Mt Royal
- 1 day return by the same track
- Easy/medium
Park at camp ground, walk Quartz Creek to track start, follow spur up to saddle, then above the tree line to the top. You can continue on to Wakamarina Roadend instead of returning (this track description assumes a return). Views of Mt Fishtail, Mt Richmond, Mt Taranaki, Wairau Valley, Mt Arthur, etc. Classed as a route, but regular markers in bush - no poled route above the treeline.
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Walking time
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1 day
7 hr – 9 hr
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Distance
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17.0km |
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Type
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Return by the same track
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Grade
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Easy/medium
Great first walk/climb. Grades explained
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Bookings
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No bookings — open access
No — open access
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Starts
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At the old hut camping ground, off Bartlett's Rd |
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Ends
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At the summit |
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Maps
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NZTopo50-BQ27
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Altitude
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220m
–
1,365m
Altitude change 1,145m
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Link
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www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-marlborough/south-marlborough/northbank-routes/http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-marlborough/south-marlborough/northbank-routes/ |
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No need for special gear, but occasionally do need your hands to get further. 4x4 track to base of spur no longer accessible due to '09 floods. (update: On July 2014 was able to make it about a kilometer along the 4x4 track, quite rough, including sections driving along the creek bed itself. Process was blocked by deep ford.)
Park at camp ground where the hut used to be (Still on topo however). From there 3.7km to track start along and through the creek - you may want to use sneakers for that bit. At track end, throw on the good socks and it's not quite a walk, not quite a climb until you get to about 1100m through nice lush beech. Some decent view of the target and surrounds along the way. Say "hi" to the Weka and the goats on the way up until you turn towards Mt Royal and walk along the saddle - great looking highland beech forest here. When you get near the bushline (1260m) and final ascent, there is a decent clearing suitable for camping. The final short scramble up amongst the plants and scree get you to the cairn and a view of the other possible climbs near you! Turn back as you came, or continue on to the Wakamarina Roadend (DOC time 10 hours from camp ground to roadend). No water anywhere on the way up.