Distance: 9.1 km (5.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 375m to 697m. Gain: 157m. Loss: 479m . Gradient: 4 deg (Gentle)
Skills: - Occasional rivers (3/6)

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

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

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

From the Makarora hut follow grass flats down river on the true left of the Makarora. Look for markers at the bush edge at the foot of the flats and follow the track down stream. The track drops to river level near the first large side creek shown on the map where there is extensive erosion and slow progress on river rocks. Travel might be impossible here after heavy rain. Once clear of the flood debris good travel is had down through bush. A glimpse of the impressive lower gorge is offered before the track swings around the mountain side and drops down to the main river opposite the Haast road. A track junction has a side track heading down past the Stewart Falls. Follow the west track to the Makarora river and ford here (impassible after heavy rain) to reach the car park.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description