Image: Chris Dyson | Creative Commons
Child looking at wind swept tree in field.
Port Levy Saddle to Rod Donald Hut

Located in Banks Peninsula area in the Canterbury region

This track will will take through beautiful old growth tōtara forest at Waipuna Saddle and on to Rod Donald Hut which you can book for an overnight stay or visit as a day walk.

This track is part of the Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway

Cross Western Valley Road and follow the marked track to Waipuna Saddle. There is a beautiful old growth tōtara forest at Waipuna Saddle. This is on private land, but the landowner permits you to visit it.

Respect this very special place. Rod Donald Hut is down a side track and takes about 25 min to walk to from here. This section of the track is accessible by mountain bike, but bikes are best left at the top of the Rod Donald Hut track.

The Rod Donald Hut is on private land belonging to the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust and protected by a QEII National Trust covenant. As with Packhorse Hut, bunks must be pre-booked through this website, but day walkers are welcome to visit.

The Port Levy Saddle car park is at the top of Western Valley Road.

This steep, narrow gravel road connects Little River to Port Levy. It is not suitable for campervans or towing vehicles, and can be difficult for 2WD vehicles after heavy rain.

The track is suitable for people with moderate backcountry skills and experience. It's rough and steep in places.

The track is exposed to all weathers. It can be windy, cold and prone to low cloud in poor weather.