Tākaka Hill Walkway

Tākaka Hill Highway

The Tākaka Hill Walkway traverses diverse and rugged terrain, particularly the karst marble outcrops characteristic of ‘Real Middle Earth’.

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blurry placeholderTakaka Hill by Tinycamper

Peter Jackson’s famous Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies featured the magnificent landscapes of Tākaka Hill, also known as ‘Marble Mountain’, and this loop track takes in an array of Middle Earth scenery.

The public walkway is on private land, but three QEII Open Space Covenants protect the area and recognise its unusual geology. You’ll follow a 4WD road uphill through karst outcrops, sub-alpine scrub, tussock ranges and dense beech forest before reaching a lookout with picturesque views over Golden Bay and the Kahurangi National Park.

If your stomach can handle it, there is an abandoned farm shack near the beginning of the track. Inside, you’ll find a mummified cow that has been there for approximately 35 years. Curled around the doorframe, it is thought that a unique combination of weather conditions has prevented it from decomposing completely.

Note: Keep to the marked track, as the area's sinkholes are prominent and often hidden by vegetation.

How to get there: The Tākaka Hill Walkway is accessible near the top of Tākaka Hill. The access point is signposted, and a parking bay is nearby.

Contact details

Address: Tākaka Hill Highway

Things to do around Tākaka Hill

blurry placeholderDon’t miss Nelson Tasman’s newest adventure. Try via ferrata on Tākaka Hill with gear from Ngarua Caves.

Via Ferrata Tākaka Hill

Via Ferrata climbing park is a free outdoor haven located in Tākaka Hill. It is open to adventurers of every age and skill level.
 
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Pikikirunga Trail

This scenic Grade 3 flow trail winds through native bush, offering a fast and playful ride with sweeping views across Golden Bay and the surrounding ranges.
 
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Ngarua Caves

The Ngarua Caves are a series of limestone caves in the Tākaka Hill range south of Abel Tasman National Park. The caves are located close to Tākaka Hill's summit.
 
blurry placeholderTake the walk to Harwoods Hole for epic views and a deep sense of wonder.

Harwoods Hole Track

The Harwoods Hole track is located in the Canaan Downs Scenic Reserve, near the top of Tākaka Hill. A 45-minute stroll through stunning beech forest and limestone outcrops will take you to a lookout over a giant sinkhole in the Tākaka Valley landscape.
 

Directions

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