Distance: 1.3 km (0.5 DOC hours) - Marked route - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 1070m to 1094m. Gain: 28m. Loss: 26m . Gradient: 2 deg (Gentle)
Skills:

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

Primary, unmapped (2/5)
Route not on maps, but is principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

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

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

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

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

From the point where it crosses the Harkness, the poled route climbs the western valley side and sidles close to the bushedge as it heads south. Swinging west it follows the bushedge 500m up the side valley to reach tussock hut. The route is not cut, but is reasonably well poled and a good ground trail exists.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From tussock hut, follow the poled route briefly south along the eastern bushedge and swing north with it into the main Harkness valley. Follow the route 1km upriver until it crosses the Harkness. The crossing is the turnoff upriver to Otore clearing. A signposted track junction for Mangatainoka / Mangapapa is on the ridge 50m east of the river.