Each week, we highlight our fave tramping trails in New Zealand for day and multi day hikes across Nelson Tasman (and beyond!)
Parachute Rocks, St Arnaud Range, Nelson
This five hour return trip is a whopping 1000m climb and is well worth it for its incredible scenery!
The track meanders through magical beech forest for around an hour and a half, then pops out of the trees and onto a rocky outcrop. You can choose to end your walk at Parachute Rocks or continue on for the brutal 200m climb to reach the Saint Arnaud Range. It is well worth the extra work as the range has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains on both sides and of Lake Rotoiti below. The tarns on the other side of the ridge have some spectacular camping spots too.
This is also an awesome hike to explore during winter if you’re keen to get into some snow ❄️
Getting There:
Located in the Nelson Lakes National Park, Saint Arnaud. The track begins at the eastern corner of Kerr Bay, by Kerr Bay Campsite.