Blyth Hut Return

From the carpark, you immediately enter the native Beech forest on a well maintained single trail, wind your way up to the boardwalk where the forest opens up to some alpine tarns with a picture perfect view of Mt Ruapehu.

*Note - there is a turnoff to your right for the 'Old Blyth Track' before the tarns, don't veer off here, just continue straight ahead.

After the boardwalk, you descend down to the Waitonga falls - this section of the trail is pretty family friendly and has good view points of the falls which are impressive after some rain or in the spring with snow melt.

From the falls, the trail is marked with blue posts as you cross the stream in several places and re enter the bush on the other side, there is some climbing of tree roots here where the trail is a bit worn, but is still well marked. 2.5km in from the carpark is the turnoff to Blyth hut, turn left here (continue straight for the Round the Mountain track). Follow the marked track up to Blyth Hut which is 4.0km in (you will pass another private hut on your left, 3.6km in).

Worth getting to the top for a sunrise or sunset pic.