At almost 1000m, the Flora car park provides the advantage to climbing Mt Arthur in a day. If you fancy an overnight trip, it’s possible to sleep in Mt Arthur Hut, which offers superb views over the Nelson region, or Flora Hut in the valley below. 

The nicely graded track sidles beneath Pt1262 to reach Flora Saddle and a junction. Head west on the left-branching Mt Arthur Walk, an undulating trail to a ridgeline climb through beech forest. 

After nearly 2km the trail turns northwards and climbs more steeply, zigging and zagging in places to eventually reach Mt Arthur Hut, just below the bushline. There is water here. 

Above the hut there is a track junction. The right branch is the marked route to Flora Hut in the forest below. The poled Mt Arthur Route to the left heads up a broad open ridge, climbing steadily around Horseshoe Basin (a karst or limestone feature) to a saddle below Winter Peak. Above here the route becomes more challenging and would require ice tools during winter. In summer conditions, good footwear and caution will suffice along some narrow sections. Clamber up the final little ‘chimney’ to gain the summit ridge.

It is then a short wander to the ample summit and as wonderful a panorama of Kahurangi National Park and Tasman Bay as you could hope for: ranges, deep valleys, tablelands, bays, beaches – even urban landscapes.  

Among the most interesting features are The Twins, along the range to the south-west, and Ellis Basin below the summit to the south. Both are possibilities for other trips. 

Returning from the summit, you can either head down to Flora Hut and then Flora car park, or go back past Mt Arthur Hut.