Child friendly rating: 5 stars

Distance: 2.5km

Signposted time: 50 minutes

Bookings Required? Yes

Suitable in Winter? Yes

Camping Available? No

4wd required? No

Parking: Park on the Port Levy Saddle along Western Valley Road for the easiest access. You can also come from several other locations along Te Ara Pataka.

The Track:

The main track follows Te Ara Pataka, before descending steeply down to the hut. This section of track gets very muddy and slippery after wet weather.

Until the hut turn-off the track is easy and wide. You can walk holding toddler hands. After the turn-off, the track narrows and has a very steep section. Some toddlers will refuse to walk this part.

Another thing to be aware of is wind levels, it is very exposed along the first section, and the wind can be atrocious even when weather in town is pleasant, and even in the middle of summer. Check the wind forecast using windy.com before you go, and make sure you have windproof jackets with you.

There is a secret access track below the hut. You can see this on the topo map. It's not technically the right track, and you're not supposed to park where the track meets the road, but if you need to bail, you can send an adult to grab the car, and pick everyone else up from the secret track. It's then only around 5 minutes / 300m to the car. Simply follow the 4wd road downhill from the hut to get back to Western Valley Road. This is an option if the weather turns, you have an injury, or the kids are really not coping.

It normally takes us just over an hour to walk in with kids - we've done this trip several times with different ages and stages.

The Hut:

There is an upstairs bunkroom, but there are also 2 matresses downstairs. In winter when we've had the hut to ourselves we usually put the two matresses next to each other on the floor next to the fireplace to keep warmer.

Recommendations: This is a great location to visit as a first hut, especially if you've got very young kids with you. The walk is short and easy, and the secret emergency track is a great way to bail if need be too. Visting after heavy rain can make the last steep section of track extremely muddy however.