Distance: 2.7 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 529m to 1041m. Gain: 286m. Loss: 543m . Gradient: 18 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

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

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

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

From the signposted track junction east of Matanganui highpoint, the track to Kiritaki Hut heads due south along a spur, well cut and marked through scrubby vegetation. After 1.5km it climbs to a small highpoint, then drops west into the Oruakeretaki Stream. This section is inaccurate on topomaps (and on the route drawn here) but cut and marked int he scrub, and signposted in/out of the river so easy to follow. Hitting the river the route is unmarked, following the riverbed downstream for maybe 300m, before a signpost on the true-right bank marks the start of the track leading up the Kiritaki Hut. The stream is small, and mainly a process of boulder-hopping with dry feet. However, the narrow gorge looks like it could become impassible after heavy rain.

The track climbs steeply and is rough and loose for 200 vertical meters until it hits the top of the face it is climbing. From there a well cut, marked track runs WSW along the broad ridge, climbing gentle to reach Kiritaki Hut, 400m away.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description