Distance: 2.0 km (0.8 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 585m to 763m. Gain: 221m. Loss: 71m . Gradient: 9 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Streams (2/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

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

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

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

The Motutapu track is a well cut, well marked tramping track. From the southern boundary of The Stack CA, it sidles the western valleyside of Fern Burn for 2km to the next major forks where Fern Burn Hut is located. There are multiple small ascents and descents, not indicated in the map, and several may be icy in winter. The west branch of the Fern Burn must be crossed but is small enough to jump across with dry feet in almost all conditions.

0.5-0.75 hr

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Fern Burn Hut, the Motutapu track crossed the west branch (narrow, jumpable in almost all conditions) and then sidles the western valleyside downriver making numerous small ascents and descents (may be icy in winter). After 2km a major sidecreek enters from the east at an impressive set of bluffs, and a signpost marks the start of The Stack CA.

0.5-0.75 hr