The Forbes Mountains are a compact but striking part of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, rising above remote valleys and glacier-carved basins in the South Island. Best known for Mount Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi, the range offers a true backcountry feel: steep ridges, sharp summits, and fast-changing alpine weather. For trekkers and climbers, it is a place of big views and serious mountain terrain, where access is limited and the landscape still feels wild.
The Forbes Mountains lie in New Zealand’s South Island as part of the Main Divide of the Southern Alps, the country’s great alpine spine. The range is compact rather than sprawling, covering a rugged block of peaks and valleys with elevations from low foothills to high alpine summits. It sits in a glaciated mountain environment shaped by steep catchments, hanging basins and narrow ridgelines. For travellers, it is a classic Southern Alps landscape: remote, dramatic and closely tied to the larger divide that separates west-coast and inland drainage.
The Forbes Mountains were uplifted during the ongoing collision of the Pacific and Australian plates, part of the broader Alpine orogeny that built the Southern Alps. The range is geologically young in mountain terms, with rapid uplift still outpacing erosion. Its peaks are mainly carved from hard metamorphic and sedimentary rocks typical of the Southern Alps, then sharpened by intense glaciation. Cirques, arêtes, U-shaped valleys and ice-polished walls give the range its rugged alpine character, while active erosion keeps slopes steep and unstable.
Mount Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi is the standout summit of the Forbes Mountains and one of the most recognisable peaks in the area, rising to 2830 m. Its twin high points, East Peak and West Peak, form a dramatic skyline and are the main draw for experienced climbers. Other notable summits include Sir William Peak, Mount Head, O'Leary Peak, Moira Peak and Pluto Peak, which add to the range’s compact cluster of technical alpine objectives. These peaks matter because they combine serious elevation, exposed ridges and classic Southern Alps conditions in a relatively small area.
The Forbes Mountains are not a mass-market trekking range, but they appeal to strong hikers seeking remote alpine access and multi-day backcountry travel. Approaches often involve valley walking, river crossings and travel through rough terrain rather than marked tourist trails. Hut-to-hut options are limited compared with better-known New Zealand trekking regions, so trips here are usually self-reliant and carefully planned. The appeal is solitude, glacier views and a genuine wilderness atmosphere, but the terrain is best suited to experienced mountain travellers comfortable with navigation and changing conditions.
Mountaineering in the Forbes Mountains is classic Southern Alps climbing: steep snow, mixed ground, rock ridges and glacier travel. Objectives around Mount Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi and nearby peaks can range from demanding alpine routes to serious technical ascents, often in the French AD to D range or harder depending on conditions. The main climbing season is generally the Southern Hemisphere summer and early autumn, when daylight is longer and snowpack is more manageable. Even then, parties should expect exposed terrain, crevasse risk and rapid weather changes.
The Forbes Mountains support a strong altitudinal sequence of alpine ecosystems, from lower montane forest and shrubland to tussock grasslands, herb fields, rock, snow and ice. Native beech forest may appear in lower country, while higher slopes are dominated by hardy alpine plants adapted to wind, frost and thin soils. Wildlife can include kea, alpine insects and other South Island mountain species, with occasional sightings of larger birds in quieter valleys. The range sits within the wider protected landscape of the Southern Alps, where conservation values are high and human impact is relatively limited.
The Forbes Mountains have a cool, wet alpine climate with strong regional contrasts. Westerly weather systems can bring heavy precipitation, cloud and sudden snow at any time of year, while inland periods may be clearer but still cold and windy at altitude. Lower valleys can be more settled than the high ridges, but mountain conditions often change quickly. The best time to visit, trek or climb is usually late summer into early autumn, when snow cover is often more stable and access is more practical, though good weather windows can still be brief.
Q: How do I get mobile signal or satellite comms in the Forbes Mountains?
A: Do not rely on mobile coverage in the Forbes Mountains; reception is often patchy or absent once you leave settled valleys. For a climb, carry a satellite messenger or PLB and tell someone your route and check-in times. A power bank is useful because cold conditions drain batteries quickly.
Q: Are there huts or do I need to camp when climbing in the Forbes Mountains?
A: Expect a self-sufficient trip rather than a hut-based alpine network. In this range, climbers commonly use tent or expedition-style camping near their objective, with huts only if they happen to suit the approach. Plan for carrying all shelter, cooking and emergency gear, and be ready to move camp if river levels or snow conditions change.
Q: Do I need permits, fees or special access for the Forbes Mountains?
A: There are usually no range-wide climbing permits, but access can still be affected by conservation rules, private land crossings and any local restrictions near approach routes. Check current Department of Conservation guidance before you go, and confirm whether your route crosses controlled areas or requires permission from landowners.
Q: Can I climb the Forbes Mountains independently, or do I need a guide?
A: Independent climbing is generally possible for experienced parties, and a guide is not normally required. That said, the range is remote and technical enough that first-time visitors to Southern Alps terrain often benefit from a qualified guide or local alpine operator. Solo climbing is a poor choice here unless you have strong glacier, navigation and rescue skills.
Q: How do I reach the Forbes Mountains and how long is the approach to base camp?
A: Most trips start from South Island road access via nearby towns in the Wakatipu or Otago region, with Queenstown the most practical air gateway. From the road end, the approach can be a long valley walk or a multi-hour carry to a suitable base camp, depending on the objective. Pack animals are not a normal option, so plan to haul your own load.
Q: What skills do I need for a first climb in the Forbes Mountains?
A: This is not a beginner range. A first ascent here should be for climbers already comfortable with crampons, ice axe use, glacier travel, route-finding and steep snow or mixed terrain. If you are new to New Zealand alpine climbing, choose a guided objective or a lower-commitment peak first, then move up to the Forbes Mountains once your skills and judgement are proven.
