Mt Fyffe

The most common approach is from the Hinau picnic area at the end of Postmans Rd, over a locked gate and up the 4WD road. Mt Fyffe Hut (8 bunks, standard) on Tarn Saddle at 1100m is a good lunch spot.

Starts from Goldmine Creek of Postmans Road. No longer maintained but well marked.

From the end of Mt Fyffe Rd, take the track through the scenic reserve to the creek crossing, and up the streambed. Climb up the eastern edge of scree in the head of the stream onto open tops. Currently overgrown with many young pine trees.

From the farm at the end of Brunels Rd (request permission from B Aitken, phone 03 319 5091) cross paddocks to the Waimangarara River and follow it to the first major junction. Climb north-west through forest to a rough track on the spur and continue to the bushline through subalpine scrub. The scree spur joins the summit ridge about 1.2 km north-east of Mt Fyffe trig.

From the farm at the end of Bay Paddock Rd (request permission from A & N Frost, phone 027 327 5691) follow paddocks, fence line, farm road and a rough track to the leading south spur. Tussock, rock and scree leads to Gable (1585m) on the main ridge north-east of the trig.

A long traverse past Gables End (1592m), north-east of Mt Fyffe. Choose a suitable spur from the Hapuku River onto Humpback and the tussock tops. Raven Spur (gained from the Hapuku gorge bypass track) can also be used.

Kowhai Saddle links the Kowhai River and the south branch of the Hapuku. Follow tussock and scree from the saddle to Gables End and along the tops to Mt Fyffe.

A marked track starts from the Kowhai River about 300m upstream from the Snowflake Stream junction and joins the main ridge just below Mt Fyffe Hut.