Each week, we highlight our fave tramping trails in New Zealand for day and multi day hikes across Nelson Tasman (and beyond!)
Location of the Week - Mt Malita, Aniseed Valley
- Distance: 11km return
- Time: Around 4 hours return
- Elevation Gain: 800m
- Parking: Roding River car park (past Hackett car park), Aniseed Valley Road
If you’re after a straightforward summit track with fantastic views, Mt Malita is a great option. The walk is an out and back route, easy underfoot and great for kids that don’t mind a steep climb. It follows a 4WD track through pine forest for most of the climb before a short, steeper final section to the summit. From the top (950m) you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views across Tasman Bay and the surrounding ranges.
Just below the summit you’ll also find a two bed hut - perfect for escaping the rain but I wouldn’t plan to stay here unless you like mould and rats. There is also the remains of a concrete platform built in 1962, when researchers investigated whether Mt Malita would be a suitable site for New Zealand’s national observatory. The observatory was built at Mt John near Lake Tekapo instead.
Have you ticked Mt Malita off your list yet?
