Tracks
Mount Herbert: Western Valley Road approach
Te Ara Pātaka
Track
• 2 – 3 days. Easy/medium. One way.
This track between Gebbies Pass and Hilltop was once surveyed as part of the Banks Peninsula Summit Road, although never constructed. Farm and tussocklands, expansive views, and remnant tōtara forest.
Mount Herbert Walkway
Track
• 1 day. Easy/medium. Return by the same track.
A straightforward climb from Diamond Harbour over farmland to the highest point on Banks Peninsula: Mount Herbert / Te Ahu Patiki (919m).
Mount Herbert: Monument Track approach
Track
• Easy. Return by the same track.
A farm trail past an historic hut and a lava dome, up to the summit of Mount Herbert / Te Ahu Patiki (919m).
Banks Peninsula Tops
Track
• 2 days. Easy/medium. One way.
Two day walk across the never completed bit of the Summit Road.
Track grades
- Easy
- Unusually smooth, well-marked track, easy gradients. Up to about 4 hours per day.
- Easy-medium
- Typical lowland track. Generally easy walking and well marked. Ascents of up to 1000m. Some easy river crossings, unmarked travel along rivers.
- Medium
- Typical tops track. Experienced trampers only. Rough, muddy and poorly marked or unmarked. Ascents of up to 2000m. River crossings, open tops, passes. Up to about 8 hours per day.
- Medium-hard
- Navigation and snow skills (use of ice axe and crampons) required. Glaciers, exposure to falls.
- Hard
- Rough or non-existent tracks. Following ridges, bush spurs, and rivers. Steep ascents, arduous travel, hazardous conditions, snow and navigation skills essential.