Mt Richmond, Northbank tramping tracks
Track category
Tramping track
Description
Pine Valley/Mt Fishtail
View of Mt Fishtail as seen from
the summit of Mt Richmond
From the carpark at the end of Pine Valley Road, a 20 minutes walking track follows the river through native forest. For a longer walk, continue for 5 hours to Fishtail Hut, 1 hour below Mt Fishtail.
Lake Chalice
Time: 2 - 5 hr return
A 1 hour tramping track leads from Chalice Car Park, on Staircase Road, down to Lake Chalice Hut. Allow more time for the return journey. From the hut, a tramping track encircles the lake (2 hours 30 minutes).
Mt Patriarch
Time: 5 hr one way
In about 5 hours, you can walk from Chalice Car Park to Mt Patriarch, following a 7 km 4WD track and then a marked route. Not for suitable for inexperienced or unfit trampers.
Mt Sunday/Mt Riley
Time: 8 hr return
To get to the start of this track, turn right into Briggs Road before the Onamalutu Domain, then right again into Davies Road.
Chalice-Goulter Track
Time: 2 - 3 days one way
This track from Lake Chalice to the end of North Bank Road follows various river valleys. You need to arrange transport between the start and finish points.
Mt Richmond
Time: 11 hr or 6 hr one way
Mt Richmond can be approached from either Top Valley Stream (6 hours from Jubilee Flat) or Timms Creek (11 hours). It is possible to climb it in a day from the Top Valley side. A good level of fitness is essential. The Timms/Top Valley circuit makes a good weekend trip.
Other routes
Marked and unmarked routes lead up to the Richmond Range from Goulter Valley and Lake Chalice. These make various circuits possible. You need good fitness and route-finding experience.
Getting there
The northbank of Wairau River provides access to Mt Richmond Forest Park.
To get to this part of the forest park, turn off State Highway 6, just north of the Wairau River Bridge, 16 km from Blenheim.
There is no scheduled public transport available.
Plan and prepare
- Snow, wind, and fog are hazards on the tops.
- Be prepared with warm, waterproof clothing and extra food.
- Only undertake the Chalice-Goulter Track or the Mt Patriarch Track if you are an experienced and fit tramper.
- Only light fires in hut fireplaces.
- Rivers can rise quickly; do not cross when they are swollen.
- Boil, filter, or treat water for drinking.
- Always use the intentions books.
Mt Richmond Forest Park access
Check if the access roads to Mt Richmond Forest Park are open.
Order a parkmap
Download an order form for the Mt Richmond Forest Park parkmap (PDF, 48K). The parkmap costs $18.99 plus postage and handling.
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