Mt Nimrod Track : Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Walk to a cascading waterfall and enjoy gorgeous views out to the coast.

This DOC directory entry covers **Mt Nimrod Track ** in Canterbury, within Hunters Hills 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: 3 km loop
• Walking time: 2 - 3 hrs
• 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

This track has great views and a waterfall that plummets through a rock arch. From the campground, take the bridge across Nimrod Stream where the loop track takes you on an anti-clockwise circuit of the reserve. Initially it climbs steeply up out of the forest to a lookout point which gives good views out to the coast.

The track then drops sharply down to Nimrod Stream which has to be forded. A short detour upstream (watch out for slippery rocks) takes you to a pretty 15 m waterfall cascading through a small rock arch. From here the track climbs again to rocky knolls with great views out over the reserve to the coast. The track then drops back through the forest to the car park.

Getting there

Mt Nimrod Scenic Reserve is on the eastern side of The Hunters Hills. It is 32 km southwest of Tīmaru and 43 km northwest of Waimate. The reserve is spread over the deep and spectacular gorges of Nimrod Stream and White Rock River.

From Tīmaru follow State Highway 1 south for approximately 10 km. Turn right onto Pareora River Road and follow for 16 km past the Pareora Hut settlement onto Pareora Gorge Road. After 5 km turn left onto Limestone Road, then onto Motukaika Road. Follow for 11 km then turn right at the T-junction onto Back Line Road. After 2 km, turn left into Mt Nimrod Road. Follow the DOC signs and carry straight on into the reserve. Do not turn left as it is a private driveway for Mt Nimrod farm.

Know before you go

The Hunter Hills Conservation Area track branches off from the Mt Nimrod Reserve track. The 5 km easement provides access to the Hunter Hills Conservation Area which includes Mt Nimrod.

The track is steep and uneven in places and may not be suitable for some people.

Hunters may be present in the reserve between 1 May to 30 September.

Nature and conservation

This area was recognised as important for its birdlife as early as 1891. In 1897 the bush was reported to be thick and almost impenetrable, however burning, logging and stock grazing has changed the original forest cover. In 1932 the area was gazetted as a scenic reserve.

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 published in DOC's official route gallery with an explicit reuse licence. Its original caption and credit are retained; it does not establish current track conditions.