On-leadHard
Te Araroa: Pelorus River Track
Mount Richmond Forest Park · Marlborough · Point to Point
↑ 1334 m gain↓ 1111 m descenthigh 988 msteepest 28 %
DISTANCE44.6 km
ASCENT1,334 m
DURATION14.5–15.5 hr
STEEPEST28 %
ROUTEPoint to Point
RATING · HIKERS 4.4 · 6
DOG EFFORT4.6 /5 paws
PARKING160 m away
Nearest emergency vetNelson Vets - Victory (after-hours on-call), Nelson
03 546 9646
The route
Good to know
On the lead here. Keep it to two metres or less and watch for ground-nesting birds, as on most NZ tracks.
River swim spotsForest shade3 swing bridges on routeBest in summer; snow and ice at altitude in winter
Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.
A multi-day expedition, not an afternoon walk. Plan for huts, weather and full backcountry gear.
About Te Araroa: Pelorus River Track
This full-day track follows 44.6 km as a point-to-point, near Mount Richmond Forest Park in Marlborough.
It sits at the hard end and gains roughly 1,334 m, pitching up to 28 % at its steepest, and takes about 14.5–15.5 hr to walk.
Walkers come for native forest, river frontage, and big views. Dogs are welcome here on the lead. Hikers rate it 4.4 / 5 across 6 reviews.