Distance: 1.0 km (0.5 DOC hours) - Marked route - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1548m to 1618m. Gain: 70m. Loss: 63m . Gradient: 8 deg (Gentle)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Iceaxe/crampons (4/7)

Marked route (6/9)
Uncut route, with markers normally within sight

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

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

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

Iceaxe/crampons (difficulty: 4/7)
Ice axe and crampons required in winter

Heading east from the Ballard turnoff, the good news is that there is no real climbing left to reach the main Kaweka ridgeline, 1km of gently climbing ridgeline east to Whetu Highpoint. The route is marked with occasional poles, and follows the broad ridgeline.

The track junction just SW of Whetu highpoint is marked with a signpost.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Heading west from the Whetu track junction, the route to Venison Top / Ballard follows the ridgeline for 1km of gente descent to a prominent outlying knob. The route is marked with occasional poles.

The turnoff to Ballard Hut is at the summit of the knob and is marked by a signpost and large cairn.