Kiwi Saddle Hut

Kiwi Saddle Hut (sleeps 8, wood-burning stove, firewood available in locality, tank water) lies at 1100m on the ridgeline 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, 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.