Old Man Hut
Standard hutMount Richmond Forest Park, MarlboroughOpen
- Sleeps
- 5 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $15
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Non-flush
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.nzSlaty Hut: 5 hr
Lake Chalice Hut via Old Man: 7 hr (10 km)
From Lake Chalice Hut follow the eastern side of the lake for 15 minutes to the Old Man Track junction. Climb to point 1522 m, down a spur to a saddle, then continue up the other side to Old Man (1514 m). Continue west along the Richmond Range before descending to the hut.
Mid Goulter Hut: 4 hr (10 km)
From Mid Goulter Hut, follow the route for about 1 hour to a junction. Cross the main Goutler River and continue up the steep, true left side of the tributary for about 1 hour 30 minutes before crossing it. Continue climbing to a flat clearing, on the edge of which lies Old Man Hut.
Mt Rintoul Hut: 5 hr (4.5 km)
A short bush track leads to scree slopes heading to Mt Rintoul (1731m). It is rocky and exposed involving some scrambling – take particular care and be prepared to wait out adverse weather. It is possible to climb along the very sharp and rugged ridge, or to sidle on the southern side below the ridge. The track then carries on past a saddle onto Little Rintoul (1643 m). Old Man Hut is signposted off the main ridge.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BR26
- Grid reference
- E1622604, N5402906
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 41.52522° S, 173.27088° E
About this place
This is a standard 5-bunk hut in the South Marlborough area.
On the way here
Alpine Route
Slaty Hut to Old Man Hut
Time: 5 hr
The Alpine Route sidles around the basin below Slaty Peak before climbing gradually back onto the main ridge, which is followed right through until Old Man Peak. The route is entirely above the bushline, except when it descends into forested saddles before Ada Flat and at the base of Old Man Peak. There is a sign-posted junction at the summit of Old Man Peak (1514 m), with the left-hand route leading down to Lake Chalice or to the Forks/Top Valley. The Alpine Route continues along the main summit ridge. Old Man Hut is located on a natural grassy clearing 200 m below the ridge, and is reached on a sign-posted access track.
Old Man Hut to Rintoul Hut
Time: 5 hr
A sign-posted access track leads back to the main ridge, from which the Alpine Route climbs up blocky scree to the summit of Little Rintoul (1643 m). The route descends 250 m down a rocky ridge to a saddle, then climbs steeply again to the Mt Rintoul summit (1731 m). This is the highest point of the Alpine Route and is also the most difficult part of the trip. The terrain is steep and broken and can be treacherously icy during winter. Particular care should be taken. From the summit, the route descends the summit ridge before dropping down scree slopes to the bushline. A short track then leads to Rintoul Hut. Both the hut and Mt Rintoul summit offer magnificent views, particularly over the Waimea Plains and Tasman Bay. From Old Man Hut, it is also possible to head directly down to the Goulter River.
Old Man Hut Circuit · 2 days
Lake Chalice Hut to Old Man Hut
Time: 7 hr
km From Lake Chalice Hut follow the eastern side of the lake for 15 minutes to the Old Man Track junction. Climb to point 1522 m, down a spur to a saddle, then continue up the other side to Old Man (1514 m). Continue west along the Richmond Range before descending to the hut.
Old Man Hut to Staircase Road via Goulter River
Time: 7 hr
17.3 km From Old Man Hut descend steeply to a stream, following it to the Goulter River. From there, follow the undulating track to the western end of Lake Chalice and on to Lake Chalice Hut. From the hut the benched track climbs to Staircase Road.
Richmond Ranges Te Araroa route · 8 days
Slaty Hut to Old Man Hut
Time: 5 hr
The track sidles around the basin below Slaty Peak, before climbing gradually back onto the main ridge, which is followed until Old Man Peak. The route is entirely above the bush line, except when it descends to forested saddles before Ada Flat and at the base of Old Man Peak. There is a sign-posted junction at the summit of Old Man Peak (1514 m), with the left-hand route leading down to Lake Chalice or to the Forks/Top Valley. The Richmond Ranges Te Araroa Track continues along the main summit ridge. Old Man Hut is in a natural grassy clearing 200 m below the ridge and is reached on a sign-posted access track. Old Man Hut
Old Man Hut to Mt Rintoul Hut
Time: 5 hr
A sign-posted access track leads back to the main ridge, from which the Richmond Ranges Te Araroa Track climbs up blocky scree to the summit of Little Rintoul (1643 m). The route descends 250 m down a rocky ridge to a saddle, then climbs steeply again to the Mt Rintoul summit (1731 m). This is the highest point of the track and is also the most difficult part. The terrain is steep and broken and can be treacherously icy during winter. Particular care should be taken. From the summit, the route descends the summit ridge before dropping down scree slopes to the bush line. A short track then leads to Mt Rintoul Hut. Both the hut and Mt Rintoul summit offer magnificent views, particularly over the Waimea Plains and Tasman Bay. From Old Man Hut, it is also possible to head directly down to the Goulter River. Mt Rintoul Hut
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Trip options
Walking times come from DOC track descriptions, added up leg by leg from car-accessible trailheads. Nights and return times are ParkUp estimates, allowing about 8 hours of walking a day.
14 options · 1 to 8 nights
Staircase Road
Walking in
8 hr (via Lake Chalice Hut)
Walking out
7 hr to Staircase Road via Goulter River
Walking in
8 hr (via Lake Chalice Hut)
Walking out
8 hr to Staircase Road (via Lake Chalice Hut)
Staircase Road via Goulter River
Tracks used: Alpine Route → Old Man Hut Circuit
Walking in
7 hr
Walking out
13 hr 30 min to Hacket road end (via Starveall Hut, Slaty Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Fees and bookings
Before you go, buy Hut Tickets for each night's stay. Put these in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12 month period. Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes Te Araroa – The Trail Pass Te Araroa Trail Pass
Book Old Man Hut online
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Mt Rintoul Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Marlborough • 4.2 km
Mt Rintoul Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the South Marlborough area.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Slaty Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Marlborough • 4.5 km
Slaty Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Motueka area of the Nelson/Tasman region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Starveall Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Tasman • 7.8 km
Starveall Hut is a standard 6-bunk hut located in the Motueka area of the Tasman region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Tarn Hut
Standard • 5 bunks • Marlborough • 9.1 km
Tarn Hut is a standard five-bunk hut located in the South Marlborough area.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Hacket Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Tasman • 12.3 km
Hacket Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Motueka area of the Tasman region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Lake Chalice Hut tracks
Advanced • 1 hr to hut | 2 hr 30 min loop from hut • 2.6 km to hut | 6.5 km loop from hut • 6.29 km away
Pelorus Track
Advanced • 3-4 days • 12.77 km away
Mt Richmond routes
Expert • 2 days • 28.5 km full circuit • 13.64 km away
Hacket Track
Advanced • 4 hr return • 11.4 km • 14.29 km away
Contact
Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough information
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- DOC Huts (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.