Distance: 5.8 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 462m to 1161m. Gain: 6m. Loss: 705m . Gradient: 7 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Prolonged rivers (4/6)

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

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Low scrub in open or bush / river rocks

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

Prolonged rivers (difficulty: 4/6)
Frequent river travel - impassible after rain, risk of getting trapped

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

Diggers Hut track is well cut and well marked as it leaves Takapari Road - a 1.5m wide canyon through the leatherleaf. The tops are marshy and it can be squelchy underfoot, but is otherwise good going for the first 2.5km along the high leatherleaf tops past pt1026. Shortly after the marked highpoint the leatherleaf transitions first to peppertree and mountain totora scrub, and then to a mixed low bush.

A well used campspot marks the beginning of the descent towards Diggers Stream - though where those who use it get water form is unclear.

The track then descends steadily for a further 1.5km to Diggers Stream. The first sectionis though a scrub thick with fern and toetoe and can get qyite overgrown if not recently cut. Lower, you enter more mature bush and things become easy again. The track is well marked and fit for most abilities.

The track ends at the forks in Diggers Creek. From here you must continue another 1km down the riverbed to Diggers Hut. In low flows there is space on the stony riverbed to walk out of the water, but ofter the river covers most of the bed and you are in the water for much of the way. Water is generally about knee-deep and the flow is broad and gentle, so it is possible in most conditions. However, this would become impassible after moderate to heavy rain. Sidling the banks may be possible in emergencies, but vegetation is thick, and one crossing would always be required.

Diggers Hut sits 30m back from the river on flats of tall grass. It is opposite a large grassy face. A small triangle marked the turnoff but it's worth keeping your eyes open as it may not be obvious. A signpost on the opposite bank for the private track to Arbons Rd is 50m downriver of the hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Diggers hut the 'track' runs up the riverbed for 1km to the first main forks. This section is on riverstones or in the water all the way, and at least one crossing is required. It may be impassible after heavy rain.

The track starts right at the forks, and marked by a DOC triangle and signpost. The climb is steady and for the most part clear through good bush - though it can get overgrown towards the top as it enters scrub and toetoe. A well-used campspot marks the escarpment and the end of the climb - though no obvious water source is present.

Shortly after the bush is left behind and the track continues, a 1.5m wide canyon through the leatherleaf tops for a further 2.5km to Takapari Rd.