My highlights were the Rotokawa Pools, helping my group of 3 generations across the stream below Waitonga falls, and last but definitely not least, watching the sunset above Blyth hut. See the full description of my walk below. This walk is in the Tongariro National Park and Mt Ruapehu area.
Olly personally reviewed, documented, photographed and walked to Blyth Hut In Aug 2022.
The walk starts at the 11km point on the Ohakune Mountain Road, providing access to Turoa Ski area.
An important thing to note is that the starting point is not Blyth Track which is at the 7km mark. Unless you want to walk the extra 5.5km, make sure you start at the Waitonga Falls track carpark. This is a proper carpark with space for at least 10 cars. As always make sure to take all your valuables with you.
After a short amount of time, you will pass over the Mangawhero river which can be frozen on odd occasions due to the track’s altitude of around 1250m. Soon after the bridge, you will climb a flight of stairs and ascend up and out of the tree cover to the Rotokawa Pools where on a clear day you will find some breathtaking views of Turoa Ski area and the surrounding slopes.
Many places along the track give you glimpses of Ruapehu’s summit peaks such as Paretetaitonga, Tahurangi, and Girdlestone. Once you have reached the pools, don’t forget to snap a picture before you continue.
You will then re-emerge back into the Beech forest, providing cover as you descend down to Waitonga Falls. This decent is fairly lengthy with a good amount of steps.
Once you’ve checked out the falls, the track runs downstream a few hundred meters before crossing over. This is where you will get your feet wet. That is unless you are desperate and need to rock hop.
At this turnoff, take the left turn up towards the hut. This will weave you through more Beech forest until you get to a clearing where you might be lucky enough to get a glimpse of Mt Taranaki.
You will then cross over the stream to avoid a small waterfall crossing back over above minutes later. Rounding the corner, you will see Lupton Hut; only 350m to go!
After crossing the stream once again, you pass through a small section of bush and then emerge below a large scree slope. After scaling the switchback, you will find a white staircase that will bring you up to the ridgeline. Blyth Hut is only a couple of muddy steps from this point.
Blyth hut is a serviced 20 bunk hut equipped with a log burner, plenty of firewood, and a pretty nice long drop toilet (*no toilet paper*).
The hut features an indoor sink and tap to stop the water pipes from freezing up.
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