Distance: 1.5 km (0.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy terrain
Altitude: 343m to 395m. Gain: 76m. Loss: 100m . Gradient: 7 deg (Gentle)
Skills:

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

Easy (difficulty: 1/5)
Grass / prepared surface

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

From Tawa Hut, the track drops slightly across thistle-covered terraces before entering the bush. It then sidles low on the valleyside through mature forest t emerge onto the riverbed at the bend 50m down from the Kahanui / Makakoere confluence.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

At the bend 50m down from the Kahanui / Makakoere forks a DOC triangle on the eastern bank marks the start of the track. A good, broad benched track climbs to terraces, and then sidles 1km past one side creek to emerge in thistle-covered grassy flats. Tawa Hut is tucked on a terrace slightly above and upstream.