Wilkin Valley tracks
Track category
Tramping track
Description
Kerin Forks Hut to Top Forks Hut
Time: 6 -8 hr
Top Forks Hut
The track begins behind the hut, passes through beech forest beside the Wilkin and over a number of slips and steep sided ravines that require care. It comes out at Jumboland Flats - halfway between the two huts and a good place for lunch.
At the end of Jumboland Flats the track re-enters the forest, climbs, then sidles above the river before descending to Wonderland Flats; go along the river flats to the junction of the north and south branches. In high river conditions, follow the markers that take you over a hill. The 16-bunk Top Forks Hut is above the junction, on the true right of the Wilkin's south branch.
Top Forks Hut to North Branch
Times: Lake Diana - 1 hr, Lake Lucidus - 1 hr 30 min, Lake Castalia - 3 - 4 hr
Lake Castalia, Wilkin Valley.
The North Branch is an excellent day trip. The track crosses the South Branch in front of the Top Forks Hut and follows the North Branch. Most of this section requires boulder hopping - slippery if wet - then crosses a small side stream that can be tricky to ford.
The track enters the forest and climbs a predominant spur between the side stream and the North Branch to emerge at a small lake, the Disappearing Tarn. Five minutes further, just south of the track, Lake Diana nestles in sub alpine vegetation. Lake Lucidus, a spectacular moraine lake, is 20 minutes away across the grasslands.
The track to Lake Castalia branches off the Lake Lucidus track just beyond the boardwalk. It crosses the outlet stream, then the North Branch, to climb through alpine vegetation then re-cross the North Branch to a snow grass terrace leading to Lake Castalia's outlet. Take care scrambling over loose rock in the last 200 metres.
Note: There is a 2-3 hour side trip up the Wonderland Valley that you can take on your way from Kerin Forks Hut or Top Forks Hut, details below.
Jumboland Flats to Wonderland Valley
Time: 2 - 3 hr
An interesting day trip. Although there isn't a marked track, by keeping to the true left of the Wonderland stream, parts of the old cattle track can be followed through the forest, sidling 30 to 50 metres above the stream. Above the bush the valley opens out into beautiful alpine herb fields.
Getting there
For directions from Makarora Township to Kerin Forks Hut refer to the information for the Gillespie Pass Circuit.
Plan and prepare
Always follow the outdoor safety code.
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Guides and commercial tourism providers