Distance: 1.6 km (0.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 655m to 747m. Gain: 79m. Loss: 113m . Gradient: 7 deg (Gentle)
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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

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 track heads west from Colenso Hut, passing Lake Colenso. It is well worthwhile taking the signposted 100m side-track down to the lake, which is a unique gem rich in birdlife and surrounded by mature bush and limestone bluffs.

After the lake turnoff the track wanders across marshy flats through bush and clearings until the valley begins to narrow. Dropping slightly towards the river, the track sidles the southern face. A signposted track junction is soon reached with a track dropping from the south from Unknown Campsite and Maropea Forks.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted track junction, the track sidles briefly upriver before the valley opens to wide marshy flats. Continuing through clearings and mature bush, the track bypasses Lake Colenso on the southern side. It is well worthwhile taking the signposted 100m side-track down to the lake, which is a unique gem rich in birdlife and surrounded by mature bush and limestone bluffs.

Shortly after the lake the track emerges onto the banks on the Mangatera where Colenso Hut sits on a low terrace overlooking the scrubby riverbed.