Tableland Circuit: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Rock shelters, an open tussock plateau and tops with superb views combine to make this an interesting overnight tramp.

This DOC directory entry covers Tableland Circuit 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: 28 km loop
• Walking time: 9 – 10 hr loop
• 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.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Starting from the Flora car park, the Tableland Circuit is a strenuous and exposed overnight route.

Easier overnight walking options which are good for children can be found on the Salisbury Track.

Flora car park to Salisbury Lodge

From the Flora car park it is a 4 hr (14 km) walk to Salisbury Lodge via the Salisbury Track.

Salisbury Lodge – Gordons Pyramid – Mt Arthur Hut – Flora car park

From Salisbury Lodge, the route is strenuous and exposed, requiring good visibility. It is a 5 – 6 hr walk (14 km) from the lodge to the car park via the route.

From Salisbury Lodge walk back to the Gordons Pyramid signpost. Follow the track through forest up to the bush line.

A marked route then leads over Gordons Pyramid (1489 m) and follows a defined ridge before dropping into Horseshoe Basin.

From here, the route climbs up to the ridge above Mt Arthur Hut, then through forest to Flora car park.

Side trip: Cloustons Mine

The old Cloustons Mine can also be accessed from this route by dropping down to the bush line from the top of Gordons Pyramid and following the track markers.

Lake Peel Track

The Tableland Circuit connects with Lake Peel Track. From Salisbury Lodge, it is possible to walk to the Cobb Dam Road and Cobb River Campsite via Lake Peel.

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

No water from Salisbury Lodge

There is no water on the route from Salisbury Lodge. Make sure to carry enough with you.

Weather and visibility

Keep to the lower Flora valley in poor weather. The route requires good visibility.

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.