Kiwi Saddle Hut (Kaweka Range)

Kaweka Forest Park

Kiwi Saddle Hut is located on the ridge 3km west of Kuripapango and some 700m above the Ngaruroro river. The hut is on the Smith Russel Track from Kuripapango to Kiwi Mouth Hut on the Ngaruroro, and also at the start of the route to Kaweka along the main Kaweka range.

The hut is on the treeline at 1100m, with beech forest reaching down from Kiwi Saddle south towards the Ngaruroro. North, however, the valleys are dominated the clay-pans typical of the Kaweka ranges, and by tall Manuka. This provides habitat for Sika deer which can be heard whistling nearby on most evenings. The tops have sparse vegetation: thin dry tussock, lichens, and orchids - and are predominantly rock / fine scree.

Kaweka Ranges • By Mike Dymond.
Key information
Owner
Owner: Heretaunga Tramping Club
Category
Standard Hut
Sleeps
Sleeps 8
8
Facilities
Toilet, Enclosed wood/coal burner
Water supply
Tap or tank water
Getting there
Getting there
Kuripapango - Napier-Taihape road (279710,619700): 7km / 2-4 hours track including steep 700m climb

The Lakes road end (280000,620000): 6km / 1.5-3 hours track including steep 600m climb

Kiwi Mouth Hut: 4km / 1.5-3 hours track or river route

Castle Camp (shelter): 4.5km / 1.5-2.5 hours poled route

Cameron Hut: 7km track

Studholme Hut / Studholme Biv: 7km / 2.5-5 hours poled route

Unlocked
This hut is unlocked and open to access.
Bookings
No bookings — open access
No — open access

Kiwi Saddle Hut is owned and maintained by the Heretaunga Tramping Club. Backcountry hut passes and tickets do not apply. For overnight stays, send donations to Heretaunga Tramping Club, PO Box 14086, Mayfair, Hastings 4159 (or email htc@orcon.net.nz for bank details).

Other
Altitude
1,100m
Mobile phone coverage
No coverage
Maps
NZTopo50-BJ37
Link
www.htc.org.nz/in...http://www.htc.org.nz/index.php/club-huts
Map
ID 1644

About this hut

Added 10 January 2007 by madpommadpom. 5 revisions, most recently 3 April 2017 by matthewmatthew.
82 views in the past year (7 per month).