Gibbs Hill Track
Located in Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region
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Introduction
Find out about walking and mountain biking on the Gibbs Hill Track in Abel Tasman National Park.Walking and tramping
Advanced: Tramping trackMountain biking
Intermediate: Grade 3Seasonal restrictions
Mountain biking Wainui - Gibbs Hill - Tōtaranui is allowed from 1 May to 30 September
Dog access
Loop: Wainui – Gibbs Hill – Tōtaranui – road back to Wainui
Distance: 23 km
Time: 5 hr (walking); 2 hr 30 min (biking)
If walking, a more pleasant option is to return to Wainui from Tōtaranui using the Abel Tasman Coast Track
Distance: 23 km
Time: 5 hr 30 min (walking)
The circuit is easier to do in a clockwise direction to take advantage of the gentler uphill from Wainui to Gibbs Hill. From Wainui car park follow the Coast Track to the saddle and then turn right up the ridge towards Gibbs Hill. Continue south along the ridge and turn left towards Tōtaranui at the next intersection.
Some sections of this track are steep and slippery in wet weather. It’s 10 km of track from Wainui to Tōtaranui. If biking use the Tōtaranui road for the 13km return to Wainui, walkers can return to Wainui via the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Tōtaranui - Gibbs Hill return
Distance: 9 km
From the Tōtaranui camp office, follow the avenue road and then Abel Tasman Coast Track past the Ngarata Homestead north towards Anapai. At 1.4 km just past the concrete bridge turn left at the start of the Gibbs Hill track. The track crosses a ford before a 3 km long uphill section begins which has steep sections. At the ridge and next intersection, turn right to Gibbs Hill. From the saddle you can follow a narrow track to the summit a few minutes walk away. Great views. Return the same way.
Mountain biking
Mountain biking Wainui - Gibbs Hill - Tōtaranui is allowed from 1 May to 1 October at any time of the day. There is a maximum group size of eight riders.
Gibbs Hill mountain biking brochure (PDF, 85K)
Mountain biking is NOT allowed on other tracks in the area.
This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
The road-ends of Tōtaranui and Wainui are north-east of Takaka. Tōtaranui is 32km from Takaka by road. For the last 13 km the road is unsealed. Wainui is 21 km from Takaka. For the last 2 km, the road is unsealed.
The gate at the camp entrance is locked overnight.
1 October - 31 March opening times: 7.30 am to 8.30 pm
1 April - 30 September opening times: 7.30 am to 6.30 pm
Shared use tracks
Please remember that this track is used by walkers, hunters and mountain bikers.
Gorse
There is gorse next to the track. The native forest is regenerating from historical clearance. Gorse is a nurse crop in the regeneration process. If biking take plenty of patches and/or spare tubes in case of punctures due to gorse thorns.
Stay safe in the outdoors
- Take the right gear for your trip: Walking and tramping gear lists.
- Tell a trusted person your plans and when to raise the alarm if you haven’t returned. Send them the information directly, or use the Outdoor Intentions form or Plan My Walk.
- Follow the five essential steps of the Land Safety Code.
Contacts
| 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 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Postal Address: |
Private Bag 5 Nelson 7042 |
| Full office details | |
| Motueka isite Visitor Information Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 3 528 6543 |
| Email: | info@motuekaisite.co.nz |
| Address: |
20 Wallace Street Motueka 7120 |
| Postal Address: | |
| Full office details | |