This hut is owned and maintained by the Heretaunga Tramping Club.

For overnight stays donations should be sent to:

Heretaunga Tramping Club
316 Te Aute Rd, RD2
Hastings 4172
Email: tramphtc@gmail.com

Online banking details:

Name: Heretaunga Tramping Club
Account number: 03-0642-0802494-00

Walking

Cameron Carpark (4 hr)

From Cameron carpark, a marked track ascends a narrow ridge to reach Mt Kuripapango (1250 metres). Mt Kuripapango can also be reached by the "Lakes" carpark (allow 3/4 hour to reach Mt Kuripapango). The track continues north west along the Smith-Russell Track to reach a high point of 1359 metres. From here the track descends then ascends again to the junction of the Cameron Hut Track. Kiwi Saddle Hut is reached at the foot of an exposed ridge.

Kiwi Mouth Hut (3 hr)

From Kiwi Mouth Hut allow 2 – 3 hours to ascend one of two alternative tracks to Kiwi Saddle Hut.

A poled route from Studholme Saddle via Castle Camp also gives access from the north.

Caution – the higher altitude/exposed ridges in this area can receive sudden weather changes associated with very cold temperatures, poor visibility and high winds.

Tramping

The location of Kiwi Saddle Hut offers trampers an excellent weekend base or stop-over point. At times of high water flow levels, the Ngaruroro riverbed route becomes impassable and Kiwi Saddle offers a useful alternative.

Kiwi Saddle can provide a round trip experience for trampers departing Cameron carpark and travelling to Kiwi Mouth or Cameron Hut via the Ngaruroro River one way and returning Kiwi Saddle( or vice versa).

Kiwi Saddle can also provide a stop-over on more adventurous tramps to access the main Kaweka Range from the south. Trampers can continue on to Manson Hut via Kiwi Mouth Hut.