Mount Arthur Summit Route: Walking Guide, Time & Access

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Location & access

DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.

Official location information

Location source

DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.

Reference point: -41.20379, 172.70514. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.

DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.

Key facts

Distance: 9.2 km one way return via same track
Walking time: 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr 30 min one way
Track grade: Expert
Location: Kahurangi National Park / Mount Arthur area
Dog access: No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.

Route overview

Climb to the top of Mt Arthur (1795 m) for panoramic views.

This DOC directory entry covers Mount Arthur Summit Route in Tasman, within Kahurangi National Park / Mount Arthur area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

Distance: 9.2 km one way return via same track
Walking time: 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr 30 min one way
DOC grade: Expert

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.

4WD recommended to access Flora car park up Graham Valley Road; First published on 13 July 2025. Last reviewed on 29 September 2026.
Predator control in Cobb area of Kahurangi National Park; First published on 15 May 2026. Last reviewed on 1 July 2026.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Flora car park to Mt Arthur Hut

Time: 1 hr 30 minDistance: 4.2 km

Follow the Mt Arthur Hut Walk from Flora car park to Mt Arthur Hut.

Mt Arthur Hut to Mt Arthur

Time: 2 - 3 hrDistance: 5 km

From Mt Arthur Hut, a marked route follows the Wharepapa/Arthur Range and offers panoramic views and a good look at the rock formations that make this mountain special.

Aside from a small patch of bush above the hut, the summit route is an exposed, alpine environment the entire way. Extreme weather (including high wind, low visibility, freezing temperatures and rain/snow) is common, so this trip is best done in good weather.

The route climbs from Mt Arthur Hut onto a ridge, with marker poles showing the way. The route undulates then climbs more steeply above the side of Horseshoe Basin. Around halfway to the summit, you will reach a junction – a route from here leads across Horseshoe Basin and Pyramid Ridge, towards Gordons Pyramid and the Tablelands.

Continue on the Mt Arthur Summit Route. The route drops to a saddle, then climbs steeply towards Winter Peak (1750m). Just below Winter Peak you will come to another track junction – from here, the Ellis Basin Route drops down to Ellis Hut.

The Mt Arthur Summit Route skirts around the back of Winter Peak, then climbs steeply to the Mt Arthur Summit – expect to be scrambling up rocky terrain.

The Mt Arthur Summit is spacious and has spectacular views.

Getting there

Flora car park is 75 km from Nelson and 36 km from Motueka.

The Motueka Valley Highway links Nelson and Motueka. Turn off this road at Ngātīmoti and cross the Motueka River. Turn left onto Motueka River West Bank Road, then right into Graham Valley Road, which climbs steeply to the car park. The last 5.8 km is unsealed and turning a vehicle on the road can be difficult. 4WD is recommended at all times of the year.

Know before you go

Expect extreme weather, check the forecast and pack well

This is an alpine environment and it is common to get very high wind, low visibility, strong rain/snow and cold temperatures.

Check the forecast before you go: Mt Arthur weather forecast - NIWA website

Regardless of the forecast, pack plenty of warm clothes and a waterproof raincoat.

Carry lots of drinking water

There are no water sources after Mt Arthur Hut and no shelter from the sun along the track. Carry lots of drinking water, we recommend 2-3L per person.

Care needed

This is tricky terrain with drop-offs, caves and sinkholes – take care and stay on the track

Mt Arthur is a karst landscape. Care is required around the many bluffs, sinkholes and caves. We recommend staying on the track. If you do plan to go off track, be very careful as it can be hard to spot sinkholes and caves.

Wear sturdy footwear, as you will be walking over some sections of scree, scrambling up rocks and passing steep drop-offs.

You need mountaineering skills and equipment in winter

There will likely be snow on the route in winter. We recommend that people only attempt this route in winter if they have mountain experience, snowcraft skills and equipment.

Be aware that there can be small avalanches below the Mt Arthur Summit.

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.