Child friendly rating: 4 stars

Distance: 9.4km

Signposted time: 3 hours

Bookings Required? Yes

Suitable in Winter? Generally not

Camping Available? Yes, paid camping spots

4wd required? No

Parking:

The closest access to this hut is from The Divide.

You can also walk to this hut as part of the Greenstone Caples loop track. If walking as part of the loop, the best way to walk is up the Caples valley, and back via the Greenstone Valley. This is because the uphill section is a gentle incline to McKellar Saddle, vs coming from the Greenstone Valley up, the climb is steep, on a loose rocky trail.

The Track:

The first hour or so of the track is on the well formed Routeburn Track. It's plenty wide enough for holding a child's hand while walking (Though busy, so you may need to shift over to allow people coming the other way, or allow people to pass).

At Lake Howden you take the turn-off to the Greenstone Track. This track is narrower, but well worn. There are sections where you won't be able to hold a childs hand while walking.

After just over 1km you pass the Greenstone Saddle which is pretty much a flat walk from Lake Howden. There is a long drop toilet here if needs call, and this is also a beautiful, usually quiet spot to camp.

From here the track follows a gentle declining gradient down to Lake McKellar. Just before Lake McKellar you link up with the main Greenstone Caples Track, and then follow this the rest of the way to McKellar Hut. The track is wider again for this section, making holding a childs hand while walking possible.

Hut:

The hut is very spacious, modern, and with flushing toilets!

Recommendations:

With the shortest route into McKellar Hut being a little less well used, and with a few junctions on the track, I probably wouldn't recommend this as an absolute first hike if you as an adult haven't been tramping before. It would be fine for adults slightly more confident in their route-finding abilities.