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Hacket road-end, Mount Richmond Forest Park
54.4 km
108 hours
4529 metres
Safety notice: Conditions change; check DOC/local council/weather before walking.
If you are looking for a journey that truly tests your mettle while showcasing the raw, untamed beauty of the upper South Island, the Mt Richmond Alpine Route is calling your name. This isn’t your average weekend stroll; it’s a high-stakes, high-reward backcountry epic that traverses the rugged spine of the Mount Richmond Forest Park. Forming a legendary section of the Te Araroa Trail, this 54.4km point-to-point mission is widely regarded as one of the most challenging sections of the entire national walkway.
Your adventure begins at the Hacket road-end in the tranquil Aniseed Valley. The initial phase of the tramp is almost deceptive in its beauty. You’ll follow the Hacket Track, winding through a lush mosaic of pine forest and verdant native bush. The trail hugs the Hacket Creek, and the sound of rushing water provides a soothing soundtrack to your first few kilometres. However, keep your wits about you; recent extreme weather events have left their mark on this section. You’ll need to navigate several slips and washouts where the track has been compromised, requiring a bit of nimble footwork and a keen eye for the best line.
Once you pass the six-bunk Hacket Hut, the gloves come off. The "Alpine" in the route's name begins to earn its keep. You’ll begin a punishing ascent through beech forest that seems to get steeper with every step. As the trees begin to stunt and thin, you’ll eventually burst through the bushline and onto the tops. This is where the world opens up.
The terrain transforms into a high-altitude playground of tussock tops, jagged rocky crags, and expansive scree slopes. From here on out, the route is marked by poles rather than a worn path. You’ll be traversing the ridges of the Richmond Range, a place where the wind has a voice and the views are nothing short of cinematic. The journey takes you over a series of formidable peaks: Mt Starveall (1511m), the daunting Little Rintoul (1643m), and the crown jewel of the range, Mt Rintoul (1731m).
The climb to the summit of Mt Rintoul is the literal and figurative high point of the trip. It involves a demanding 250m scramble up steep rocky walls and across narrow, broken sections of ridge. It is exposed, it is physical, and it requires a head for heights. But standing on that summit, with the world dropping away on either side, you’ll understand exactly why people put themselves through this. The descent towards the Wairoa Valley brings its own set of challenges, including multiple river crossings that can become impassable after heavy rain. This is a 4-to-5-day commitment that demands respect, preparation, and a true sense of adventure.
Parking is available at the signposted Hacket Track car park on Aniseed Valley Road. To reach it from Richmond, head south on State Highway 6, turn left onto Aniseed Valley Road, and follow it for approximately 11.5 km (about 15 minutes) until you see the DOC sign indicating the turnoff to the gravel driveway leading to the car park. Toilets are available at the car park.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round
Anthornis melanura
Endemic songbird with bell-like calls. Males are olive-green with a purple head sheen; females are browner with a narrow white-yellow stripe across the cheek.
Best time: Year-round
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Point to point
The Mt Richmond Alpine Route is a highlight reel of New Zealand’s "hidden" backcountry. While it doesn't get the fame of the Great Walks, its features are just as spectacular, if not more so for their isolation.
To find the trailhead, you’ll need to head to the Hacket Track car park on Aniseed Valley Road.
If you’re coming from Richmond, drive south on State Highway 6 for a few minutes. Turn left onto Aniseed Valley Road and follow it for approximately 11.5 km (about a 15-minute drive). The road is scenic and winds through rural landscape before reaching the forest park boundary. Look for the Department of Conservation (DOC) sign indicating the turnoff to a gravel driveway that leads to the car park.
There is ample parking available, and you’ll find toilets at the road-end—worth using before you shoulder your pack for the long haul! Since this is a point-to-point track, you will need to arrange a shuttle or a car drop-off at the other end (typically the Wairoa Valley or Goulter River area, depending on your specific itinerary).
While the high alpine environment can be harsh, it is home to some of New Zealand’s most iconic avian residents.
In the lower forest sections around Hacket Creek, keep an ear out for the heavy wing-beats of the Kererū (New Zealand pigeon) and the melodic chiming of the Tūī and Bellbird. The cheeky Fantail (Pīwakawaka) will likely follow you along the lower sections of the track, darting through the air to catch the insects you disturb.
As you climb higher, the birdlife changes. You might be lucky enough to spot the Kākā, a large, forest-dwelling parrot known for its boisterous calls. If you are incredibly quiet and observant near the mountain streams, you might even catch a rare glimpse of the Whio (Blue Duck), a national treasure that lives in fast-flowing white water.
Up on the alpine tops, look for the New Zealand Pipit (Pihoihoi), which often flits among the tussocks. Unlike many other tracks, you won't find many Kea here, but the sheer isolation of the Richmonds means the birds you do see feel like your only companions in the wilderness.
The Mount Richmond Forest Park holds a special place in the Nelson-Marlborough region. For Māori, these ranges were a source of pakohe (argillite), a hard stone used for making tools and weapons, which was traded across the country. The ruggedness of the terrain meant that only the most skilled travellers moved through these heights.
Geologically, the area is fascinating. The Richmond Range is part of the Alpine Fault system, and you’ll notice a distinct change in rock types as you move across the ridges. Near the Hacket road-end, you aren't far from the "Mineral Belt," a unique strip of ultramafic rock (like that found on nearby Dun Mountain) that creates a "moonscape" effect where very little vegetation can grow due to high metal concentrations in the soil.
Today, the Alpine Route is a badge of honour for Kiwi trampers. It represents the "old school" style of New Zealand tramping—rugged, unpolished, and intensely rewarding.
After 50+ kilometres and over 4500 metres of elevation gain, you will have earned a serious meal. Once you’ve completed your shuttle back to Richmond, there are a few local favourites where you can refuel:
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Endemic New Zealand honeyeater with distinctive white throat tuft and iridescent plumage. Known for its complex and beautiful song.
Best time: Year-round
Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
An endangered native duck uniquely adapted to fast-flowing rivers, often seen foraging among the rocks.
Best time: Year-round
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Small insectivorous bird with distinctive fan-shaped tail. Friendly and curious, often following walkers through the bush.
Best time: Year-round
Nestor meridionalis
Large forest parrot found in native bush. Loud and social, increasingly common in predator-controlled sanctuaries.
Best time: Year-round