Maitland Ridge Circuit

The easiest way to complete Maitland Ridge Circuit is by starting at Six Mile car park. From Nelson, head south along SH6 and turn left at Belgrove onto Wai-iti Valley Rd. Continue all the way to the junction with SH63, where you will turn left and continue over Wairau Pass for 4 km. About 2 min past the Rainbow Skifield turnoff you will see a DOC sign indicating the car park on the left (just before the one way bridge).

Alternatively, you can park on Tophouse Rd at the base of Beeby’s Knob 4WD Road and climb to the start of Wots Up Doc, though this adds approximately 200 m of extra climbing.

From Six Mile car park, follow the track a short distance to the junction with Missing DoC Track, which heads left and climbs for 3.9 km through beech forest to connect with Wots Up Doc, about 1 km above Tophouse Rd. Wots Up Doc sweeps back and forth across the 4WD road, the latter taking a more direct route upwards. Near the top of the range the track heads through a section of beech forest with mossy undergrowth. At the tree line you will reach the turnoff to Maitland Ridge Track; continuing straight is the way to Beeby’s Knob (1442 m) and Beeby’s Hut.

Maitland Ridge Track descends almost continuously through stunted mountain beech to a saddle at 1020 m elevation, then climbs gradually through a series of zig-zags toward Pt 1202, passing clearings that allow impressive views across Wairau Valley to Raglan Range. After Pt 1202 the track goes through a short rocky technical section, before crossing another saddle and climbing again to the top of the final descent on a rough 4WD track to Red Hills Hut.

From Red Hills Hut, descend down Red Hills Track (a 4WD road). After 5 km the 4WD road becomes a shared track, which heads through beech forest for 2 km back to Six Mile car park.