Description

This is a basic four-bunk hut located in Ruahine Forest Park in the Manawatu region. There are no fees. Bookings not required - first come, first served. Facilities include open fire heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and water from a stream. The most commonly used route uses the headwaters of the Pohangina River. From Longview Hut follow waratahs into the upper Pohangina River and follow it through several waterfalls that must be negotiated with care. The river then provides straight-forward travel to the hut. To avoid the waterfalls, another route can be used that drops off the ridge in the saddle just south of Rocky Knob (S.H.1226m). The route descends through lightly cut leatherwood onto an open face and into the Pohangina River upstream from Top Gorge Hut. From Leon Kinvig Hut, follow the Pohangina River upstream negotiating several deep pools on the way. The main gorge (approximately 1 km downstream from Top Gorge Hut) has a rough route that sidles above on the true right. A non-maintained but well marked track leads off the Ngamoko Tops straight down onto Top Gorge Hut. A new alloy sign marks the turn off on top of the range. There are no waratah markers above the bushline and the foot pad is very vague so care must be taken in low visibility. Once in the bush, the track is very easy to follow until suddenly dropping into the Pohangina River down a regenerating slip, the hut is directly across the river. Altitude: 940m