Mount Robertson tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Mountain bike or walk through mature and regenerating forest, with the option to visit the Mt Robertson/Tokomaru summit.

This DOC directory entry covers Mount Robertson tracks in Marlborough, within Blenheim 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: 6.4 or 7.1 km loop
• Walking time: 8-12 hrs return
• 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.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Mount Robertson Loop Track

Time: 8–9 hrDistance: 7.1 km

This is a shared use track that is narrow and technical in places.

You can start from either of the two access points on Port Underwood Road. Most mountain bikers do the loop in an anti-clockwise direction.

The loop climbs through regenerating and mature forest, with an option to walk to the summit on the Mount Robertson Summit Route.

For a longer trip starting from sea level, walk the Rarangi Bay–Whites Bay Track or walk/ride the Black Jack Track to get up to Port Underwood Road where the loop track begins. Note: Rarangi Bay – Whites Bay Track is not suitable for mountain bikes and is a walking track only.

Mountain biking

Grade: 3/Intermediate, 4/Advanced

Pukaka Valley extension

Predominantly ridden downhill as an extension to the loop track, this is extremely narrow and technical in places. Expect other users, particularly walkers coming uphill.

Mountain biking

Grade: 5/Expert

Mount Robertson Summit Route

Time: 4 hr return from Mt Robertson Loop Track junctionDistance: 6.4 km return

The Mount Robertson Summit Route continues from the Mt Robertson Loop Track. Follow the loop track to a junction at about 700 m altitude where the Mount Robertson Summit Route begins.

From here the track follows an obvious ridge to the summit through beech forest. This section of the track takes about two hours. There is no water supply on the track so make sure you take water with you.

At 1,036 m above sea level, Mt Robertson (Tokomaru) dominates the Scenic Reserve to which it gives its name.

Mountain biking

Grade: 3/Intermediate, 4/Advanced

Further mountain biking information

Visit the Marlborough Mountain Bike Club website for further details including the Double Eagle Downhill track.

Getting there

The Mount Robertson Loop Track is well signposted from two access points on the Port Underwood Road.

The Mount Robertson Summit Route is accessed from the loop track.

Know before you go

• Hot, dry conditions and strong, cold winds are common in this area.

• Open fires are not permitted at any of the East Coast reserves and only portable stoves should be used for cooking.

• Watch out for wasps, especially in late summer and autumn.

These are shared-use tracks. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.

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.