Rod Donald Hut

Summit and return

The Mount Herbert/Te Ahu Pātiki summit at 920 m is the highest peak on Banks Peninsula. The summit is dominated by tussocks, with a few speargrass plants, scattered around a small antenna housing. From here you can look out over the Port Hills to the peaks of the Foothill Forests – Mount Thomas (1023 m) and Mount Grey (933 m) 66 km to the north. To the east is open ocean all the way to Chile and Patagonia. Either return the same way you came, or continue left on to the Port Levy Saddle and from there to the Rod Donald Hut in 3 hr 20 min. Alternatively you can exit right via Orton Bradley Park, Kaituna Valley or Gebbies Pass, and stay at the Packhorse Hut along the way, which is three hours walk from Mount Herbert. The summit tracks are all part of the Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway .

Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki summit to Port Levy Saddle

Time: 2 hr 30 min

5.7 km Mountain biking is not allowed on this section. From the summit of Mount Herbert, head south-east along the plateau through tussock grassland to reach the summit of ‘Little Mount Herbert’. Take great care in misty weather to follow the orange markers along the 1 km plateau between the two summits. You may encounter cattle grazing along the way. Give them space as you walk. From ‘Little Mount Herbert’, carry on south-east down a steep tussock slope, to pick up the marked farm track. This is punctuated by pine forest and old stands of remnant tōtara. It then drops to the Port Levy saddle car park on Western Valley Road. Port Levy saddle is at the top of Western Valley Road. This steep, narrow gravel road connects Little River to Port Levy. It's not suitable for campervans or towing vehicles, and can be difficult for 2WD vehicles after heavy rain There is a parking area here providing easy access to Rod Donald Hut or Mount Herbert. If you're doing the track in reverse – Port Levy Saddle to Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki summit .

Port Levy saddle to Rod Donald Hut

Time: 50 min

2.5 km Port Levy saddle to Rod Donald Hut takes you through beautiful old growth tōtara forest at Waipuna Saddle and on to Rod Donald Hut. You can prebook this hut for an overnight stay or visit as a day walk. Cross Western Valley Road and follow the marked track to Waipuna Saddle. There is a beautiful old growth tōtara forest at Waipuna Saddle. This is on private land, but the landowner permits you to visit it. Respect this very special place. Rod Donald Hut is down a side track and takes about 25 min to walk to from the Waipuna Saddle. This section of the track is accessible by mountain bike, but bikes are best left at the top of the Rod Donald Hut track. The Rod Donald Hut is on private land belonging to the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust and protected by a QEII National Trust covenant. As with Packhorse Hut, bunks must be pre-booked through this website, but day walkers are welcome to visit. Mountain biking is allowed on this section but bikes are best left at the top of the Rod Donald Hut Track.

Rod Donald Hut to The Hilltop via Montgomery Reserve

Time: 6 hr

14.3 km Rod Donald Hut to The Hilltop via Montgomery Reserve takes you through Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve onto Summit Road. The track crosses private farmland – respect this and keep to the track. From Rod Donald Hut, climb back up the access track to reach Waipuna Saddle. Then head east following the marked farm track through the tōtara graveyard, pasture and several DOC reserves. Mountain bikers leave the main track briefly to bypass the narrow rocky track through Mount Fitzgerald, and take an easier farm track. Soon after the Whatarangi Totara Scenic Reserve, the track diverges again. Walkers should head up to Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve and walk directly to The Hilltop. The reserve track is steep and rocky, so take care and enjoy the beautiful forest including a giant tōtara, thought to be up to 2,000 years old. The track emerges from the reserve onto Summit Road. Keep children close and take extreme care to look and listen for vehicles as you cross the road. Mountain biking is allowed on this section, but is not allowed in Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve. Follow the farm track to Pettigrews Road. Turn right at the end to reach the Summit Road, and right again to ride along the Summit Road to The Hilltop.

From Rod Donald Hut, climb back up the access track to reach Waipuna Saddle. Then head east following the marked farm track through the tōtara graveyard, pasture and several DOC reserves.