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Places to stay

French Ridge

Hut • Serviced Alpine Hut (NZAC). Capacity: 38.

This historic hut in the West Matukituki Valley was constructed of local schist, and opened at Easter 1949. Situated immediately beneath Cascade Saddle and en route to Mount Aspiring, the new hut o...

French Ridge Hut

Hut • Serviced Alpine Hut (NZAC). Capacity: 20.

This new hut is located on the summer snowline on French Ridge, near the head of the Matukituki Valley West Branch. This hut built in 1999 is the fourth French Ridge Hut, the first being built slig...

Hut categories

Great Walks Hut: Well appointed DOC hut on one of the nine Great Walks. Great Walks pass required, bookings may be required. Facilities typically include toilets, heating, water, and bunks with mattresses. Some huts will have lighting, gas cooking, and a DOC ranger.
Serviced Hut: Larger, high standard hut. Many serviced huts have a booking system and must be booked in advance. Other huts require a back country hut pass or 3 hut tickets. Mostly owned by DOC. Facilities typically include a toilet, open fire or wood burner, water supply, and bunks with mattresses.
Serviced Alpine Hut: Alpine hut owned by DOC or clubs such as NZAC. Generally no heating. Payment varies. Facilities typically include a toilet, water supply, and bunks with mattresses.
Standard Hut: Typical DOC hut. Back country hut pass / 1 hut ticket required, no bookings. Facilities typically include a toilet, open fire or wood burner, and bunks with mattresses.
Basic Hut/Bivvy: Small DOC huts of 2-6 bunks. No fees or bookings. Facilities typically include a toilet and bunks with mattresses.

In general, food and cooking equipment is not available at huts. See DOC and NZAC websites for details of pricing and booking.

Campsite categories

Great Walks Campsite: Campsites are available on most Great Walks, usually next to huts. Great Walks pass required, bookings may be required. Toilets, water supply. No use of hut facilities not available.
Serviced, Scenic, or Standard Campsite: Accessible by car or boat, and offering a range of facilities.
Basic Campsite: Accessible by car or boat, but with minimal facilities. No fees or bookings. Toilet, water may be from stream.
Backcountry Campsite: Walk-in access. Fees vary. No bookings. Toilet, water may be from stream.