Distance: 6.8 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Unmaintained track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 95m to 611m. Gain: 632m. Loss: 525m . Gradient: 10 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Occasional rivers (3/6)

Unmaintained track (5/9)
Former track, overgrown - markers / ground trail still followable

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

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

Follow the cut/marked DOC track down to the Wainakarua River. A short distance (300m) upriver a rougher track starts on the opposite bank, climbing onto the ridge leading to Staircase Hut. This track was roughly cut & marked when I visited (2007). Staircase Hut is off the south side of the ridge.

2-3 hrs

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description