Last Updated: 11th May 2024
Field Hut Frolic
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 11th May 2024
Grunt Factor: 33 ?
Gnarl Factor: 59 ?
12.1km
790m
790m
866m
Last Updated: 11th May 2024
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 11th May 2024
Grunt Factor: 33 ?
Gnarl Factor: 59 ?
12.1km
790m
790m
866m
Back country - remote
Out and Back
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +15.2%
Average Downhill Gradient: -15.2%
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4:00
Slow
3:00
Moderate
2:00
Fast
Not keen for the whole Southern Crossing? Or looking for something shorter? Its well worth lacing up and tackling the track to Field Hut and back, in itself a wonderful bush trail destination with some fairly decent vert to boot. Field Hut was built in 1924 by the Tararua Tramping Club, named after its then President, who was also the MP for Otaki for a while
Open tops await just beyond Field Hut and you may wish to extend the run by heading up over Table Top to Kime Hut. Beyond here you can follow the whole Southern Crossing- itself a route guide on the Trail Directory in its own right.
From the Carpark cross the Waiotauru swingbridge and head up on the river terraces. From here the trail is well marked and well formed, and climbs steadily for an hour or two, depending on your pace until you pop out to the historic hut just near the bushline. The map attached shows the route just to the hut, but if you have the time its well worth popping a few hundred meters further up in order to see the views, in the unlikely event that Tararua weather is playing ball!
Remember if venturing beyond the hut to take good gear, it can quickly turn to brutal conditions. However the described route to the hut and back can be tackled in any weather
Historic Field Hut
A taste of the Southern Crossing
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Take the Otaki Forks Road from the bridge at the main highway, its about 20km of windy mostly shingle road to the campground where you can park up and run to your hearts content.
18 km
24 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
Well marked to the hut, you shouldn't lose this trail. But do take a map.
Very patchy.
Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map
BYO but the hut has a water supply to top up with
Snow on tops in winter
If going beyond the described route not the Tararua's can be very stormy.
Otaki has plenty of options as the nearest town
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Field Hut Frolic
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The dogs really enjoyed this one, especially the gnarly bush bit and the paddle in the river afterwards. Quite muddy in parts but to be expected in August in the Tararuas.
August 10, 2019
Don't be fooled by the well graded track at the start, it soon turns into more classic gnarly Tararua trail. As out and backs go, a pretty nice one.
January 22, 2018
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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