Last updated November 2026
Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway is a 2–3 day tramp along the high ridgeline of Banks Peninsula, from Kaituna Valley on the Lyttelton crater to The Hilltop on the Akaroa crater.
DOC grades it Intermediate and Advanced and says it suits people with moderate backcountry skills, as it is rough and steep in places. The route crosses Mount Herbert/Te Ahu Pātiki, the highest point on the peninsula, and offers views over Banks Peninsula, the Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean.
Overnight stops are at two huts, the historic stone Packhorse Hut, a DOC hut, and Rod Donald Hut, and DOC says bookings are required. DOC says sections on private property may be closed for lambing between August and October.
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC also had an alert that Western Valley Road is closed between the summit and Port Levy, with no access from the Port Levy side, so check DOC before you go. The Kaituna Valley end is about 23 km from Christchurch.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Kaituna Valley (Parkinsons Road end)
- Finish
- The Hilltop, Akaroa Highway
- Distance from the city
- About 23 km from Christchurch
- Walking time
- 2–3 days
- Track length
- 35 km one way
- Grade
- Intermediate, Advanced
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Huts
- Packhorse Hut (DOC hut) and Rod Donald Hut; bookings required
- Shelter
- Mount Herbert Shelter (toilet and water)
- Status
- Open with a DOC alert when checked on 18 October 2026 (Western Valley Road closed between the summit and Port Levy; no access from the Port Levy side). Check DOC before you go.
About Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway
The walkway links the high points of Banks Peninsula between its two old volcanic craters. It can be walked one way for most of the year, and DOC suggests leaving a car at each end. Along the way it passes through farmland, regenerating bush, old-growth tōtara forest and a string of scenic reserves.
The first section climbs from Kaituna Valley through farmland and bush to Packhorse Hut on the saddle, with views of Kaitorete Spit, Lyttelton Harbour, Quail Island and the Port Hills.
Beyond the hut, a steep zigzag climb of about 300 m up Mount Bradley is, in DOC’s words, the toughest part of the walk, before the track continues below a rocky massif to the Mount Herbert Shelter and the summit.
From Mount Herbert, a tussock plateau leads to Little Mount Herbert, then a steep descent takes you down through pine forest and remnant tōtara to the Port Levy Saddle.
The track then crosses Western Valley Road and continues to Waipuna Saddle through old-growth tōtara on private land, where the landowner permits walkers, with Rod Donald Hut about 25 minutes down a side track.
The final section crosses pasture, tōtara forest and several DOC reserves, including Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve, home to a giant tōtara DOC says may be up to 2,000 years old, before reaching The Hilltop.
Stages
| Kaituna Valley to Packhorse Hut | 1 hr 20 min, 4 km |
| Packhorse Hut to Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Pātiki summit | 2–3 hr, 6.5 km |
| Mt Herbert summit to Port Levy Saddle | 2 hr 30 min, 5.7 km |
| Port Levy Saddle to Rod Donald Hut | 50 min, 2.5 km |
| Rod Donald Hut to The Hilltop via Montgomery Reserve | 6 hr, 14.3 km |
Huts and Bookings
Packhorse Hut is a historic stone DOC hut on the saddle above Kaituna Valley. Rod Donald Hut is on private land owned by the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust and protected by a QEII National Trust covenant.
DOC says: “Bookings are required to stay at the huts.” Both huts are booked online through DOC, and day visitors don’t need a booking. Drinking water and toilets are only at the huts and the Mount Herbert Shelter.
Track Conditions and Safety
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had an alert, “No access from Port Levy side”, which read: “Western Valley Road is closed between the summit and Port Levy due to a large road dropout and two slips. This is a long term closure.” Plan your access and any car shuttle around this.
DOC notes: “Part of the track may be closed during lambing.” The Gebbies Pass alternative route may also have diversions during lambing, so follow all signs and detours. The Mount Herbert and Mount Bradley sections can be snowy and icy in winter, the tops can be very cold and exposed, and the track gets very hot in summer.
DOC says the unbridged stream crossings in Kaituna Valley may be unsafe to cross in severe weather. Keep to the marked track across farmland, leave gates as you find them and give stock space. Firearms, motor vehicles and fires are not allowed. Check DOC before you go, tell someone your plans and use Plan My Walk.
Getting There
DOC suggests leaving a car at each end. Kaituna Valley is reached from SH75 via Kaituna Valley Road and Parkinsons Road. At The Hilltop, DOC asks walkers to park at the far end of the car park from the tavern.
Public transport reaches Te Waipapa/Diamond Harbour and The Hilltop, and DOC notes that Christchurch to Akaroa shuttles can stop at The Hilltop on request. Mountain bikes are allowed only on some sections; DOC lists Gebbies Pass to Packhorse Hut and Port Levy Saddle to The Hilltop.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
DOC bookings: Te Ara Pātaka huts: book Packhorse Hut and Rod Donald Hut.
Plan My Walk: weather, track alerts and a trip plan to share before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Te Ara Pātaka take?
DOC gives 2–3 days for the full walkway from Kaituna Valley to The Hilltop.
How hard is it?
DOC grades it Intermediate and Advanced. It suits people with moderate backcountry skills and is rough and steep in places.
Do I need to book the huts?
Yes. DOC says bookings are required to stay at Packhorse Hut and Rod Donald Hut. Day visitors don’t need to book.
Is the walkway open all year?
DOC says it can be walked one way most of the year, but sections on private property may be closed for lambing between August and October. When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC also had an alert that Western Valley Road was closed between the summit and Port Levy, with no access from the Port Levy side. Check DOC before you go.
Can I take my dog?
No dogs.
Can I bike it?
Only on some sections. DOC allows bikes from Gebbies Pass to Packhorse Hut and from Port Levy Saddle to The Hilltop.
Where can I get water?
DOC says drinking water and toilets are only at the huts and the Mount Herbert Shelter.
Can I use public transport?
Yes. Public transport reaches Diamond Harbour and The Hilltop, and Akaroa shuttles can stop at The Hilltop on request.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.