Distance: 4.0 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Marked route - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1162m to 1377m. Gain: 351m. Loss: 221m . Gradient: 8 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

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

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

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

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

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

Taking the track north from Kiwi Saddle (the junction is at the hut, not beyond it as shown on the map) the track climbs briefly though beech before emerging onto the subalpine tops. The poled route continues, winding its way along the ridgeline a further 4km, gaining altitude as it crosses a series of low highpoints, before entering beech forest again at Castle Camp.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

South of Castle Camp the ridge rises again, returning from beech forest onto the subalpine tops. It is a further 4km along the exposed tussock, hebe and lichen covered ridgeline before to the next beech-clad saddle, and Kiwi Saddle Hut.