The Mount Robert Circuit is one of the best day walks in Nelson Lakes National Park. You do have a bit of a climb, but your reward is simply staggering views, both of Lake Rotoiti and the St Arnaud Range. The views from the ridge line were so spectacular it reminded us of parts of the Kepler Track, one of our favourite Great Walks of New Zealand.
The path is in great condition throughout, which is why it’s also one of the easier hikes in the area. Here’s everything you need to know about the Mount Robert Circuit.
Mount Robert Circuit
The stats
Distance: 9.1km
Elevation gained: 635m
Difficulty: Moderate
Whichever direction you hike the circuit, it involves a steepish climb, followed by a brief flat section, before a fairly steep descent! The trail is in a great condition though which makes it much easier.
The walk took us 2 hours 50 in total and this was at a pretty slow pace. Just make sure you bring sunscreen and water as the trail has very little shade.
The best direction to do the circuit
There are two tracks which form the Mount Robert Circuit: the Pinchgut Track and Paddy's Track. You can walk the circuit in either direction, but we’d recommend heading up the Pinchgut Track and down Paddy’s.
The main reason is that the views on Paddy’s Track are even better than on the Pinchgut, so if you’re descending on Paddy’s Track you’ll be facing the views all the way down.
It also means you’ll head up the steeper track and go down the more leisurely side, but to be honest that’s less of an issue as both paths are well maintained enough to provide an easy-ish descent.
Starting the trail: the Pinchgut Track
The trail begins by heading immediately uphill and it remains that way pretty much all the way to the top. You’ll start off in a lovely shady stretch of forest which is full of birdsong and it’s a great way to start the walk.
After 300m you’ll emerge from the bush line and get your first view of the lake. It’s already a fantastic view, but it does get even better the higher you climb.
The path is gravel and it zig zags up the mountain on a series of switchbacks. It’s quite steep, but the terrain is very good and the sloping track stops it ever being too difficult.
Once you leave the bush line though you are more exposed to the sun, which can be quite intense and make the walk feel harder on a hot day.
The view is the same as you head up the mountain, but more elevated, and the lake appears almost like a painting.
The climb to the ridge
After 1.7km climbing uphill you’ll re-enter the beech forest and find a shady bench seat. There’s not much in the way of a view due to tree cover, but it’s a welcome rest stop if you need a breather.
The next 1.1km stretch is all through the forest and whilst you don’t have the switchbacks anymore, the trail is roughly the same steepness and it continues to be an excellent path.
Once you emerge from the forest you’ll see another bench seat and this one is in a truly amazing setting.
You have an interrupted view of Lake Rotoiti and the surrounding mountains. It’s fully exposed to the elements, which in our case meant some pretty serious wind, but it was utterly spectacular nonetheless.
There was still a light dusting of snow on some of the mountain tops, but recent rains meant that most of it had now been washed away. I can only imagine how magical it looks with more snow on top.
Along the ridge
The next section of trail was my favourite and an absolute delight with every step. You are traversing a completely different world now, surrounded by jagged mountains and tussocks swaying in the wind.
There is a fraction more uphill walking from the bench seat (200m), passing the summit of Mount Robert, and then the path flattens and you’ll reach a small shelter.
There was water here, but it needed to be treated (and may not always be available) and a little hut which you could take a break, but not sleep in.
You are then just a couple of minutes from the turn off to Angelus Hut along the Robert Ridge Route. This is on my dream overnight hike list, but not in early spring when an ice axe and crampons are still required.
Instead you’ll turn onto the Paddy’s Track and walk the narrow path between the lake and the mountains. These were the best views of the whole trail, with towering mountains ahead and to the side of you, giving it a really dramatic feel.
It’s definitely the windiest part of the track though and totally exposed, so you might need an extra layer.
Continuing the ridge to two historic huts
After just over a kilometre along the ridge you’ll come to the historic Kea Hut (built in 1934).
This is easily one of the most atmospheric huts I’ve ever seen, it looked like it could have come straight out of the pages of Little Red Riding Hood.
It’s a private ski hut owned by the Nelson Ski Club so you can’t go inside, but you can take a closer look and learn a little about its history.
You’ll then head briefly back into a small patch of forest before popping out 400m later at Bushline Hut. This is a great little hut and a brilliant overnight stop if you want to extend your time on Mount Robert.
It was super cosy, with tons of firewood, a large dining area and 14 bunks with mattresses. There was also a picnic bench and loo with a view!
Descending Paddy’s Track
The majority of the rest of the walk back to the car park is downhill. There are a few undulations, but nothing that really feels like you’re going uphill. The path is great and descending is very straightforward.
The only thing to watch out for is the larger stones which can sometimes roll a bit and feel a tad slippery - but it wasn’t much of an issue and I never felt like I would fall.
You have almost constant views of the lake from different angles, and the hills in front of the lake made it look very different to the views on the Pinchgut Track.
They felt more wild and expansive and though I loved the first views of the lake, it was those along this next stretch that really stole my heart.
The path is gravel and uses switchbacks to descend, it’s slightly steeper at first and then becomes more gradual. You’ll pass a small stream and waterfall and the views of both sides of the lake and surrounding mountains are majestic.
Finishing the circuit
You have roughly 2km with big open views after leaving Bushline Hut and then you enter the forest. You will get some open views again, but much of the trail is through the bush.
It’s pretty beech trees though and there are plenty of fantails to keep you company. You’ll soon come to a junction with the Lakeside Track and need to continue straight, following the sign for the Mount Robert car park.
From here it’s mainly a flat gravel path and you’ll cross a couple of short sections of scree. Not the really slippery kind of scree though, as it’s not steep and only lasts a few minutes. You’ll get several wonderful lake views which were particularly pretty as we passed by under the soft pink light of sunset.
You’ll then emerge from the forest and into the car park for Paddy’s Track, from here you have a 300m walk back to your car at the start of the Pinchgut Track.
It’s gently uphill but otherwise easy enough, although we were glad that we didn’t see any cars.
Overall this is a wonderful walk with sensational views and whilst it does require some climbing, it’s on a good enough path that anyone who is happy to put one foot in front of another for a few hours can do it!
Getting to the Mount Robert Circuit
The Mount Robert Circuit is located in Nelson Lakes National Park, which is roughly 80 km and a 1 hour drive from Nelson. It’s just outside the town of St Arnaud. The trailhead is at the end of Mount Robert Road, which is on the western shore of Lake Rotoiti and a couple of minutes drive from the centre of St Arnaud.
The last 3.5km of the Mount Robert Road to the car park is gravel. It’s in good condition and suitable for any vehicles, but it is narrow and windy, so it’s best to drive very slowly.
Facilities at the Mount Robert Circuit
There is a pit toilet at the car park for the Pinchgut Track, but nothing at the start of Paddy’s Track. There are a further two pit toilets at Bushline Hut, which is almost exactly halfway through the walk.
Other than that, there are no facilities and all rubbish must be packed out with you.
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