Child friendly rating: 2 stars

Distance: 2.5km

Signposted time: 1.5 hours

Bookings Required? No

Suitable in Winter? No

Camping Available? Not really

4wd required? The sign says yes, but you'd likely be fine without.

Parking:

 Park at Makahu Saddle Road at the very end of the road. There is a large carpark here.

The Track:

 The climb here is not suitable for snow, rain, or in high wind levels. But if conditions are clear, this can be an amazing climb with older kids.

The views are spectacular, the hut is cute, and everything about it is just an epic adventure.

Trails Spur is the main track, NOT Makahu Spur. Trials Spur is relatively well marked, and well worn. The track is steep, but has many switchbacks. There are some overgrowing sections at the start of the uphill section of track, but they are not too bad, just need brushing past to get through. There are some slight drop-offs in sections, but they are not terrible. But it's not a route I would recommend with inexperienced kids.

With me carrying the 1yo, but the 1yo walking some short sections, and a 4yo +8yo walking, it took us 2 hours 20 minutes to the hut. Back down took us 1hr 15min.

I would not recommend going up or down via Makahu with young kids at all. There are some rocky outcrops to climb over, and the steep drop-offs are significantly worse coming this way. This is really not a child-friendly route. Please ensure you don't miss the Trails Spur turn-off.

You could go via Makahu Spur, IF you are very experienced, brave, and confident and have read the . This track is less marked (There are some cairns), much more exposed, and is basically a scramble on slippery rocks. I wouldn't go this way with a heavy pack unless extremely capable and only if kids didn't have a pack on.

Hut:

 The hut is a very cute 2 bunker. Not quite a tiny one like the nearby Black Birch Bivouac, this one has actual beds.

Stunning views, not huge drop offs at the hut, but you are on a big hill.

Recommendations:

 I'd recommend this as a trip with an older child on their own (Hut is only for 2). Make sure you check the wind forecast before heading out as it can get extremely windy even in good conditions. Ensure you take the Trials Spur track.

I'd say it's probably best for kids 10+ if they've only been on a couple of hikes before, but kids 6-8+ will manage if experienced.

But a perfect hike to bond one on one with an older kiddo.