Mt Fyffe (1602 m) is located on the Seaward Kaikōura Range and overlooks the Kaikōura coastline. The mountain provides amazing views of Kaikōura and the main peaks of the Seaward Range further inland, and can be climbed as a day walk or as an overnight trip, with Mt Fyffe Hut located partway up. The connecting track network also encompasses the respective Kowhai and Hapuku valleys, allowing options for different circuits. Mt Fyffe is named after Robert Fyffe, a whaler who introduced sheep and milking goats to Kaikōura.
| Details | |
| Distances | 5.6 km one way to Mt Fyffe Hut; 8.5 km one way to summit |
| Time Required | 3 hr one way to Mt Fyffe Hut; 6-8 hr return to summit (from car park) |
| Trail Type | 4WD track |
| Physical Difficulty | Hard |
| Uses | Walking, trail running and MTB |
| Direction | Either |
| Start Elevation | 180 m |
| Max Elevation | 1602 m |
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Kowhai Hut
Walking
Hapuku Hut
Walking
20 min from Kaikōura
Mt Fyffe car park is located at the base of the southwestern end of the mountain. Once on Postmans Rd, which turns right into Mt Fyffe, and is unsealed as it runs parallel to Kowhai River. The car park is located at the end of the road. The car park with a map and details of track times.
The 4WD track begins at the car park and immediately begins climbing. The track zig-zags steeply upwards through regenerating native bush. After 2 km you will reach a grassy clearing where the upper end of Kaiterau Climbing Trail and the downhill trail Kaiterau downhill trail begins. Above here the track continues along the crest of the range, zig-zagging upward to Mt Fyffe Hut. The hut is positioned in a low saddle in a clearing. Just prior to the hut Spaniard Spur Track drops down the western side of the range, eventually reaching the Kowhai River Route at the valley floor (2 km). The hut is a good place to stop and assess whether conditions are safe enough to continue to the summit.
| Mt Fyffe Hut | |
| Hut Type | Standard Hut |
| Capacity | 8 bunks |
| Bookings | Not required; first in, first served |
| Fee | 1 Standard Hut Ticket |
| Altitude | 1100 m |
The summit of Mt Fyffe is approx. 3 km and 500 m worth of climbing from the hut. The 4WD track, now narrower and rougher, continues upward along the range. Wilding mountain pines now cloak large swathes of the mountainside, particularly on the seaward side.
At the summit (1602 m), in clear conditions you will enjoy captivating views of the coast below, and the crumbly peaks of the Seaward Kaikōura Range (the highest of which are 1,000 m higher than where you’re standing). The summit of Mt Fyffe is probably the most accessible place in the country where you can be standing in an alpine environment whilst only being a ‘short’ distance from the sea (the coast is 8.5 km away).
For multi-day trips, A poled route continues northward from the summit of Mt Fyffe, heading along the crest of the range to Kowhai Saddle. From here, you can descend into either the Kowhai or Hapuku river valleys.
Mt Fyffe is an alpine environment, so proper preparation and care should be made to ensure a safe trip. The track reaches a high elevation and is exposed above the tree line, so proper outdoor clothing is essential. You must always be prepared for freezing conditions and take extreme care if snow and ice and are present. Do not rely on the Kaikōura weather forecast as the alpine conditions are likely to be drastically different. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you as there are no water sources on the way up.
See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.
Mt Fyffe (1602 m) is located on the Seaward Kaikōura Range and overlooks the Kaikōura coastline. The mountain provides amazing views of Kaikōura and the main peaks of the Seaward Range further inland, and can be climbed as a day walk or as an overnight trip, with Mt Fyffe Hut located partway up. The connecting track network also encompasses the respective Kowhai and Hapuku valleys, allowing options for different circuits. Mt Fyffe is named after Robert Fyffe, a whaler who introduced sheep and milking goats to Kaikōura.
| Details | |
| Distances | 5.6 km one way to Mt Fyffe Hut; 8.5 km one way to summit |
| Time Required | 3 hr one way to Mt Fyffe Hut; 6-8 hr return to summit (from car park) |
| Trail Type | 4WD track |
| Physical Difficulty | Hard |
| Uses | Walking, trail running and MTB |
| Direction | Either |
| Start Elevation | 180 m |
| Max Elevation | 1602 m |
20 min from Kaikōura
Mt Fyffe car park is located at the base of the southwestern end of the mountain. Once on Postmans Rd, which turns right into Mt Fyffe, and is unsealed as it runs parallel to Kowhai River. The car park is located at the end of the road. The car park with a map and details of track times.
The 4WD track begins at the car park and immediately begins climbing. The track zig-zags steeply upwards through regenerating native bush. After 2 km you will reach a grassy clearing where the upper end of Kaiterau Climbing Trail and the downhill trail Kaiterau downhill trail begins. Above here the track continues along the crest of the range, zig-zagging upward to Mt Fyffe Hut. The hut is positioned in a low saddle in a clearing. Just prior to the hut Spaniard Spur Track drops down the western side of the range, eventually reaching the Kowhai River Route at the valley floor (2 km). The hut is a good place to stop and assess whether conditions are safe enough to continue to the summit.
| Mt Fyffe Hut | |
| Hut Type | Standard Hut |
| Capacity | 8 bunks |
| Bookings | Not required; first in, first served |
| Fee | 1 Standard Hut Ticket |
| Altitude | 1100 m |
The summit of Mt Fyffe is approx. 3 km and 500 m worth of climbing from the hut. The 4WD track, now narrower and rougher, continues upward along the range. Wilding mountain pines now cloak large swathes of the mountainside, particularly on the seaward side.
At the summit (1602 m), in clear conditions you will enjoy captivating views of the coast below, and the crumbly peaks of the Seaward Kaikōura Range (the highest of which are 1,000 m higher than where you’re standing). The summit of Mt Fyffe is probably the most accessible place in the country where you can be standing in an alpine environment whilst only being a ‘short’ distance from the sea (the coast is 8.5 km away).
For multi-day trips, a poled route continues northward from the summit of Mt Fyffe, heading along the crest of the range to Kowhai Saddle. From here, you can descend into either the Kowhai or Hapuku river valleys.
Mt Fyffe is an alpine environment, so proper preparation and care should be made to ensure a safe trip. The track reaches a high elevation and is exposed above the tree line, so proper outdoor clothing is essential. You must always be prepared for freezing conditions and take extreme care if snow and ice and are present. Do not rely on the Kaikōura weather forecast as the alpine conditions are likely to be drastically different. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you as there are no water sources on the way up.
See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.
Kowhai Hut
Walking
Hapuku Hut
Walking
Updated 05 February 2022