15m max drop (2x 30m) 3h30h total duration 1h/1h30/1h approach/descent/return Public land A short canyon with a particularly impressive pitch. Mostly low angle in a bedrock gorge with beautiful blue pools. First descent: Amy Burney, Ben Fletcher, Christian Miller, and Lulu Jordan – November 2025. Thanks to Christian for the topo and images.
Tag: Lewis Pass
Fawn Falls v4a3II**
25m max drop (1x60m rope) 3h15m total (1h/1h30/45m approach/descent/return) Public access A short and fun canyon with some good pitches and jumps. A good adventure, particularly given the reasonably fast approach. First descent Christian Miller, Amy Burney, Conor Handley, Ben Fletcher May 2025. Images courtesy Christian Miller. Topo by Amy, Ben, Conor, and Christian.
Victory Canyon v3a3II**
30m (2x 30m ropes) 1h/1.5h/30min approach/descent/return Public land Short but high quality. Four slotted drops in quick succession. Easy access makesit a worthwhile stop on the way to your next canyoning destination. There’s a strongsmell of sulphur at the put in, so there must be a hot spring nearby! Currently sparsely single-bolted with 8mm galv…
Dugga Dugga Canyon v4a2IV
It hosts some nice abseils and slides but not enough to make it a noteworthy canyon.
Hack Canyon v4a2III*
35m | 5hrs | Public Access
Some great pitches in the flow, of a neat canyon.
Lewis Pass Area
Trovatore Canyon, v4a2III*
50m
5hrs
Public access
Lewis Pass
5 drops in an open, sunny alpine stream.
Sylvia Falls v3a3I*
Highest drop 17m
1hr round trip
Public access
Very short, mostly horizontal gorge with a very beautiful final waterfall.
Waterfall Creek
The canyon was called Waterfall Creek, and terminated directly opposite Maruia hot springs. This was the appeal of the canyon, because if it was a good one you could do a winter mission and then jump into the hot pools at the end! Anyway, it was a three hour slog up the true left side…
Waterfall Creek
There is only 1 major waterfall (which is marked) Otherwise, it is just an open stream. Not worth the effort of accessing it! Download research sheet for Waterfall Creek – Maruia