Distance: 2.0 km (1.3 DOC hours) - Marked route - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 262m to 659m. Gain: 103m. Loss: 441m . Gradient: 16 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Occasional rivers (3/6)

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

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

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

From the Twain turnoff, the track to Apiti Hut swings SW, climbing to the highest point on the short ridge, before dropping steeply SW. 60m above the river the track cuts left (north) off the spur down the face to reach the Opaewai Stream just upstream of Apiti Hut. Follow the creek downriver for about 50m and pick up the track again on the opposite bank. The river is quite wide, and was an easy knee deep crossing in normal conditions when I visited.

The track climbs some 60m up the eastern valleyside to a terrace where Apiti Hut can be found in a large clearing.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Apiti Hut, follow the track west down to Opaewai Stream which must be crossed (knee deep, wide but slow flow in normal conditions. Can flood).

Follow the stream 50m upriver and pick up the track again on the opposite bank. The track climbs steeply onto the spur, and then follows it north-west to the ridgeline. Passing a highpoint and then a saddle, the track climbs again to a second smaller peak. At the summit of this, two yellow triangles mark a turnoff to Twain Hut via the Opaewai Stream.