Description

This is a basic three-bunk hut located in Ruahine Forest Park in the Hawkes Bay region. There are no fees. Bookings not required - first come, first served. Facilities include open fire heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and water (not treated - boil before use). The easiest access departs from Paget Road on the true left of the Makaretu River and requires permission from two adjoining landowners. Follow the farm track through farm paddocks before dropping into the river before entering the forestry block. Walk up the river for several hundred meters and ascend a steep farm track on the true right. From here follow the farm track that sidles above the river past an old tractor and some private huts. Orange triangles lead through scrub for the final part of the journey. The hut can also be accessed via the Makaretu River from Kashmir Roadend or Makaretu Road. For Makaretu Road, permission from adjoining landowners is required. Access through public land is available by walking downstream from Makaretu or Awatere Huts. An access track leaves the river at the junction of the North and South Makaretu Rivers, climbing steeply before sidling though to Happy Daze Hut.