Child friendly rating: 2 stars

Distance: 9km

Signposted time: 4 hours (The old sign at roadend still says 3 hours)

Bookings Required? No

Suitable in Winter? Yes

Camping Available? Only on rocks

4wd required? No

Parking:

Park at the Wangapeka Carpark at the end of Wangapeka Road.

The Track:

This is part of the Wangapeka Track that crosses through to near Tapawera. The full track is challenging as there have been numerous slips and it is very slow going even as compared to the signposted time. There are also sections that are poorly marked and require route-finding.

The section as far as this hut is manageable with kids for most more capable parties. It's definitely not one I'd ever recommend as a first hike, but it can be a fun challenge once you've done some other hikes in the area.

The track starts off relatively flat and easy. You follow the flats near the river for around 2km. There is some windfall to climb over, but it is generally easy.

Then there is a track that heads very sharply uphill over a slip. We actually by-passed this section by crossing the river, following the river for a couple hundred metres, and then crossing back to the track. This was possible with good route-finding skills, river-crossing skills, low river levels, and a GPS. It was definitely easier that climbing up and over the steep hill with kids in tow, but is not as safe. Make a call and perhaps send one adult ahead to check you can find the track on the other side of the hill if you'd prefer this option. When we walked it there were footprints on this route indicating we weren't the only ones who heading through the river instead of over the hill.

Just after the hill, the track leaves the riverside for just over 1km before turning and heading back to the river. This is why it's super important that you find the track straight after the hill because then the track leaves the river very quickly after. Don't follow the river if you can't find the track just after the hill.

This section is also still flat. There are some creeks to cross, but it is easy enough that our 2 year old had no trouble walking these sections.

Once you're back at the riverside, there are a few more flats, and some good sections for camping if you don't want to head all the way to the hut. Majority of the track is grassy flats.

The last approximately 2km of track get quite rough. There are sections where you pull yourself up and over steep thin muddy track sections with a chain to help support you - but this chain does exist! It's quite fun for older more capable kids.

Once you reach the swingbridge, you're nearly at the hut.

With a 2 year old walking around 2-3km total (On the grassy flats) and a 6.5 year old walking the whole way it took us 4.5 hours.

Hut:

 This hut was actually shifted in 2022 to be 1km closer to the carpark. In the old location, there was a creek that was beginning to undermine the hut, and the new location is much nicer. The hut was also done up at the same time and is in excellent condition.

There are 10 bunks, platform style. While there were lots of earthworks done so there is space for a tent, it's very rocky so wouldn't be the most comfortable sleep. The hut doesn't tend to be too busy though.

Recommendations:

 Once you've done some easier trips, this would be a great harder trip that's still a good do-able distance for kids. The chain makes it quite a fun experience for older kids. If you've got kids under 4 you'll have to carry them at least for sections. A very capable 4 year old is probably the youngest that would be able to walk the whole way.