Mt Hutt Forest walking tracks
Track category
Walking track
Description
Alder Track
Time: 30 min one way
Distance: 830 metres
This track starts in Awa Awa Rata Reserve and goes
through alder-covered flats at the base of the hill. It then
climbs through a larch plantation to connect with the
southern end of Ridge Track.
Opuke Track
Time: 30 min one way
Distance: 820 metres
This track connects Ridge Track with the end of the
metalled road through Awa Awa Rata Reserve.
Ridge Track
Time: 45 min one way
Distance: 2.2 km
This track follows the ridge above Pudding Hill Stream and
connects with Alder, Opuke and Scotts Saddle tracks.
Getting there
Mt Hutt Forest can be accessed from Awa Awa Rata Reserve at the end of McLennans Bush Road, which is off Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road and is 12.5 km from Methven. The area can also be accessed from Mt Hutt Skifield access road. During summer, there is a locked gate at Scotts Saddle; you will need to walk from here.
About the area
Rifleman
The forest is mostly mountain beech/tawhairauriki, with broadleaf/pāpāuma, Hall's tōtara, fuchsia/kōtukutuku, marble leaf/putaputāweta, kōhūhū and pōkākā. Southern rātā - rare in this part of Canterbury - grows in Scotts Creek and Awa Awa Rata Reserve.
Forest birds include bellbird/korimako, rifleman/tītitipounamu and grey warbler/riroriro. New Zealand pipits/pīhoihoi and occasionally kea are seen above the bushline.
Guides and commercial tourism providers