Child friendly rating: 5 stars

Distance: 7km

Signposted time: 2 hours

Bookings Required? Not for the hut but you book campsite.

Suitable in Winter? Not really as you'll be warmer in a tent

Camping Available? Yes - bookable campsite

4wd required? No

Parking:

Park at the Upper Mangatāwhiri Campground carpark on Moumoukai Road.

The Track:

The track follows a 4WD road almost all the way to the hut. Follow Mangatangi Hill Road which turns into A.R.A. Road all the way to the hut.

It starts of relatively flat for the first 5km approx, and then climbs up almost 300m in elevation in the last 2km or so.

This, like the other huts in the area can be long and boring for kids being just a track on a 4WD road.

Hut:

The hut is located at the Mangatangi Trig Campsite. You need to book a spot at the campsite, but the hut itself is first-in first-served. Bring a tent as a back-up if someone else has already taken the hut, or arrive early.

It has 4 beds- individual bunks, but it is more of a shelter with a dirt floor and no door.

Recommendations:

Without the door, stay in your own tent in winter as you'll be warmer sleeping in a tent. In summer this is a fun option, just bring a warm sleeping bag and extra layers incase its a chilly night.

Another fun option is to turn this into a 3 day hike by linking up to Piggot's hut via Pukapuka Track - great for older kids who are after more of an adventure, and this section also has less road walking. It's approx. 9km between Mangatangi Trig Shelter and Piggot's Hut.