Distance: 6.8 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Marked route - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 12m to 108m. Gain: 234m. Loss: 259m . Gradient: 4 deg (Gentle)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Low scrub in open or bush / river rocks

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

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

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

Traplines lead up each bank of the Waitutu between Waitutu Hut and Slaughterburn. However, the TR (west) is marshy and travel is easier on the TL (east).

From Slaughterburn Hut, follow the orange-triangle tramping track down the south bank to the confluence with the Waitutu. Cross the river on the walkwire. On the east (TL) bank, follow the yellow-triangle trapline (labelled WTL) down terraces on the TL to the South Coast Track. The trapline drops briefly to the river soon after leaving the walkwire, and then climbs back to terraces 1km or so later - just after crossing a side-creek - this climb can be easy to miss.

Waititu Hut is about 1km west along the South Coast Track, back across the Waitutu via a swingbrdge.

2-3 hours

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Traplines lead up each bank of the Waitutu from the hut to Slaughterburn. However, the TR (west) is marshy and travel is easier on the TL (east).

From Waititu Hut cross the swingbridge to the east / TL side of the river. Climb onto the terrace and continue along the track towards Port Craig for another 100 or so, keeping an eye out for yellow triangles off in the bush to your left (north), Once you locate the yellow triangle line (labelled WTL) follow it up terraces on the true left of the Waitutu to the walkwire at the Slaughterburn/Waitutu confluence. Many other traplines branch off this one, marked with blue tringles - so stick to the yellow triangle line.

To reach the Slaughterburn Hut, cross the walkwire to the true right and follow the marked / cut DOC tramping track up the south bank of the Slaughterburn for 1km to the hut.

2-3 hours