Mt Fishtail Route

Pine Valley Road to Pine Valley Hut site

Time: 40 min
Distance: 2 km 

Follow the Pine Valley Track to Mill Flat Campsite and on to the site of the old Pine Valley Hut.

Pine Valley Hut site to Fishtail Hut

Time: 5 hr
Distance: 7 km

Continue past the Pine Valley Hut site and take the track up the ridge above to Fishtail Hut.

Fishtail Hut to Mt Fishtail summit (1643 m)

Time: 1 hr

5 km north of Renwick, just over the Wairau River bridge, turn off SH6 onto Northbank Road. Follow this for 25 km then turn into Pine Valley Road and follow this to the end.

Safety: Bad weather can occur at any time, so be prepared with warm and waterproof clothing and extra food. Snow, wind and fog are hazards of the open tops. Make sure you have enough experience for your trip. Always fill in hut books and ensure someone knows your intentions.

Flooding: In normal flows unbridged streams and rivers can be crossed, however in flood they can become impassable and you will need to be prepared to wait until flood waters recede.

Wasps are a known hazard and are particularly common from December until April. Carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings.

Drinking water: Water should be carried in dry conditions – there is a river/creek at the bottom but this water becomes scarce further up, especially in summer. The purity of drinking water in Mount Richmond Forest Park can't be guaranteed – if you doubt the quality of any water source you should boil, filter or chemically treat it.