Image: Sharon Hart | Creative Commons
Jans Hut, Catchpool Valley.
Jans Hut

Located in Catchpool Valley & Ōrongorongo Valley and Remutaka Forest Park in the Wellington/Kapiti region

This is a serviced nine-bunk hut in the Wellington region. The hut is accessed via crossing the Ōrongorongo River, is locked and must be booked in advance to gain access.

This is a popular site so book well in advance.

This hut is sole occupancy and locked – refer to your booking confirmation for how to obtain the access code.

Jans Hut lies in the bush on the east side of the Ōrongorongo River – wet feet are part of the adventure. Check river levels before crossing.

Facilities provided

  • Gas cooking, crockery and cooking utensils
  • Cold tap water
  • Wood heating with wet back for a hot shower
  • Flush toilet

What you need to bring

  • Candles or torches for lighting
  • Matches or lighter
  • Toilet paper

Fees

The fees are for up to 9 people. 

  • Off-peak (9 February – 25 December): $105 per night
  • Peak (26 December – 08 February): $125 per night

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

Bookings

Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2025.

All bookings are first-come first-served. We do not have waiting lists for bookings for future seasons or facilities that are already booked-out.

The hut is locked and requires an access code to open. You get this access code after you book.

Book Jans Hut online.

A $10 service fee applies to phone and in-person booking. This is a limited service – book online first. An in-person booking is dependent on there being space available.

Your hut booking is for any bunk bed, not for a specific bunk bed – select your bunk bed on arrival.

The Ōrongorongo River is not safe to cross in all conditions. If the river is flooded, rising or there is rain forecast, do not attempt to cross. Contact DOC to arrange a refund instead, by contacting the Nelson Visitor Centre

You will be eligible for a refund if you had to cancel your stay due to river safety.

Note: The Ōrongorongo track does not lead all the way to this hut. The river needs to be followed via the instructions below.

Jans Hut is a 2 hour 30 minute walk via the Ōrongorongo Track.

Turere Bridge (end of Ōrongorongo Track) to Jans Hut

Time: 15 min

From Turere Bridge at the end of the Ōrongorongo Track, cross the Ōrongorongo River to Browns Stream, which is visible directly opposite the Turere Bridge.

About 100 m up Browns Stream (opposite Waerenga Hut) a large orange triangle on the true right marks the beginning of the track to Jans Hut. It's an undulating track which winds its way through the bush, parallel to the Ōrongorongo River.

Five minutes along the track you reach the site of the former Oaks hut, the track continues on the right behind the old floor pad. Continue along the track, passing a private hut on your left.

After 10 minutes the track makes a sharp right turn uphill – continue following the orange triangles to Jans Hut.

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BQ32
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates:  E1765776, N5421386

Check the flow of the Ōrongorongo River before you go, as flash floods are common. Avoid crossing the river when it's in flood or if there has been sustained rainfall in the area

Look out for the warning signs of an unsafe river: water flowing faster than walking pace, discoloured water, debris in the river, and the sound of rocks rolling in the river bed.

If you aren’t sure it’s safe, don’t risk it – wait for the river to drop (this often happens quickly once rain stops), or change your plans and return another day.

Learn how to cross a river safely on the Mountain Safety Council river skills webpage.

If you want to light a fire (eg for cooking) while in the Remutaka Forest Park, visit www.checkitsalright.co.nz. This will tell you the current fire status and if you need a fire permit. At times of high fire danger, there may be a total ban on fires. Please respect any fire restrictions, they keep native wildlife and visitors safe.