Red Hills Route
Located in Nelson Lakes National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region
Introduction
The Red Hills Route is a challenging backcountry adventure from Mid Wairoa Hut, Wairoa River to Red Hills Hut, Red Hills area.Highlights
A trip highlight is the unusual geology and plants of the Red Hills area. This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.
40 km one way
Dog access
Mid Wairoa Hut to Top Wairoa Hut
Distance: 8 km
Time: 4 hr 30 min
The track starts at Mid Wairoa Hut and follows the Wairoa River through a steep-sided bush covered valley. There are several unbridged river crossings on this section of the track. The Wairoa River can rise rapidly in wet weather and is very dangerous to cross when flooding.
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.
The Red Hills Route starts at Mid Wairoa Hut and ends at Red Hills Hut in the Mount Richmond Forest Park. To reach the track from a road end, you will need additional walking time.
The nearest road access to Mid Wairoa Hut is from Wairoa Gorge Mountain Bike Park (10 km, 4.5 hours from road end to Mid Wairoa Hut). 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.
Many people start the Red Hills Route at the end of the Alpine Route, which finishes at Mid Wairoa Hut.
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.
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.
Your safety is your responsibility
- Take the right gear to keep yourself safe on your tramp.
- Tell someone your plans using the Outdoors Intentions form including when to raise the alarm if you haven't returned.
- Follow the five essential steps of the Safety Code.
Contacts
| Rotoiti / Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 3 521 1806 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | nelsonlakesvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
View Road St Arnaud |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 55 St Arnaud 7053 |
| Full office details | |
| Whakatū / Nelson Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 3 546 9339 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 79 Trafalgar Street Nelson 7010 |
| Postal Address: |
Private Bag 5 Nelson 7042 |
| Full office details | |