Each week, we highlight our fave tramping trails in New Zealand for day and multi day hikes across Nelson Tasman (and beyond!)
Both Mt Fell and Mt Richmond can be walked as out-and-back trips, but if you have two cars, this circuit is a great wee two-day mission through the Richmond Ranges. And you can take your dog!
Two summits, two cute wee huts and some good ridgeline in the middle— this one is definitely worth adding to the list.
DAY 1 – TIMMS CREEK → MT FELL HUT + MT FELL SUMMIT
To Mt Fell Hut: 13 km | +1,300 m | 4–7 hours
Mt Fell summit return: 4.75 km | +370 m | 1–2 hours
The trailhead is a 2 hour drive from Nelson. North Bank of the Wairau River.
We dropped a car at the Mt Richmond end (Top Valley Road) where we parked just before Top Valley Stream. The second car was at Timms Creek car park at the end of Te Rou Road. You need 4WD - or park as far as you can get and walk the last stretch.
The walk starts with a beautiful stretch alongside Timms Creek. A couple of hours in, the track leaves the river and the grunty 900 m climb begins! Mt Fell Hut is a six-bunk hut built in the 1960s sitting at around 1,280 m. After dropping our overnight gear, we headed up to Mt Fell summit for sunset.
Allow around 1.5–2 hours for the return trip from the hut. Expect incredible views across to Mt Richmond, Mt Fishtail and all the way out to Tasman Bay.
DAY 2 – MT FELL HUT → MT RICHMOND
Mt Fell Hut to Richmond Hut: 6.5 km | +620 m
Richmond Hut to car: 9.5 km | +150 m
Day two starts by heading back onto the ridge towards Mt Richmond. This is a highlight of the trip — beautiful tops travel with huge views following a poled route across the Richmond Range before climbing to the Mt Richmond summit.
From the summit, it’s down to Richmond Saddle Hut on a rocky, steep descent. It’s welcome to see the hut sitting in a clearing in the trees in the sunshine! We’re also loving the little makeover the hut has had. From Richmond Hut, continue down for another 9.5 km through the forest to the car. We walked the last 3km of this distance on the road as Top Valley Stream was too high to pass.
Car shuttle = 17km apart.
Definitely one for a good weather window!
