Mount Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki — Attraction in Banks Peninsula Community

Mt Herbert (900m) is the highest point for 100km, so offers great views on a clear day. It is very exposed to all weathers, so pick a day with good weather and take warm and waterproof clothing. There is a nice DOC shelter with a covered picnic table near the top. There are many ways to access Mt Herbert, and some are a lot more strenuous than others. The easiest way is to start from the Port Levy Saddle (go up Western Valley Road from Little River until it crosses the Te Ara Pataka walkway at the saddle); it starts at about 660m and is a nice 2.5h ridge-top walk with great views all the way. The quickest and shortest way is along the Monument Track, starting near The Monument at the top of the Purau Port Levy Road at about 420m, but it's quite steep. The hardest ways are starting at sea level from Diamond Harbour, or from Orton Bradley Park, though these is where most people seem to start! The other way to get to Mt Herbert is from the Sign of the Packhorse hut going past Mt Bradley, and there are a couple of ways to get to the Sign of the Packhorse, but these are quite long ways. Google "NZ topo map" for a good map showing all...

Awesome walk up Mt Herbert from Orton Bradley way. Orton Bradley walks through bush following a river, upwards until you get pass the parks perimeter. Which then takes you through farmland. 4.5hour walk up and 2hours walk down.

The path was well signed all the way up, you definitely don't get lost. It tells you to follow yellow markers but then the markers go blue and then eventually orange.. so just follow the marked path.

Brilliant 360° views at the Summit. Toilet up at the hut. Toilet at the bottom in Orton Bradley Park.

There was one very muddy patch that you have to try run through, almost lost shoes getting stuck in it. Quiet funny, but just make sure you have...

The track is not dangerous,easy to follow,but boy its challenging as it elevates up to 919m,really worked my heart rate, its exposed,we were lucky it was a cloudy,no wind,misty day great to walk it took just over 4hrs up to the top,stopped once for lunch,and few mini breaks to catch my breath,i am not suoer fit,i loved it still,good challenge and excercise th body..unfortunately didnt see th great view as it was thick with mist..going down was steep but i was faster,in total took us just...