Each week, we highlight our fave tramping trails in New Zealand for day and multi day hikes across Nelson Tasman (and beyond!)
Yuletide Peak, Golden Bay
Are you looking for a mean challenge..? With a sweet surprise waiting at the Anatoki Forks Hut. Go see for yourself!
The trailhead kicks off at the end of Anatoki Track Road near Takaka.
The track sidles high above the river for 18km (with occasional views) until descending steeply on a zig-zag to Anatoki Bend, passing a few tent sites just before a major side stream. This is about half way to Anatoki Forks Hut - and the first of many side streams that would be impassable after heavy rain.
From the Anatoki Forks Hut, a short walk brings you to a junction with the Waingaro Loop - head right towards the Anatoki River crossing point (impassable after rain).
Once across, a steep and relentless climb begins through beech until breaking out of the bushline for epic views of the surrounding peaks and the Anatoki Valley.
The track sidles high above the river for 18km (with occasional views) until descending steeply on a zig-zag to Anatoki Bend, passing a few tent sites just before a major side stream. This is about half way to Anatoki Forks Hut - and the first of many side streams that would be impassable after heavy rain.
From the Anatoki Forks Hut, a short walk brings you to a junction with the Waingaro Loop - head right towards the Anatoki River crossing point (impassable after rain).
Once across, a steep and relentless climb begins through beech until breaking out of the bushline for epic views of the surrounding peaks and the Anatoki Valley.
The track scrambles along the spine of the ridge until dropping onto the saddle - here find some welcome tarns after a slog of a climb! This is also a great campsite in good weather.
The prize of Yuletide Peak is a short scramble from here!
The prize of Yuletide Peak is a short scramble from here!