They contain the park's highest peak, Mount Tūtoko (2,723 metres (8,934 ft)).

The range lies between Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) and the valley of the Cleddau River (to the west) and the broad valley of the Hollyford River to the east at the northern end of the national park.

They are bounded to the south by the Homer Saddle, which separates them from the Wick Mountains, and to the north by the coast of the Tasman Sea.

[3] The mountains were named by Captain J. Stokes, an early surveyor of the West Coast of the South Island.

[2] The mountains also have components to their north of rocks such as metamorphosed sandstone and gneiss from the Western Province.