Child friendly rating: 2 stars

Distance: 7.5km

Signposted time: 3-4 hours

Bookings Required? No

Suitable in Winter? Likely not

Camping Available? Yes plenty

4wd required? No

Parking:

Park at the marked carpark on Motatapu Road, just before the bridge.

The Track:

Don't let the first section of track fool you into thinking this is going to be an easy walk!

The first 1/3 of the distance is covered walking on a farm track. It is basically completely flat, and most of the way wide enough that you can hold 1-2 kids hands while walking. You'll cross through little farm gates in the high fences which are very fun for the kiddos.

After this, you'll enter the conservation area. Approx the next 1/3 of the distance is in the conservation area, and you'll start gradually slowing down as the track gets steeper.

It starts off with pleasant bush walking in beech forest, and the track isn't too steep till you get to the bridge crossing the river.

Once you cross the river, the little clearing next to the river is one of the last good spot to have a break before the hut. From this clearing, the track starts climbing up steeply, with not many spots to sit down as the track is extremely narrow with a very steep drop off into the river below.

Getting to the bridge took me by myself with a 1yo, 4yo, and 8yo 2 hours. The bridge is around halfway distance-wise. (Just not time-wise!)

Once you start climbing up, unfortunately the track doesn't go only up. It's very undulating, so there is a lot of up and down. It feels rather exhausting and relentless.

Most of this section the track is also only wide enough for one person, so no hand holding.

The drop-offs mean it isn't very safe for toddlers or preschoolers either. I wasn't worried for my experienced 4yo too much, but there was no way I was letting the 1yo out of the carrier to walk on his own, and I did make sure to keep my eyes glued to the 4yo at all times.

After you leave the conservation area, there is a couple of rock shelters which are the last other good places to have a break as you're more sheltered from the drop-off.

Some sections of bracken are also quite overgrown which is an extra obstacle for little people for whom the bracken will tower over their heads!

In total to get to the hut, it took us 5 hours 45 minutes there, and we were knackered. Back we didn't feel as knackered with more downhill, and it only took 5 hours. If I'd been walking with only my 8yo, we would have made it in the signposted 4 hours to the hut easily.

Hut:

The hut is modern having been built in 2008. Bunks are platform style. No fireplace, but there's no firewood in the area anyway.

Recommendations:

This would be a fantastic hike with older kids. Capable kids around 8yo+ could do this as a first hike. With younger kids you'd likely want to try some easier options first, and with toddlers and preschoolers, my recommendation would be to avoid this hut. Don't do this in adverse weather conditions as the last section is very exposed.