Canterbury · Hiking

Kowhai-Hapuku

Kowhai-HapukuPhoto: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
3.0 mi
round trip
1,261 ft
climb
1,093 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Kowhai-Hapuku is an out-and-back trail, 3.0 miles each way (6.0 miles round trip) in Canterbury, New Zealand, inside Ka Whata Tu O Rakihouia Conservation Park. It runs between about 640 ft and 1,090 ft above sea level, with roughly 430 ft of climbing one way. The nearest town is Kaikōura, about 8.1 miles northwest of the trailhead. Peaks within about 3 miles include Little Hau, Big Hau and Mount Fyffe. For camping, Kaikoura is within about 6 miles. There are 2 other mapped trails within about 3 miles, so you can combine or extend the outing. Distances, elevations and the route shape here come from OpenStreetMap and the Copernicus 90 m elevation model. Trails, access rules and conditions change, so check locally before you go.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Hinau TrackPhoto: Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hinau Track

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Tom's Track

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Mt Fyffe Forest WalkPhoto: Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mt Fyffe Forest Walk

~7 min drive

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Hanmer Forest WalkPhoto: Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hanmer Forest Walk

~1h 8m drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.4 miles each way (0.8 miles round trip) in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Hanmer Forest WalkPhoto: Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hanmer Forest Walk

~1h 8m drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.8 miles each way (1.6 miles round trip) in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Lower Dog StreamPhoto: Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lower Dog Stream

~1h 8m drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.7 miles each way (1.5 miles round trip) in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Hanmer Forest AmblePhoto: Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hanmer Forest Amble

~1h 8m drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.5 miles each way (1.0 miles round trip) in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Spaniard Spur Track

~1 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 1.4 miles each way (2.9 miles round trip) in Canterbury, New Zealand.

St. Pauls Track

~15 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.3 miles each way (0.6 miles round trip) in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Conditions and forecast

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at Kowhai-Hapuku for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors