February 1, 2026
Top Timaru Hut to Pakituhi Hut
TA km marker 2580.8 to 2605.5
Hiked today: 24.7 km

Everyone in Top Timaru Hut was keen to get an early start. Somebody’s alarm went off at 5.45 and soon after there was a rustling as people started packing up. The sun wasn’t up but we were breakfasted, packed and on the trail by 6.30. Very soon we had left the grassy fields and entered forest. Initially the path was quite narrow with steep descents, then it widened and the slope became less steep as we wound down to a creek.

We had a number of cold creek crossings and then passed a NZ couple who were heading north. They told us that the track ahead was quite difficult. A sign as we started had warned us that the trail was difficult and shouldn’t be attempted in bad weather. Today the weather was good, sunny but not too hot. As we continued along the track to Stody’s hut, we soon came across sections that were steep and narrow and required care to navigate.

Some people try to hike through the river to avoid the trail that climbs steeply up over the hills but we were advised against doing this as the river depth can be unpredictable. The last stretch before Stody’s Hut was a very steep climb for the whole 2 km and we were exhausted when we finally made it.

Crackers and cheese gave us new vigour and we headed on, again ascending, although not so steeply now. Initially we had thought we might overnight at Stody’s Hut, but other hikers told us that the forecast was for a day of heavy rain tomorrow. We don’t want to have a long steep descent in the rain, so we decided to continue on to Pakituhi Hut.

This track followed a 4WD road, firstly ascending, then following the hilltops along Grandview Ridge Road, to the turnoff to our hut. There was an option of cresting another hill but we took the easier lower route after an exhausting day. In total we did more than 1500m ascents and 1000m descents.

Pakituhi is a nice, relatively new hut with 8 bunks. We have filled up with friendly hikers and even have one extra person who will sleep on the floor. Everyone is excited that we will be hiking into town tomorrow and we will all be taking the 4WD road which continues down to Lake Hawea.