There is nothing quite like rounding the corner and spotting the hut. Even a hit that's only a short wander from the road. This weekend we took a day trip out to the Apiti and beyond to take toddler to his first hut. We picked Alice Nash Memorial hut as I knew we would all would manage to walk there and back. Truly, it's a wander. The hardest part is getting there. It takes an hour or so from town. The walk itself is (at non toddler pace) half an hour. However, it's worth it. Our first amazing view was of all four mountains - Ruapehu, Ngaurahoe, Tongariro (well, we know he was there hiding behind Ngaurahoe), and Taranaki. After much admiring, we set off down into the valley. At toddler pace, the walk took us about an hour or dawdling, stopping to "schump" over rocks, pretending to fall off the side of the track into the bushes, pointing out manu, smelling bushes and taking the obligatory photo at the bridge. Further along the way (before the hut) there is a Kiwi Guardians medal post if that sort of thing will entice your children to follow you into the wild! The hut itself is a goodie. Non bookable so first in first bedded. We didn't stay over (that's a whole other adventure!) but ate our lunch out on the deck, checked out the intentions book, explored the site (longdrops are always an adventure). This particular hut isn't a DOC hut but built and maintained by the deerstalkers. Remember to leave but in better condition than you found it and always pay (for overnights). We chatted to some through trampers heading in to Iron Gate and some trig descenders who'd found the tops very misty.
If you need more, but not quite Iron Gates, there is always the descent to the Oroua River for some whio spotting. Today we didn't make the trek down. It's about half hour down plus explore time and then back up. Recommended if you are staying over or if you aren't travelling on toddler time. Our return walk was much quicker with toddler on my back. Much closer to the 30 minutes on the sign. On the way home there are some glomworms to see at the Limestone Creek Reserve (I don't think I've been before so we'll have to go on another adventure!) Alice Nash is a good little taster of a Ruahine hut. It's close to the road but far enough away to get the isolated nature feeling. Recommend!
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AuthorI'm Kate. I have 3 children - 2 bios and a steppie, 1 under 5 and 2 tweenagers. I am determined to spend more time outside this year and share more of Palmy's wonderful places and free play activities. Categories
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