across the very heart of the Old Ghost Road. Expect undulating ridgelines, the famed Skyline Steps, and long descents into wild river valleys. This is true backcountry - remote, rugged, and incredibly rewarding. We finish beside the mighty Mokihinui River at Specimen Point Hut. Dinner tonight is classic high-country hut fare - carried in by the group and shared in the spirit of adventure.
Day 4: Specimen Point Hut to Seddonville
Our final morning follows the Mokihinui River Gorge, with fast, flowing single track framed by sheer cliffs, swing bridges, and dense West Coast bush. This gentler run allows time to soak up the wild beauty before reaching the northern trailhead in Seddonville. From here, we’ll have time to relax, soak up a little more of the stunning West Coast before we make our way back to Christchurch - tired legs, full hearts, and stories to last a lifetime.