Distance: 3.2 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 561m to 1438m. Gain: 892m. Loss: 26m . Gradient: 17 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Occasional rivers (3/6)

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

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

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

Note: The route described here climbs Homeward Spur before descending back to the Hokitika. Since this was written the swingbridge below Bluff Hut has been replaced, and the track from Poet Hut to Bluff Hut reopened. This may prove an easier route than the one described here for those heading into the upper Hokitika. Tracks described here are likely no longer maintained.

From Poet Hut head back upriver 500m along the sidle track to the swingbridge (possibly since removed?). Cross the bridge and follow the good cut track up the spur through first bush and later scrub to reach the tussockline at 1200m. Steep – but very good going, a great start to the day. From here the ridgeline is more gentle. There are occasional poles, but it’s easy to lose them in poor visibility. Apart from a few rocky outcrops, the route remains in the tussock all the way.

1km before pt1651 a spur from the east provides access down to Sir Robert Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description