The Climb
The Takaka Hill climbing park has two Via Ferrata routes. From the summit car park it is typically a 4-5 hour trip to climb both routes to the top and back to the car park. The access trails are steep and rough in places, passing through tall forest and open sub-alpine terrain.
At the summit car park, we get into climbing gear and walk to a practice via ferrata called the Skill Zone. This is where you become familiar with the equipment and learn safe climbing techniques. We then walk to the main cliffs, where the Cliff Traverse Via Ferrata route begins. The route is suitable for first-time climbers; however, the vertical exposure feels very real and exciting.
The top of the Cliff Traverse has awesome views and we stop here for lunch. A short walk then takes us to the bottom of the Cliff Conqueror Via Ferrata. This route is longer and harder than the first and includes two ladder sections and a stop on the Sky Bench. Good upper body strength and good technique are necessary for the Cliff Conqueror. The picnic table at the top provides more awesome views. There are several trail options that take us back to the car park.
Gear Up for the Adventure
The top of the climb is 900m above sea level. In many countries that makes it a mountain. In mid summer, on a nice day, you can climb in short pants and a t-shirt. However, we recommend covering arms and legs for sun protection and being prepared for changeable and cool mountain weather.
- Bring a small backpack (1 between 2 is fine)
- bring a water bottle (We are 4 hrs climbing and hiking)
- BYO lunch or order a packed lunch when you book. We aim to have lunch at the top of the mountain.
- Toilets are available at the pick-up point, then two stops on the drive up the mountain. There are no toilets when we leave the vehicle and start climbing.
- Footwear: Lightweight hiking boots are the best. Trail shoes or runners with firm and grippy soles are also good. No smooth soles, flip-flops, or crocks.
- Clothing: Free movement is essential. Close fitting stretch clothes are best. Very lose fitting clothes are not good as the fabric may get caught in the equipment. Long sleeves/pants are recommended for sun protection.
- Warm layer: Fleece + wind shell (a must in spring/autumn)
NZ sun has high UV levels. Bring:
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Long-sleeves / Buff / Long pants
- Small camera or phone (with wrist strap)
- GoPro (helmet mount available)
- Sunglasses, gloves, mascot
Trip Details
Trip Details You Should Know
- Instructions and safety information are given in English. Climbers must have enough English skills to understand all instructions.
- Risk Disclosure. Mountain walking and via ferrata climbing are adventure activities with inherent risks that can be minimised but not eliminated. We have safety systems to minimise the risks and create a high safety margin for our clients. The major risk to climbers is a fall from height causing serious injury or death. Correct use of the via ferrata and equipment will prevent this happening. Other risks include; trips and falls, sudden bad weather, falling rocks, etc. Our guides constantly monitor the conditions and will act to keep you safe. Climbers must listen to, and follow all instructions given by our guides. Our risk disclosure form must be read and signed on the day of the tour. View form here
- Maximum group size is 5 clients with two guides.
- Custom trips available. We can adjust start time, transport options, or add caving/biking
- Email us to discuss: bookings@takakahilladventures.nz</
- Climbing harness (40–110kg; max waist 100cm).
- Via ferrata lanyards.
- Helmet
- Gloves
- Gear fitted and checked by a guide.
- Guides will take photos of you and share them after the trip.
- No drones/tripods/large cameras
- Device use only with wrist-strap.
- Group pictures will be taken before/after.
Via Ferrata climbing is not a safe activity for a person with uncontrolled vertigo, or balance and coordination problems.
During the booking process you must disclose any of the following conditions :
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Pregnancy
• Heart Conditions
• High Blood Pressure
• Bone Disorders
• Dislocations
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Neurological Disorders
• Physical disability or impairment
• Fear of heights/ vertigo/ balance problems.
Please bring your inhaler, medication or other medical related items and brief your guide on their use.
Our transport departs the Motueka i-site at 10 am. There is all day parking available behind the i-site in Decks Reserve car park.
If you will self drive to the summit car park indicate this on your booking and read the information provided in your confirmation email.
If you are are coming from Nelson or Richmond by bus there are two options. The eBus, Route 5 Express, from Nelson at 8:45am arriving Motueka i-Site at 9:54am. This service is Monday to Friday only, or The Better Bus which offers Nelson accommodation pickups between 6:40-7:25, and arrives at Motueka at 7:55. For same day return to Nelson the afternoon Better Bus is the recommended option.
Bookings and Refunds
- Book online only
- Booking page shows live availability.
- Bookings close at 6pm the evening prior.
- 2 people minimum for tour to run.
- You can check places available on the Booking Page.
- If you are the first person to book you get a Pending notification until a second booking is received. You will then receive a confirmation email.
- The cut-off for minimum numbers is 6pm the night before.
We review the trip at 9pm the evening before and 7am on the day of the trip. If there are insufficient bookings or a bad weather forecast we may cancel the trip. You will be informed by txt, and can either change to another date or receive a full refund.
Once the trip departs Motueka at 10am there are no refunds. If the weather turns bad before climbing starts we will switch from climbing to caving and bush walks.
Full refund if:
- We cancel due to numbers/weather
- You cancel before 9am the day prior
No refund if:
- You cancel after 9am the day prior
- You’re late / no-show
- You choose not to climb after the trip has departed Motueka.
- You only climb one via ferrata route.
Trips run all year
Weather forecasts are checked 9pm the evening before, and 7am on the day. If we decide to cancel we will phone, text or email you.
If the weather turns bad after the trip has started we will switch from climbing to caving and bushwalking.
FAQ
Firstly we will fully support decisions not to climb. Your safety and comfort is important to us. We will not pressure you to do something you don’t want to do. If you arrive at the base of the cliff and decide not to climb you can walk back to the car park. We do not offer a refund in this situation.
After the first route you will know what you are capable of and whether you are ready to try a harder route. If you decide not to continue climbing you can take the hiking trail to the top. This may be guided if there is a second guide and they are not needed for the climbing group. We do not offer a refund in this situation.
We have procedures and options for this situation. The guide can connect you to a safety rope to help you climb a difficult section, or use one of the walk-off escape routes to get you off the climb.
We advise you to check this detail with your policy document or insurance provider before booking. Our guided climb falls under the high ropes tourism category for travel insurance, not recreational rock climbing.
Family groups are very common on this trip. Doing something challenging or scary together creates great family memories. For safety reasons it is essential to be able to reach the fixed wire to clip carabiners. The fixed wire can be up to 1.6 metres above the foot rungs. Check your child can reach this height easily. It is also essential that the harness fits correctly. As a general guide we set a minimum age of 10 years, a minimum weight of 40kg (harness fit) and a minimum height of 140cm.
Younger and smaller children have climbed the route but we prefer to use an extra safety rope for the hard sections so a private family booking is necessary.
The vertical difference between the car park and the summit is only 100m. The walk to the base of the climb and then from the summit back to the carpark is about 2 km. Some of the walking track is up and down with rocks to step over, and some steps to climb. The via ferrata itself is like a mix between rock climbing, climbing a ladder, and walking along a ledge. Most of the way you have metal rungs to stand on but sometimes you use natural rock footholds. The goal is to use leg muscles, not arm muscles. However, there are some short vertical or slightly overhanging sections where you need some arm strength to pull against the fixed wire.
The public have free access to the top of Takaka Hill and there is a public car park and public walking tracks. There is a walking track below the Cliff Traverse route which gives views of the climbers. To view climbers on the Cliff Conqueror it is best to drive to Rocky Angle Bend, also called Harwoods Lookout. Walking along the highway is dangerous. Email us for advice on the safest viewing places.
During the climb you will sometimes lean back to look up, or lean forward to see the road far below. It is essential your eyewear does not fall off. Well fitted eyewear should be fine, plus the helmet straps help them stay on. If your glasses are a bit lose, or sometimes fall off, then you need to fit a strap or cord to hold them in place before you arrive.
It is very important not to have an episode of vertigo or loss of balance during the walk in, or during the climb. If there is a chance this may happen then our trip is not suitable for you.
Generally a slight build is an advantage for climbing, assuming reasonable fitness and strength. The distance between the fixed wire and the foot rungs ranges from 1.2 to 1.6 metres. You need to be able to stand on the rungs and clip a carabiner to the fixed wire at all times. Check your reach at home before booking. See the FAQ regarding children.
