Hope Kiwi Half

This is a nice in and out forest/ riverflats run that will bag you a half marathon and still give you time for a soak in the pools at Hanmer Springs should you desire. A very pleasant immersion into the less rugged part of the Southern Alps

Park up by the shelter - note cars do occasionally get broken into here, so don't leave anything valuable if overnighting at the hut or heading further up valley.

Hop the stile by the sign and follow the 4WD trail to the Amuri School Camp area. Follow the signposts down towards the river where you will be greeted with a massive swing bridge across the Boyle. Head on over this and steadily ascend up the farm boundary to the bush clad terraces above. Don't take a wrong turn onto the Tui Trail or else you will end up in the Doubtful Valley, and without a Hope of going the right way today. The Tui trail is in fact part of the Te Araroa link through from Boyle Village.

So head on up into the Hope Valley proper and soon you'll hit pristine beech forest. There are several areas as you head up valley where the red beech is just so massive that you'll want to stop and look around. When you do keep an eye out for the prolific birdlife, especially the ever curious South Island robins, fantails and bellbirds, among others.

The trail to Halfway Hope Hut involves a few small lumps and bumps, and some small river tributaries where you can drink some of the most refreshing water in the world. When we did it the trail was super dry, but in winter or wet conditions expect mud and slippery tree roots at times.

About half way in you'll hit a small open terrace with sweeping views of the mid section of the Hope. Be sure to look across and spot the historic Museum Hut on the far bank from here. Eventually further up the trail emerges into grassy flats where you may encounter some livestock. Carry on and you'll suddenly arrive at Half Way Hope Hut, pretty basic bunks and bench shelter and a bit flystruck, but it is a great spot to overnight if you want and not really so bad. It's really grown in its use since the Te Araroa trail got popular.

From here either retrace your steps for almost exactly a half marathon distance, or if you want extra for experts its about another 7km upvalley to the more modern and serviced Hope Kiwi Hut - a better option for overnighting.

Either way, be sure to snap a selfie on the swing bridge on the way out to show us your Wild Side spirit!