In this episode of The Tramping Life, I head to North Canterbury to tackle one of New Zealand’s classic multi-day tramps: the St James Walkway.

This 66 km route winds through the high country, taking in the Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, the historic St James Station pastoral lease, and Lake Sumner Forest Park. Typically walked over 4–5 days, it’s a tramp of wide open valleys, beech forest, river flats, and two relatively low passes—Ada Pass and Anne Saddle—offering a sense of scale and solitude rare in the South Island.

I share my experience walking the track at the end of March, including the bush-lined river valleys, suspension bridges over Cannibal Gorge, and spectacular viewpoints from Ada Pass. Along the way I spent nights in huts ranging from the quirky triple-decker bunks at Cannibal Gorge Hut to the modern comforts of Anne Hut, spotting local wildlife and even the famous herd of St James horses.