Glistening ocean on one side, towering snowcapped mountains on the other. The Seaward Kaikōura Range is something else! And better yet, your four-legged friends can come along! Check with DOC for a permit.
There are two route options to traverse this ridgeline:
Fyffe Hut to Hapuku Hut
27km point to point, +1784m -1824m
We’d definitely recommend this route as a 3-day trip, moving west to east. Spend one night at Mt Fyffe Hut to catch a sunset and sunrise on the tops, followed by one night at Hapuku Hut because it’s just so darn cute! This also gives you plenty of time to traverse the ridge and some sticky descents without feeling rushed - particularly on these shorter winter days!
Starting at the Mt Fyffe carpark, follow the straightforward 4WD track up to the hut - a pretty relentless climb but easy underfoot. Mt Fyffe Hut is perfectly situated on a plateau, with plenty of flat space to camp. This can be a popular overnight spot, so take a tent just in case the hut is chockers!
Wake up early to catch a gorgeous sunrise at Mt Fyffe summit, with insane views of Manakau (the highest peak in the Seaward Range), your route ahead and the stunning Kaikōura coastline.
The track traverses the ridgeline to Gable (1585m) then descends sharply to a narrow saddle. Crampons and ice axes are a must in winter! There wasn’t a lot of snow during our trip, but we were glad to have our safety gear regardless.
Another 500m along the ridge is Gables End (1592m) and wow it really does just end. A 435m descent in just 1km, it is essentially a big scree slope with a few rocks and shrubs - very fun!
From Kowhai Saddle, note that the track on Topo50 is incorrect. DOC has cleared a new track following the river all the way to Hapuku Hut, which is nestled in the valley right by the river. It is SUPER clean and tidy and from the looks of the Intentions Book, quiet too.
The track continues to follow the river, with quite a few crossings around thigh deep. There is a diversion around a slip which takes you up quite high, adding approximately 30 minutes to the journey. Popping out on the wide, rocky Hapuku riverbed, there are no markers or cairns so it’s a matter of picking your own way along for 4km.
Mt Fyffe & Gables Loop
25km circuit, +1652m -1646m
If you’d prefer a straightforward loop route back to your car, turn left towards Kowhai Hut at Kowhai Saddle. The track descends steadily to the hut, which is situated in a grassy clearing. When the track hooks left back up towards Mt Fyffe continue along Kowhai River back to the carpark.
