Distance: 3.4 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Marked route - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 618m to 858m. Gain: 94m. Loss: 315m . Gradient: 7 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: - Extreme rivers (5/6)

Marked route (6/9)
Uncut route, with markers normally within sight

Primary, unmapped (2/5)
Route not on maps, but is principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous moderate climbs

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

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

Extreme rivers (difficulty: 5/6)
Major rivers - likely to be impassible in all but ideal conditions

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

Rather than follow this 'short cut', follow the marked track down to the river, cross to the TL and continue on-track to the Nina Track. Turn right (east) on an easy track to the Nina trailhead.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Initially an easy track from the Nina trailhead, we tried a 'short cut' and met/found a newly cut and marked route to the Sylvia tops at the 860m contour. I expect the marked track would be continuous from the river and recommend using it rather than this 'short cut'.

The climb is, as expected, steep - the cut track certainly makes it easier.