Hackett to Brook St via Rocks

From the Hackett picnic area head across the bridge & up the forestry road. After 1 km, you will cross a swing bridge & then head off on your way up the single track. There are a few places where the river has eaten away at the track so show some caution. At approx. the 4 km mark you will come to a fork in the track, take the left branch towards Browning Hut (the right branch goes to Hackett Hut which is worth a look on another day).

From here you have a few river crossings, on low days you won't get your feet wet, you then head up & over a small hill & then drop down into a small gorge. Be careful here as you have to climb over some large boulders which can be slippery, you then have another river crossing & then head into a climb for a couple of km's before you reach Browning Hut at approx. 8 km.

After Browning Hut you have a very steep climb for 1 km & then a more steady climb through the bush before you come out on the open tops for a few hundred metres. On a clear day you will have a good view back towards Brightwater/Wakefield. You then head back into the bush for quite a few km's. There was quite a bit of windfall here a few years back but DOC have cleared a good path through. As you near Rocks Hut the track tends to be quite middy year-round & a lot of roots so good ankle twisting ground.

It's worth a stop at Rocks as this is a major stopping point on the TA Trail so a good chance to meet some tourists. From Rocks Hut head towards Dun Mountain Saddle, then drop down to the Coppermine Saddle & follow NZ's oldest railway line down to Brook St approx. 18 km away. The decent (as you would imagine being a railway line) is easy going so enjoy the run back to Brook St, Nelson. After approx. 6 km you will pass 3rd House, and then another 4 km or so you reach 4 corners (don't turn left here) & then on down to the Tantragee Saddle & follow the road or Codgers Trail down to Brook St.