Distance: 4.5 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 609m to 1339m. Gain: 820m. Loss: 90m . Gradient: 12 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills:

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-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous moderate climbs

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

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

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

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

A good cut, marked tramping track heads up the Makino river for 500m, before crossing it on a walkwire. Goof campspots are present just before the bridge on the eastern bank.

From the walkwire the track climbs steeply up the Mangaturutu spur. After 1km things flatten out, but beyond the track still alternates between flat sections and brief steep climbs. A clearing is reached at pt1351, giving great views of the Kawekas and northern Kaimanawas, and the plains to the east. The hut is 800m beyond and is on the track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Mangaturutu hut, a short warming climb gains the narrow ridge for a steep descent (740m) to the Makino River. A 3-wire bridge (that would benefit from some stabilising cables) crosses to the TR and a very pleasant riverside track leads to the junction of the Makino hut track and Makino river route.