Upper Manuherikia Loop

Starting at the Homestead Campsite head north on to the track which is marked by orange poles. Follow this for the 1.5km along until it reaches the main 4WD track. Once on this track you basically follow it for the next 40km! Take a left and head along the road, after another approx 2km, you'll reach a sign which signposts the West and East branches of the Manuherikia. The way this guide is mapped is to take the left and head up the West Branch of the Manuherikia River. So take a left, and floow this road up. It crosses the river many times (I lost count) so give up any notion of keeping dry feet.

About 7km up the track you reach Boundary Creek Hut which is a nice place for a breather. Continue on your way up the valley and you'll eventually get to Top Hut, another quaint wee hut. The climbing starts here, round the corner you begin the climb up to Omarama Saddle where you'll be greeted with views North. From the Saddle, head right on to the Saddle Ridge track which takes you up and over the high point to Little Omarama Saddle. From here head downhill, alongside the East Branch of the Manuherikia River until you join back up at the junction you were at much earlier. From here retrace your steps back to the Homestead Campsite.