Description

Makahu Saddle Hut is situated within a red and mountain beech mixed forest below steep eroded scree slopes of the main Kaweka Range. This is a standard four-bunk hut located in Kaweka Forest Park in the Hawkes Bay region. Fees apply. Bookings not required - first come, first served. Facilities include heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and water from a stream. Makahu Saddle Hut is located in the mid-eastern area of the Kaweka Forest Park, 5 minutes walk from the end of Kaweka Road (Makahu Saddle carpark). The hut is sited at 980 metres altitude between the Makahu Stream/Mohaka River catchment to the north and the Donald River/Tutaekuri River catchment to the south. The saddle can experience strong to gale force north west winds or very cold southerly changes that produce high levels of precipitation including snow over the winter months. Built in 1957 as a trial to the subsequent development of the NZFS SF70 Huts design, this hut has been maintained to reflect its original construction. The original open-style fireplace also remains. Please replace firewood used. Getting there Walking The hut is reached after 5 minutes walk from the Kaweka Roadend carpark. Tramping Makahu Saddle is ideally located for a day, weekend or the start of an extended tramp. Options are available to travel in any direction. To the north Middle Hill Hut, to the north, can be reached in 3 hours via Kaweka Flats Bivouac (1 hour). Trampers can make a semi-circular trip from Middle Hill and out to Makahu Road as an over-nighter with suitable transportation arranged for drop-off and pick-up. To the east Four kilometres before Makahu Saddle a short road turns off Kaweka Road and leads to Little's Clearing. A track which is mainly used for hunting access leads from the loop walk on to Black Birch Range. Black Birch Bivouac is 1.5 hours along the range. To the south Kuripapango Road, to the south, can be reached via Mackintosh Hut aft