Each week, we highlight our fave tramping trails in New Zealand for day and multi day hikes across Nelson Tasman (and beyond!)
Mt Rintoul/Rintoul Hut, Richmond Ranges
Part of the Te Araroa trail, Rintoul Hut is a great escape into the backcountry wilderness 
surrounded by Mt Rintoul this magnificent peak with epic views in the Richmond Ranges, super close to Nelson. Mt Rintoul is the highest point (1761m) of a challenging multi-day hike, the Alpine Route, which sits above the bushline in the forest park.
surrounded by Mt Rintoul this magnificent peak with epic views in the Richmond Ranges, super close to Nelson. Mt Rintoul is the highest point (1761m) of a challenging multi-day hike, the Alpine Route, which sits above the bushline in the forest park.You can reach Mt Rintoul Hut via following the Te Araroa trail heading on from Mt Starveall, Slaty Peak, then you hit Mt Rintoul. You then descend down to the hut from there. This journey can take you entering in from the Hackett entrance about 2-3 days. You then need to either back track the way you came or go out via Bishops cap, through the Mid Wairoa track, into the Wairoa Mountain bike park or walk right through to Red Hills hut and out to St Arnaud.
If you gain permission from the Wairoa Gorge Mountain bike park you can also go to Rintoul Hut via Mid Wairoa Hut. It’s about 4 hours into Mid Wairoa hut from the Gorge, then another 9-10 hrs the next day to Rintoul Hut! It’s a big mission either way but worth it 
Access
Make sure you call the Wairoa Gorge Park @thegorgenz if you go the Mid Wairoa hut way because you will need to park either on the road or in there carpark.
You can park at the Hacket carpark to enter in via the other way.
All in all, a big trip but so incredible to have this location right behind us here in Nelson!
