Mount Robert Circuit

Mount Robert Circuit is a 9 km (5.6 mi) loop around the northern face of Pourangahau/Mount Robert. It climbs Pinchgut Track, crosses the open ridge by Relax Shelter and Bushline Hut, then descends Paddy’s Track and returns along a short stretch of Mount Robert Road. The Lake Rotoiti views are the payoff, but the climb makes this a proper half-day tramp rather than a casual lake walk. Allow about five hours, especially if you stop at the hut and viewpoints. Four hours is possible for a quick, fit walk; five is a better plan. The route gains roughly 540 m, and DOC classifies it as an Advanced tramping track.

From the car park, Pinchgut zigzags up the steep, open northern face. The track is well graded, but it keeps climbing; the bare slope is exposed to sun and wind before you reach the beech forest. After about an hour and a half you come out near the bushline, where the forest gives way to alpine herbs and shrubs. The view of Lake Rotoiti opens as you gain height. For a photo that feels like the walk, keep some of the rocky tussock slope in the foreground instead of framing only the lake.

Above the trees, the route follows open ridge country through tussock and alpine plants. Relax Shelter is a useful landmark; at the junction just beyond it, take Paddy’s Track toward Bushline Hut. The Robert Ridge route continues toward Angelus Hut and is a different, much longer trip. Bushline Hut sits at about 1,280 m on the treeline, with Lake Rotoiti and the St Arnaud Range below and beyond it. It has 14 bunks, toilets and a rainwater tank, but bunks need to be booked and the water is untreated, so boil it. If you stay overnight, bring your own food and cooking gear.

Paddy’s crosses the open mountainside and several scree-filled gullies before dropping toward Mount Robert Road. The descent is long and can feel loose underfoot. Several hikers like doing the loop this way round: the lake and St Arnaud Range stay in front of you as you come down. At the road, follow the short connector back to the car park; the full loop includes it. Keep the junction at Relax Shelter in mind, since carrying on along Robert Ridge takes you away from the circuit.

A major fire in 1887 killed the beech forest that once held the slope. Early settlers later kept the face open with sheep grazing and occasional controlled burns, so the scarred, tussock-covered mountainside is a lasting part of the view rather than a recent clearing. It may take centuries for forest to return. The upper Pinchgut beech escaped the fires, and red tussock grows around Bushline Hut and across the ridge, where native tussock butterflies live. In late spring and early summer, alpine herbs flower across the tops.

From St Arnaud, follow SH 63 west for 2 km, turn onto Mount Robert Road and continue 4.9 km to the car park at its end. Paddy’s Track has a separate access about 500 m before the lot, but starting at the car park makes the loop easy to follow. Freezing weather can occur at any time of year, and strong winds can make the open tops dangerous. The road gate is locked when the road is icy, and dogs aren’t allowed. Wasps are especially common from December through April; take that seriously if you’re allergic to stings. This is an isolated car park, so don’t leave valuables in the vehicle; bag storage is available at the Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre.