Lake Matiri Hut

Note that some tracks take longer to walk due to fallen trees and overgrown vegetation. From the DOC carpark at Matiri roadend follow the Lake Matiri Hut Track for 1.5 hr to Lake Matiri Hut.

Lake Matiri Hut to Poor Petes Hut

Time: 3 hr

From the fork in the track just beyond Bay Creek a tramping track climbs abruptly up a spur. After about 40 minutes there is a good place for a rest and to take in the panorama of the Matiri Valley and lake below. The track continues steeply through a diverse forest of silver and mountain beech, kamahi, rata and mountain totara. The plateau rim is reached in about two hours from Lake Matiri Hut - a huge expanse of tussock land dotted with patches of stunted forest. Beyond the rim a marked route sets out across the boggy-in-places plateau to Poor Petes Hut.

Lake Matiri Hut to McConchies Hut

Time: 9 hr Note: The track now takes 9 hr to walk due to fallen trees and overgrown vegetation.

Sidle around the western shore of the lake through beautiful beech forest. Just beyond the open flats where Bay Creek flows into the lake signs indicate the track to the 1000 Acre Plateau and the upper Matiri Valley. Continue up-valley on river flats for several kilometres. Travel slows as the valley narrows, two steep climbs avoid gorge sections. McConchies Hut is about half way up Matiri Valley.

Park at the Matiri roadend carpark and cross the West Branch (this was bridged in 2020 so allows all weather access). Follow the road alongside the river before entering the forest and climbing the face of a slip brought down by an ancient earthquake. The track levels out and soon reaches Lake Matiri Hut overlooking the tranquil Lake Matiri.

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