Mt Owen Alpine Heli Hike - Kahurangi National Park

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Mt Owen offers big, bold and fascinating marble karst landscapes, a vast array of alpine meadow plants and the highest peak (just under 1900 metres) in the Kahurangi National Park. The unusual landscape, which features some of New Zealands oldest rock, was one of the sites used in the Lord of the Rings filming.

Flying from Nelson or Motueka, our 25 minute helicopter flight with its ascent up Blue Creek is a dramatic introduction to the area before we land in the alpine meadow near Sentinel hill on the Mt Owen massif. After the helicopter departs to its standby location, we have the option of winding our way through the labyrinth of karst boulders and fissures to the flat top of Mt Owen, where we have 360^o views of the Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks, or taking a more gentle route to explore the saddles and valleys between the various summits on the massif through to Poverty or Castle basins.

Your guide will provide a delicious lunch on the mountain.

Rejoining the helicopter near Sunrise Peak, we fly past the impressive escarpments on the southern side of the mountain where the entrance to Bulmer cave provides access to over ninety kilometres of caving system, then take a superb descent through the narrow bush clad Granity creek on our way back to base.

Time involved
2 hrs to all day depending on weather and your preferences.

Physical Expectations
Moving over the mountain is by a route as there is no track. However the ground is not difficult and the walking and occasional scramble is non technical. The climb to the top from Sentinel hill is 400 vertical metres (about 1200ft) and achievable for most reasonably fit and active people.
Those who choose the easier route through the saddles require a lower standard of fitness but still need to be active and reasonably agile.
This is a trip where you can explore the many interesting features or just take your time and absorb the magnificent splendour that Mount Owen has to offer.

What you’ll need
This is a wilderness trip into an alpine area which is exposed in the event of poor weather, so suitable warm clothing is necessary. We suggest light boots or heavy outdoor walking shoes for this trip. We provide daypacks and walking poles. We also provide drinks, snacks and a delicious lunch. If you have special preferences such as vegetarian or non-dairy, please advise us prior to your trip. We will collect you from your accommodation.

Trip size
2 – 4 people. Larger groups by arrangement.