Distance: 4.0 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 761m to 1178m. Gain: 115m. Loss: 515m . Gradient: 9 deg (Moderate)
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

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

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 the Whirinaki turnoff, the former benched track follows the ridgeline for a while before dropping off and sidling the south-eastern face, dropping 400m to the hut. The area is thick with fern and the track was in need of a cut in 2014 - making for slow going as you could not see where you were putting your feet. However - other tracks in the area have had a lot of attention lately, so hopefully this one is next on the list.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The platformed track climbs, zigzagging behind Upper Te Hoe Hut, back in mature podocarp bush. Unlike the track from central Te Hoe, it’s not been maintained for a few years, and is due a haircut (2014). As you climb, a ferny undergrowth appears, covering the track, and slowing progress as you can’t see where you’re putting you feet. We climb to 1200m, 400m above the hut, reaching the junction to Upper Whirinaki Hut after 1.5 hours (2.5 DOC hours)– the half-way point for those heading for the roadend, and the end of the climb.