Image: Amanda Edmonds | DOC
View from the top of a mountain looking down at smaller hills and seeing hills off in the distance.
Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway

Located in Banks Peninsula area and Christchurch area in the Canterbury region

Enjoy magnificent views over Banks Peninsula, the Canterbury plains, Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean on this track, which is about an hour's drive from Christchurch.

The following description covers the walkway from Kaituna Valley to Hilltop, but other access and exit points are possible. These are noted where relevant.

Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway links Kaituna Valley in the Lyttelton crater to Hilltop in the Akaroa crater. It follows a long high ridgeline that includes Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki, the highest point on Banks Peninsula.

The track can be completed as a one-way walk most of the year. Part of the track is closed during lambing.

Kaituna Valley Packhorse Hut Track

Time: 1 hr 20 min
Distance: 4 km

The Kaituna Valley Packhorse Hut Track is a well signposted track that passes through a farm, following vehicle tracks up a native bush-filled valley.

The track ambles through pasture and then forest, crossing the valley stream several times. In the summer you can use stepping stones to cross, but be prepared to get wet feet if the stream is up after rain.

The track eventually climbs steeply onto a big spur. It then follows the open spur for some distance before reaching a farm track through the Parkinsons Bush Reserve. This leads to the saddle and the historic stone Packhorse Hut, well situated for the views. Packhorse Hut makes a great place for a sheltered lunch stop if completing this walk in a day. or an exciting nights’ stay for families or those travelling the Te Ara Pātaka track

There are great views along the track of Kaitorete Spit and the South Coast, also Lyttelton Harbour, Quail island and the Port Hills.

Mountain biking is not allowed. An alternative route from Gebbies Pass, managed by Christchurch City Council, may have diversions in place during lambing. Please follow all signage and detours.

When crossing farmland where animals are present, please do not touch the animals including lambs and calves, and give all animals plenty of space.  

Sign of the Packhorse Hut to Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki summit

Time: 2–3 hr
Distance: 6.5 km

Packhorse Hut to Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki summit track crosses the Sign of the Packhorse Scenic Reserve with many young, regenerating lancewood trees.

Head east through the top of the Sign of the Packhorse Scenic Reserve through many young, regenerating horoeka/lancewood trees. The track emerges from the reserve into open country and zig-zags steeply up the side of Mount Bradley, climbing 300 m. This is the toughest part of the track, but you will be rewarded with wonderful views back down towards Packhorse Hut and the Kaituna Valley. After the last zig-zag the track heads east, skirting below the mountain's rocky massif through gorse, bush and regenerating scrub – you will have to pick over some rocky patches.

The track emerges at a fence line on the pass between Mount Bradley and Mount Herbert. Cross at the stile and carry straight on near the fence. You will soon join a farm track; stay on the main track when a side track branches off to Orton Bradley Park. The Mount Herbert Shelter is a short distance along and has a toilet and water.

From the shelter, return to the farm track. Turn right after about 400 m, up a smaller track that leads through gorse to the Mount Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki summit. If you miss this turnoff, there is another opportunity to reach the summit when the track from Te Waipapa/DiamondHarbour joins.

There are stunning views from here on a good day. On a cloudy day it can be misty and confusing so watch closely for the track markers, which are closer together on this section.

Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki summit to Port Levy Saddle

Time: 2 hr 30 min
Distance: 5.7 km

Track closed for lambing 8 August to 15 October. Mountain biking is not allowed on this section.

From the summit of Mount Herbert, head south-east along the plateau through tussock grassland to reach the summit of ‘Little Mount Herbert’. Take great care in misty weather to follow the orange markers along the 1 km plateau between the two summits. You may encounter cattle grazing along the way. Give them space as you walk.

From ‘Little Mount Herbert’, carry on south-east down a steep tussock slope, to pick up the marked farm track. This is punctuated by pine forest and old stands of remnant tōtara. It then drops to the Port Levy saddle car park on Western Valley Road.

Port Levy saddle is at the top of Western Valley Road. This steep, narrow gravel road connects Little River to Port Levy. It's not suitable for campervans or towing vehicles, and can be difficult for 2WD vehicles after heavy rain

There is a parking area here providing easy access to Rod Donald Hut or Mount Herbert. If you're doing the track in reverse – Port Levy Saddle to Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki summit.

Port Levy saddle to Rod Donald Hut

Time: 50 min
Distance: 2.5 km

Port Levy saddle to Rod Donald Hut takes you through beautiful old growth tōtara forest at Waipuna Saddle and on to Rod Donald Hut. You can prebook this hut for an overnight stay or visit as a day walk.

Cross Western Valley Road and follow the marked track to Waipuna Saddle. There is a beautiful old growth tōtara forest at Waipuna Saddle. This is on private land, but the landowner permits you to visit it. Respect this very special place.

Rod Donald Hut is down a side track and takes about 25 min to walk to from the Waipuna Saddle. This section of the track is accessible by mountain bike, but bikes are best left at the top of the Rod Donald Hut track.

The Rod Donald Hut is on private land belonging to the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust and protected by a QEII National Trust covenant. As with Packhorse Hut, bunks must be pre-booked through this website, but day walkers are welcome to visit.

Mountain biking is allowed on this section but bikes are best left at the top of the Rod Donald Hut Track. 

Rod Donald Hut to Hilltop Hotel via Montgomery Reserve

Time: 6 hr
Distance: 14.3 km

Rod Donald Hut to Hilltop Hotel via Montgomery Reserve takes you through Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve onto Summit Road.

The track crosses private farmland – respect this and keep to the track.

From Rod Donald Hut, climb back up the access track to reach Waipuna Saddle. Then head east following the marked farm track through the tōtara graveyard, pasture and several DOC reserves.

Mountain bikers leave the main track briefly to bypass the narrow rocky track through Mount Fitzgerald, and take an easier farm track.

Soon after the Whatarangi Totara Scenic Reserve, the track diverges again. Walkers should head up to Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve and walk directly to Hilltop Tavern. The reserve track is steep and rocky, so take care and enjoy the beautiful forest including a giant tōtara, thought to be up to 2,000 years old.

The track emerges from the reserve onto Summit Road. Keep children close and take extreme care to look and listen for vehicles as you cross the road. 

Mountain biking is allowed on this section, but is not allowed in Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve. Follow the farm track to Pettigrews Road. Turn right at the end to reach the Summit Road, and right again to ride along the Summit Road to the Hilltop.

Topo 50 map

BX24 and BX25.

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is allowed on some sections of Te Ara Pātaka:

Gebbies Pass to Packhorse Hut – grade 4.

Port Levy Saddle to Hilltop Hotel – grade 3.

  • Bikers must enter or exit via Pettigrews Road.
  • No mountain bikes are permitted in the Montgomery Reserve.

Bookings

Bookings are required to stay at the huts.

Book Packhorse and Rod Donald huts online.  

Car

Te Ara Pātaka is best accessed by car. It's best to leave a car at each end of the track.

It's around a 50 minutes drive from Christchurch to Gebbies Pass, or 1 hour 15 minutes to Hilltop as the roads are steep and windy.

If parking at Hilltop, leave vehicles at the furthest end of the car park from the tavern itself.

Public transport

Connecting tracks enable shorter loop walks, and public transport is available from Te Waipapa/Diamond Harbour and Hilltop Tavern.

There are shuttle services between Christchurch and Akaroa that can stop or pick up at Hilltop Tavern on request. If you book to catch the bus at the end of your walk at Hilltop, let them know to call at the Tavern. Be there 15 min after the bus departure time from Akaroa. There is also an on-demand shuttle from Pohatu.

It's an excellent 2-day trip using public transport starting at Diamond Harbour jetty, staying overnight at Rod Donald Hut, and catching a shuttle from Hilltop Tavern back to Christchurch.

Alternative access

You can also reach Te Ara Pātaka via several connecting tracks, including the following:

The track can be picked up at Port Levy saddle, via Western Valley Road. Drive carefully. This unsealed road is winding, rough, steep and narrow. After heavy rain it may be passable only by 4WD vehicles.

Pettigrews Road is an entry/exit for mountain bikes.

More information on alternate access routes.

The track is suitable for people with moderate backcountry skills and experience. It's rough and steep in places.

Although the walkway is easily accessible the weather can change quickly, and it can be very cold and exposed on the tops. The track is exposed to all weathers. It can be windy, cold and prone to low cloud in poor weather.

Make sure you are well equipped, with layered clothing and a water/wind-proof jacket.

Drinking water and toilets are only available at the huts and the Mt Herbert shelter – you must take water with you.

All tracks cross private farmland, so keep on the marked tracks and respect the working operations on the farms. Leave gates as you find them, taking extra care in large groups.

Mountain bikes are restricted to some tracks only. Firearms, motor vehicles or fires are also not allowed anywhere on this land.

Take care near stinging nettle

Urtica ferox (ongaonga) is an endemic stinging nettle and common in this area. Take care not to touch these plants as they have a very strong sting. Ongaonga are an important host plant of Vanessa gonerilla (kahukura), the endemic red admiral butterfly.