01/07/2026
Looking for something more exciting to do while you're in the area? This is free and so much fun. A good level of fitness is required and a head for heights!
HOW TO CLIMB VIA FERRATA TAKAKA HILL
The Via Ferrata on Takaka Hill was opened to the public in late November 2024. There is public access and it's free to use for everyone! It can only be climbed with the right safety gear though. If you don't own this gear you can hire it for a small fee from the nearby Ngarua Caves shop.
The Via Ferrata was designed to be suitable for the everyday person - with families in mind. You don't need to have previous climbing experience. Anyone with a moderate fitness and a sense for adventure may attempt to climb it. Kids from the age of 12 seem to have great fun up there - though younger kids may still go if accompanied. We recommend a skilled caregiver to additionally belay any kids younger than 10.
There are three climbing routes on Takaka Hill. The first is a little training route to learn about the concept and to try out the gear, called "Skill Zone". The second more challenging one is the "Cliff Traverse", which as its name suggests involves a largely horizontal passage along the cliff. The "Cliff Conqueror" is a longer, more difficult, mostly vertical route on a larger cliff further west.
