St Arnaud Range Track

Start at the car park near Kerr Bay’s east jetty and follow the marked Loop Track approach toward the eastern corner of the bay. The mapped visitor route uses about 1.2 km of that access before turning onto St Arnaud Range Track; the 10 km return figure includes it. Watch for the signed junction so you do not stay on the shorter Loop Track. The lower route crosses moraine terraces and other walking-track junctions before the climb steepens near Borlase Stream.

Kerr Bay campsite is beside the start. Its toilets, showers and cooking shelter serve campers; they are not facilities on the mountain. The village shop is about 500 m from the campsite if you need to pick up supplies first.

The first forest section climbs gently, then the path commits to sustained zigzags. Roots and rocks become more noticeable as you gain height. The forest changes with the slope: red beech grows with broadleaf and marbleleaf below, then silver beech and mountain beech take over. Near the bushline, mountain beech becomes short and stunted. Keep a measured pace; the upper ridge is still ahead.

Above the bushline at about 1,400 m, Parachute Rocks is the first big open viewpoint. Look north for the gravel scree that resembles a parachute and gave the place its name. The outcrop also gives you a first wide look over Lake Rotoiti and the surrounding ranges. It is a useful place to check your energy and the weather before continuing: the track gets steeper and more exposed beyond here.

Past the rocks, trees give way to snow tussock, subalpine shrubs and alpine herbfields. A poled route climbs over steep, loose ground to the ridge above 1,650 m. The footing asks for attention, and there is little shelter once you are above the bushline. Freezing conditions can occur in any season; snow and ice make this exposed section especially hazardous. On a clear day, look east to the Wairau Valley and tarn-filled basins, north to Mount Richmond Forest Park, west toward Kahurangi and the Buller Valley, and south across Nelson Lakes. The standard 10 km walk returns by the same line; walking farther along the crest adds a separate extension.

The flat steps below the upper climb are glacial moraine, left by ice that once filled the valley. Higher up, ice cut back the ends of the ridge spurs and gouged hollows on the eastern side; small tarns now sit in those basins. The route makes that change easy to see: forested terraces below, then a broken, open crest above.

Late spring and early summer bring gold and white alpine flowers to the herbfields. Native orchids have also been recorded in the lower bush, while bellbirds and fantails are sometimes seen or heard along the forest climb. Dogs are not allowed on this track.