Gibbs Hill Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

The Gibbs Hill Track crosses Abel Tasman National Park inland between Wainui and Tōtaranui.

This DOC directory entry covers Gibbs Hill Track in Tasman, within Abel Tasman National Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
• DOC grade: Advanced

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Seasonal restrictions

Mountain biking Wainui - Gibbs Hill - Tōtaranui is allowed from 1 May to 30 September

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

There are several walking and biking options for the Gibbs Hill Track.

Loop: Wainui – Gibbs Hill – Tōtaranui – road back to Wainui

Distance: 23 km Time: 5 hr 30 min (walking); 2 hr 30 min (biking)

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 where there are great views. Return the same way.

Mountain biking

Mountain biking Wainui - Gibbs Hill - Tōtaranui is allowed from 1 May to 30 September at any time of the day. There is a maximum group size of eight riders.

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.

Getting there

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 pm1 April - 30 September opening times: 7.30 am to 6.30 pm

Know before you go

Shared use tracks

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.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.