Distance: 2.3 km (0.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 461m to 503m. Gain: 32m. Loss: 66m . Gradient: 2 deg (Flat)
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

Flat (difficulty: 1/5)
Flat

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

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

From the Wairaki River/Te Araroa track junction, the TA is followed down river for 30 minutes. The Wairaki needs to be forded just before the hut which is ankle deep under normal flows but would probably quickly become impassible after heavy rain.

Lower Wairaki Hut gets hammered by TA walkers and in February 2020 was a bit of a dump. A tent is recommended. There are some nice spots on terraces 300-400m away up the river.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description