Wow! This is up there with my favourite hikes of all time. The diversity you encounter in terms of plant life is off the scale. There’s king orchids, exotic ferns, kauri trees, you name it. Up the top you get spectacular views over the wet tropics. It is a strenuous hike that has a lot of uphill sections but most of it is under lush rainforest canopy which makes it cool and pleasant. There are some nice sections of freshwater creek too where you can swim Tips - Wear long pants as there are a LOT of leeches given the wet fertile soil. Keep moving as much as you can - when you stop the leeches will latch on - Go on a fine day as the views from the top are covered by cloud when it’s rainy/overcast (you are 1300m above sea level). We couldn’t see a lot due to clouds and rainfall on the day we headed up - Bring lots of water and food as it’s a long hike. You can take a break once you get up to the top to the helipad where there is an undercover area. Allow at least 5-6 hours all up to complete the walk. - Know your limits. It’s a strenuous (but rewarding) 13km hike and is not a walk in the park. If you need to pace yourself or even train on a few easier walks first (Red & Blue Arrow, Glacier Rock) then do it. Mobile reception is not available so keep safety at the forefront. We did the hike as part of a hiking group with experienced walkers who had done Kahlpahlim before which I’d recommend.