Image: Ray Salisbury | ©
Porters Creek Hut in the Mount Richmond hills.
Red Hills Route

Located in Nelson Lakes National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region

The Red Hills Route is a challenging backcountry adventure from Mid Wairoa Hut, Wairoa River to Red Hills Hut, Red Hills area.

A trip highlight is the unusual geology and plants of the Red Hills area. This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.

This track starts from Alpine Route.

Mid Wairoa Hut to Top Wairoa Hut

Distance: 8 km
Time: 4 hr 30 min

The track from Mid Wairoa Hut follows the river. It involves a lot of sidling, at times on steep terrain, and eight river crossings. In some areas, erosion on the track presents slippery and/or narrow footholds and extreme care should be taken through here.

Some trampers will find this section challenging. It should not be attempted during periods of heavy rain as the river can rise quickly.

Top Wairoa Hut to Hunters Hut

Distance: 12 km
Time: 6 hr

The track leaves Top Wairoa Hut and climbs through alpine vegetation up to Mt Ellis (1615 m). It’s a great place to stop for lunch, with 360-degree views overlooking Tasman Bay and the Red Hills.

The track then descends to the left branch Motueka river. It follows the river, then crosses it (unbridged) and climbs to Hunters Hut.

Hunters Hut to Porters Creek Hut

Distance: 9 km
Time: 3 hr

The track leaves Hunters Hut and sidles in and out of several gullies, following the edge of the Red Hills ultramafic area before reaching Porters Creek Hut.

Porters Creek Hut to Red Hills Hut

Distance: 11 km
Time: 5 hr

The track drops from Porters Creek Hut into Lowther Creek, then climbs up to a low saddle. After that, it sidles down to the right branch of the Motueka River and crosses it (unbridged). The track then sidles and climbs to the Red Hills Hut.

Two track options from Red Hills Hut

Red Hills Hut to SH63

Distance: 7 km
Time: 3 hr

From Red Hills Hut, follow the 4wd road for 5.5 km down to the grassy flats at the bottom. Don’t go over the locked gate as this is private land. Follow the orange triangle markers southwest for another 1.5 km to the Six Mile car park. From the highway, there are signs saying 'Access to Red Hills Route'.

Continue on Te Araroa Trail

From Red Hills Hut you can continue along Maitland Ridge Mountainbike Track. This takes you towards Beebys Knob Road. The track descends off the ridge on Te Araroa Trail to meet Tophouse Road near the Lowther Road turnoff.

The trails around Red Hills and Beebys are shared-use tracks, with trampers and mountain bikers.

More about Beeby's Knob tracks

The Red Hills Route starts at Mid Wairoa Hut and ends at SH63.

Many people start the Red Hills Route at the end of the Alpine Route, which finishes at Mid Wairoa Hut.

Nearest road access to Mid Wairoa Hut

Distance: 10 km
Time: 4 hr 30 min

The nearest road access to Mid Wairoa Hut is from Wairoa Gorge Mountain Bike Park. The road end is a 34 km drive via Brightwater up Wairoa Gorge Road. The last 14 km is over a rough gravel road. It is possible to park at the road end, at the first locked gate.

What to expect

The Red Hills Route is a challenging backcountry route, graded as expert level. You can expect:

  • the track to be unformed, with steep and rough sections and unbridged river crossings. You will need to follow markers, poles and cairns to stay on the route
  • river crossings to be impassable after rain
  • freezing temperatures, wind and snow in alpine sections at any time of the year.

To attempt this track, you need to:

  • have plenty of experience tramping in remote backcountry places and navigating on unformed tracks
  • know how to cross rivers safely – and be able to judge when it is not safe to cross
  • have survival skills and the gear you need to be completely self-sufficient.

Gear list

As this is a very remote location with no cell phone reception, you will need a distress beacon. 

Multi-day tramp gear list

It's likely you will be delayed during your trip, for example, if you need to wait for river levels to drop before crossing. Pack:

  • spare food, and an
  • emergency shelter, for example a tent or fly

These help to make sure you're ready for an extra night out or sheltering while waiting for river levels to drop.

Mountain biking not recommended

While mountain biking is permitted on the track, it is not recommended. The grade is Extreme: Grade 6 and you would likely be carrying your bike more than riding it. There is a high risk of multiple punctures.

Large number of wasps

There are large numbers of wasps in Wairoa Valley between January and April. Pack antihistamines and consider carrying an EpiPen.

The track traverses a mixture of beech forest, alpine tussock lands and ultramafic rock. This rock is quite barren, with sparse and stunted vegetation due to the high mineral content.

Situated at the southwestern edge of the Mount Richmond Forest Park, the Red Hills are a unique ultramafic geological area composed of very dense magnesium-rich rocks which have been thrust up at least 10 km or more from below the earth’s crust.

The soils derived from these magnesium-rich rocks are too toxic for tree growth so much of the area is covered in distinctive scrub and tussock.

There is evidence of early Māori occupation with numerous argillite quarries. This ultramafic area runs from Ben Nevis in the north around 20 km south to State Highway 63.