Image: Aaron K Hall | Creative Commons
Kiwi saddle hut.
Kiwi Saddle Hut

Located in Kaweka Forest Park in the Hawke’s Bay region

Kiwi Saddle Hut is located in the southern Kaweka Forest Park. This hut is owned and maintained by the Heretaunga Tramping Club.
  • Enclosed wood burning stove
  • Tank water supply  
  • Long drop style toilet

Kiwi Saddle Hut was built in 1987 by the Heretaunga Tramping Club after the original 1947 beech pole and malthoid hut had rotted away. This hut is a welcome shelter from the strong winds and southerly storms that sweep across this exposed area of the southern Kaweka Park. At 1170 metres, the hut is positioned on a saddle site tucked into the protecting beech forest.

The hut can experience a wide range of climatic conditions which can include brief snowfalls during cold southerly weather and heavy winter frosts.

Fees

Backcountry Hut Passes and Backcountry Hut Tickets cannot be used at this hut.

This hut is owned and maintained by the Heretaunga Tramping Club.

For overnight stays donations should be sent to:

Heretaunga Tramping Club
316 Te Aute Rd, RD2
Hastings 4172
Email: tramphtc@gmail.com

Online banking details:

Name: Heretaunga Tramping Club
Account number: 03-0642-0802494-00

A suggested donation amount is $5.

Walking

Cameron Carpark (4 hr)

From Cameron carpark, a marked track ascends a narrow ridge to reach Mt Kuripapango (1250 metres). Mt Kuripapango can also be reached by the "Lakes" carpark (allow 3/4 hour to reach Mt Kuripapango). The track continues north west along the Smith-Russell Track to reach a high point of 1359 metres. From here the track descends then ascends again to the junction of the Cameron Hut Track. Kiwi Saddle Hut is reached at the foot of an exposed ridge.

Kiwi Mouth Hut (3 hr)

From Kiwi Mouth Hut allow 2 – 3 hours to ascend one of two alternative tracks to Kiwi Saddle Hut.

A poled route from Studholme Saddle via Castle Camp also gives access from the north.

Caution – the higher altitude/exposed ridges in this area can receive sudden weather changes associated with very cold temperatures, poor visibility and high winds.

Tramping

The location of Kiwi Saddle Hut offers trampers an excellent weekend base or stop-over point. At times of high water flow levels, the Ngaruroro riverbed route becomes impassable and Kiwi Saddle offers a useful alternative.

Kiwi Saddle can provide a round trip experience for trampers departing Cameron carpark and travelling to Kiwi Mouth or Cameron Hut via the Ngaruroro River one way and returning Kiwi Saddle( or vice versa).

Kiwi Saddle can also provide a stop-over on more adventurous tramps to access the main Kaweka Range from the south. Trampers can continue on to Manson Hut via Kiwi Mouth Hut.

Kaweka Forest Park access conditions

We recommend 4WD vehicles to reduce wear on the road and safe travel.

  • Lotkow Road: The river crossings are regularly changing, check before crossing.
  • Lakes carpark is accessible via Kuripapango road. The previous access Castle Rock road is now closed due to ongoing forestry operations.
  • Lawrence Carpark access road: The last 600 m of the road is steep and not recommended for 2WD vehicles - a parking space is available before the descent. The Lawrence swing bridge has been removed.
  • Mackintosh car park is currently closed due to ongoing forestry operations. A new parking location can be located at a skid site near the closed gate (end of Kuripapango Road), this will add on 500 m walking to reach the start of the track.
  • Whittle Road: Be aware of trucks using the quarry. Give them right of way where possible. 

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BJ37
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1886256, N5641008