Lewis Pass
SH 7Hanmer Springs junction to Springs Junction · Canterbury / West Coast
Distance60.2mi · 97 km
Drive time1 h 55 minon the road
DifficultyModerate
MountainForestValley
The northernmost Southern Alps crossing, sweeping through unbroken beech forest on SH7.
State Highway 7 climbs from the Hanmer Springs turnoff through river valleys and into the Lewis Pass National Scenic Reserve, the most northerly of the three main road passes over the Southern Alps. The road is sealed and flowing rather than savage, curving through extensive native beech forest with the option of a short walk to a tarn near the summit. It then descends to Springs Junction on the West Coast side. Mind winter ice and snow that can require chains, narrow sections with few passing places, and wandering wildlife at dawn and dusk.
Where it runs
Hanmer Springs junctionStart · Canterbury / West Coast
Springs JunctionEnd · New Zealand
Character
Corners60bends
Tightness4of 10
Max gradient9%≈ 1-in-11
Hairpins1tight bends
Climb960 mtotal ascent
Summit995 mhighest point · 3264 ft
SpringSummerAutumn
Elevation
685 m rangeKnow before you go
- Winter ice and snow
- Few passing places
- Wildlife at dusk
Sources
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Lewis Pass.
