Mt Wakefield is one of our 75 Top Trampers’ Peaks. View all peaks in the list here.

Mt Wakefield is named after the colonialist Edward Gibbon Wakefield. The apt Māori name for the craggy, broken ridge with numerous scree faces and bluffs along its length is Kirikirikatata (kirikiri: stones, shingle; katata: to split open).

Kirikirikatata Mount Cook Range begins at Hooker Corner and extends northwards to become the Hillary Ridge, which leads to Low Peak on Aoraki Mt Cook. North of Ball Pass the terrain is for experienced mountaineers only, but to the south the ridge can be enjoyed by experienced, fit and well-equipped trampers able to navigate off-track terrain. 

Mt Wakefield is one of seven points above 2000m on Kirikirikatata Mount Cook Range. It can be climbed as a day trip in summer, when it is a rocky ridge scramble, or in winter as a snow climb requiring crampons and ice axe. 

The unmarked alpine grade 1 tramper’s route up Mt Wakefield begins in beech forest at 700m on the true left of Hooker River, immediately across the bridge at Hooker Corner. Depending on whether or not cairns are in place, finding the beginning point at the base of the steep south spur giving access to the tops can require some patience. A rough trail heads directly up through trees into sub-alpine scrub, which gives way to more open tussock and rock as the gradient relents at about 1100m.      

Once on the tops, the way ahead is obvious. The magnificent views unfold as you gain height: north and west to Mt Sefton and the Sealy Range, to Lake Pūkaki in the south and the Burnett Mountains to the east.

The vestige of a trail leads up to Pt1566. Beyond this point the terrain becomes more challenging as the ridge takes a turn to the northwest, requiring some scrambling to reach the next high point at 1730m (unmarked). This is a nice spot to pause to enjoy the view, and if you are opting to camp, this is where to sidle across to a tarn at 1680m. If not, head northeast to Pt1827.

Beyond Pt1827, sections of the ridge steepen as it snakes up to Pt2012, where a radio repeater station is located. The summit of Mt Wakefield (2058m) comes into view here, a little higher beyond a small dip to the north and dwarfed by the southern aspect of Aoraki Mt Cook.

The descent can be made by simply retracing your steps, but if you prefer a change of scenery, from a small saddle just north of Pt1566 a scree slope drops nearly 800m all the way to the true left of Hooker River. The upper half of this slope offers nice consistent scree to lope down; the lower half is more coarse and rocky. At the river, an old track can be followed south back to Hooker Corner, although it may be in poor condition as it is not maintained by DOC. If you can arrange a pickup, an easier alternative is to head north to the swingbridge just east of White Horse Hill car park.