Mt Hutt Conservation Area takes in the upper catchments of Dry Creek and Pudding Hill Stream, and west to waterfall Creek. From the summit of Mt Hutt (2189m), the land falls steeply down to the Canterbury Plains. The bush is a small remnant of the forests that once extended over much of the plains. Mt Hutt Conservation Area and Pudding Hill Scenic Reserve are managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Awa Awa Rata Reserve is cared for by the Reserve Society and Ashburton District Council.
| Distance: | 13.5 kms, approx 15 minutes from Methven |
| Directions: | From the Methven i-SITE Visitor Centre take SH77 north out of town. Continue along Mount Hutt Station Road. Turn left at Waimarama Road and continue along this road until you reach the Inland Scenic Route 72 junction. Continue straight onto McLennans Bush Road. Awa Awa Rata Reserve is at the end of this road. |
| Facilities: | Picnic and barbeque facilities are available at Awa Awa Rata Reserve. |
| More information: | - Collect a Mt Hutt Forest brochure from the Methven i-SITE Visitor Centre - Contact the local Department of Conservation office |
Rhododendron Walk
| Distance: | 505m, 10 minutes one way |
| Classification: | Path/Short Walk (Click on link for more information on walkway classification) |
| About the walk: | This pleasant walk follows a stream through native bush and rhododendron plantings. |
Te Awa Awa Walk
| Distance: | 542m, 15 minutes one way |
| Classification: | Path/Short Walk (Click on link for more information on walkway classification) |
| About the walk: | This short walk starts in Awa Awa Rata Reserve and climbs gently through native bush before joining the end of the metalled road through the reserve. |
Lookout Walk
| Distance: | 628m, 10 minutes one way |
| Classification: | Path/Short Walk (Click on link for more information on walkway classification) |
| About the walk: | This walk starts from the Mt Hutt Skifield Access Road and goes a short distance along a ridge to a bench. There are extensive views of Mount Hutt Basin and Pudding Hill Stream. |
Alder Track
| Distance: | 834m, 30 minutes one way |
| Classification: | Walking Track (Click on link for more information on walkway classification) |
| About the walk: | This track starts in Awa Awa Rata Reserve and goes through alder-covered flats at the base of the hill. It then climbs through a larch plantation to connect with the southern end of Ridge Track. |
Opuke
| Distance: | 814m, 30 minutes one way |
| Classification: | Walking Track (Click on link for more information on walkway classification) |
| About the walk: | This track connects the Ridge Track with the end of the metalled road through Awa Awa Rata Reserve. |
Ridge Track
| Distance: | 2.2km, 45 minutes one way |
| Classification: | Easy Tramping Track (Click on link for more information on walkway classification) |
| About the walk: | This track follows the ridge above Pudding Hill Stream and connects with Alder, Opuke and Scotts Saddle Tracks. |
Scotts Saddle Track
| Distance: | 4.4km, 2 hours one way |
| Classification: | Easy Tramping Track (Click on link for more information on walkway classification) |
| About the walk: | This track starts from the car park in Awa Awa Rata Reserve and climbs steadily to a ridge top. It passes through beech/tawhairauriki forest before climbing to alpine herb and tussock/wi communities. The track then joins the Mt Hutt Skifield access road at Scotts Saddle. On a clear day there are good views from Scotts Saddle to pudding Hill Stream, Mt Hutt skifield, Canterbury plains and the Port Hills above Christchurch. |
Pudding Hill Stream Route
| Distance: | 8.25km, 3 hours one way |
| Classification: | Route (Click on link for more information on walkway classification) |
| About the walk: | This route can be accessed from either Mt Hutt Skifield access road, the western end of Alder Track or from Harts Road. Pudding Hill Stream is negotiable in all but flood conditions. However, about 1 km upstream of the turn onto Mt Hutt Range the steam bed narrows into a steep-sided gorge, which makes further progress difficult. Caution: This route involves repeated river crossings of Pudding Hill Stream, Trampers should be prepared for cold, wet or windy conditions. |
Loop Tracks
Loops can be made by combining tracks. A loop walk that takes 1 hour 30 min can be made by combining Opuke, Ridge and Alder tracks. A longer loop combining the first section of Scotts Track with Ridge and Alder tracks takes 1 hour 45 min. These loops can be walked in either direction.
