Huxley valley tracks

WalkCanterbury

Grade: Advanced
Walking time: 9 hr
Distance: 23 km

Access: read before you go

Park your car at the Ram Hill carpark at the road end, or if you have a 4WD vehicle carry on to Monument Hut.

Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.

Plan your access This place on doc.govt.nz

Getting there

We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.

How to get there, on doc.govt.nz

Huxley valley branches off Hopkins valley which is at the end of Lake Ohau Road, 60 km from Twizel. Follow SH 6 from Twizel, then turn into Lake Ohau Road.

The sealed road changes to gravel after passing Lake Ohau Lodge. Drive carefully and watch out for stock grazing beside the road. As a courtesy, drive slowly past Lake Ohau Station buildings to reduce dust.

Park your car at the Ram Hill carpark at the road end, or if you have a 4WD vehicle carry on to Monument Hut.

Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.

Map and tracks

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On this track:

Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 44.00588° S, 169.75519° E

Huxley valley tracks, walk in Canterbury — Photo and data: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai.

About this place

The Huxley valley branches off Hopkins valley in Ruataniwha Conservation Park.

The route

Ram Hill carpark to Huxley Forks Hut

Time: 6 hr

km If you have a 4WD you can drive to the conservation park boundary just south of Monument Hut. Otherwise walk 2 - 3 hours from the Ram Hill carpark to Monument Hut. From Monument Hut it is 3 hours to Huxley Forks Hut. There are tracks in the beech forest and a swing bridge if river levels are high. Otherwise it's quicker to walk in the Huxley River bed to reach the hut on the true left of the valley. Officers Hut is a basic hut that is 20 m from Huxley Forks Hut.

Huxley Forks Hut to Brodrick Hut

Time: 3 hr

4.5 km There have been a few natural slips in the North Huxley valley over the years, which means it takes slightly longer to reach Brodrick Hut. If river levels are low then the fastest travel is in the riverbed itself. From Brodrick Hut trampers may elect to climb over Brodrick Pass (1630 m) into the Landsborough valley.

Huxley Forks Hut to South Huxley Biv

Time: 3 hr

km Follow the marked route to South Huxley Biv, which is a very small hut.

Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.

Know before you go

Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross. Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out. How to cross rivers safely NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows

Be avalanche alert

This area has terrain that can produce avalanches that cross the track, usually from May into November. View avalanche information .

Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.

Joins these tracks

Hopkins valley tracksIntermediate • 21 - 35 km • 7 - 11 hr 30 min hr one way

Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.

On this track

In walking order.

Monument Hut

Standard • 6 bunks • Canterbury

Toilet
Heating
Water

Huxley Forks Hut

Standard • 8 bunks • Canterbury

Toilet
Heating
Water

Officers Hut

Basic/bivvies • 3 bunks • Canterbury

Brodrick Hut

Standard • 6 bunks • Canterbury

Toilet
Heating
Water

South Huxley Bivvy

2 bunks • Canterbury

Toilet
Heating
Water

Nearby stops

Red Hut

Standard • 12 bunks • Canterbury • 6.3 km

Red Hut is a historic hut located in Ruataniwha Conservation Park in Canterbury. It sits on a river fan of the Hopkins River, surrounded by beech forest.