Distance: 1.0 km (0.3 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 156m to 203m. Gain: 65m. Loss: 54m . Gradient: 7 deg (Gentle)
Skills: - 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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

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

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

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

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

From the track junction, head along the fenceline between the farmland and the river to the eastern point of the river bend, where a stile leads to a zigzag track to the river. The river is knee-to-thigh deep in normal flows and easily become impassible after rain. Once across, pick up a marked track on the true right of Kotepato stream, which sidles briefly, drops to the stream, crosses it, and continues through scrubby bush on the valley floor to Kotepato Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The track leads down the south bank of Kotepato Stream for 300m before crossing it and sidling the north valleyside to the confluence with the Waioeka, which must then be crossed. The Waioeka river is knee-to-thigh deep in normal flows and easily become impassible after rain. Once across, a short track, slightly upriver from the confluence leads to farmland on terraces above. Following the fenceline downriver takes you to the junction with the farm track - the route between Redpath Road and Nikau Flats Hut.