Distance: 3.5 km (1.8 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 379m to 1225m. Gain: 861m. Loss: 15m . Gradient: 15 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

Cross the swingbridge just below Mid Wairoa Hut, and follow the cut marked track as it climbs steadily NE. Reaching the main spur it swings SSE and continues to climb to reach the main ridgeline just north of Bushy Top at a signposted track junction.

For those heading north, a junction 200m below the summit marks the start of a sidle track which avoids the last 200m climb, joining the track to Tarn Hut 1km north of Bushy Top.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A cut marked track descends steadily down the spur from Bushy Top, swinging later SW before pt812 to reach the river just below Mid Wairoa Hut. For those coming from the northern of the two signposted Mid Wairoa Hut track junctions, a track sidles the western face, avoiding a 200m climb, to join the main track west of the summit.

The river is crossed on a swingbrisge, and Mid Wairoa Hut is just upstream on the opposite bank.