📍 Katikati
Waitawheta Hut is a well maintained hut. I believe this hut can sleep up to 20+ people. There’s also a space to set up tents if needed. In the hut, there’s a kitchen and a fireplace. There’s also a stream not far from the hut. The walk to the hut is relatively easy and flat, walking along the river.
I have done this hike and stayed in this hut with my family two times, first was our very first overnight hike! It is a 26 bunk hut split into rooms, with a kitchen/dining space too. Kitchen could be bigger but overall I would recommend. It can be VERY BUSY! On our second time here we hiked up the valley to this hut, then stayed in Daly's Clearing Hut the next night, and then hiked back to the carpark.
Was my first time on a overnight hike. Went with the family and really enjoyed it. Took 3.5hrs to walk up from by krangahake gorge(ohinewai fal). Amazing views, river walks and many waterfalls to see. Even got to see glow worms at night. Didn't stay in hut as was fully booked but stayed in tents which made it more amazing.
BYO Candles and Toilet Paper! Great track in along the Waitawheta Tramway. Great walk we had ages 6-65 in our group and all did great! As long as you have some fitness it's a pretty gentle incline just long. Stayed the night at Waitewheta hut and it was wonderful, nice bunks and large kitchen area. GPS said 13km walk in so a little longer than expected. A fun weekend!
A nice slow gradual walk upto the hut. Plenty of swimming holes in the summer too. We took our 7 year old who was fine with the walk.
A very nice Hut with lots of space for camping outside. A beautiful 3 hour walk from Franklin Rd Carpark along the rive, crossing bridges and stunning cliffs. Look forward to coming back and completing the 10 hour loop.
Such a good hike to get to this hut. Even tho we didn't stay here, was a great place to stop for lunch and rest for a bit before continuing. It looked like a great place to stay.
Great that you can book a bunk online and be certain of a bed. Great walk to do with young family, fairly short (actually takes little legs about 5.5 hours) with plenty of places to stop and take a refreshing dip, rock hop or enjoy bouncing across the many swing bridges. So exciting for the young ones.
The walk is the amazing bit. The hut is quite good but utilitarian. Not enough seating. Why does no one think to fix squeaky doors (the ranger doesn't sleep in the hut, that's why). Take your own toilet paper and absolutely everything you need as there's no cooking facilities and no potable water.
You can contact Waitawheta Hut at +64 9 235 7281
You can find directions to Waitawheta Hut by following this map link
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