Young Hut
Serviced hutMount Aspiring National Park, OtagoOpen
Current advisories
Predator control for Mt Aspiring National Park
01 June 2026
A predator control operation using toxic bait containing 1080 was completed on 2 March 2026. The operation area includes Mt Aspiring National Park. It is open to the public with warning signs in place at key entrances. There may be toxic carcasses and bait (green coloured pellets) in the area. Do not touch the bait or animal carcasses. Water supply at the huts will be unaffected as tanks will be disconnected from the guttering, but as usual we recommend treating water before drinking. This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species. First published on 16 September 2025. Last reviewed on 2 June 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 20 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $25
- 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.nz- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BZ12
- Grid reference
- E1287389, N5101129
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. 44.17460° S, 169.08991° E
About this place
This is a serviced 20-bunk hut in the Wanaka/Makarora area. You need to book to stay at this hut during the summer season. Book online before you go.
On the way here
Gillespie Pass Circuit · 3 - 4 days
Makarora to Young Hut
Time: 6 to 7 hr
km Access to the Young valley is signposted on the left, 2.5 km north of Makarora. Cross the stile and follow the orange poles to the junction of the Young and Makarora rivers. Do not attempt to cross the Makarora River if: Trampers have drowned attempting this crossing. If Makarora River is too high to cross safely, there are three options Once across the Makarora, follow Young River on the true left to a swing bridge at the junction of the North and South branches (3 to 4 hours). The track divides after the bridge, and the Young Forks campsite is 200 m upstream, with an open shelter and toilet which campers are encouraged to use. The track to Young Hut (550 m) continues downstream to cross a grassy flat then enters the forest on the true left of South Branch, just beyond the junction. The track climbs steeply for 100 m and then sidles through a series of unstable slips to reach Stag Creek. From here, it’s a steady climb to Young Hut. Camping is not allowed around Young Hut. The cleared area is a helicopter landing site.
Young Hut to Siberia Hut
Time: 6 to 8 hr
km Climb 1 hour to the bushline, cross the bridge over the upper Young and follow the valley floor for about 20 minutes until you reach the start of the Gillespie Pass track on your left. This is usually the last water source until well over the alpine pass, so fill your water bottles before leaving the valley. The track climbs steeply alongside a rock bluff onto a snow-grass spur that, after 3 to 4 hours, veers off to the left before the pass and climbs the ridge to a height of 1600 m. From here, there’s an impressive view, with Mount Awful dominating the skyline. This section is snow covered in winter/spring and should only be attempted during these times by parties with alpine and avalanche experience. The track descends steeply before sidling down through a series of snow grass basins. Take care as snow grass can be very slippery when wet. The track enters the forest on a small predominant spur and leads down to Gillespie Stream. The track continues down through the forest, sidling above Gillespie Stream before descending in a series of zigzags to Siberia Stream. On the valley floor, it’s an easy 1 hour walk to Siberia Hut (630 m). During high rainfall an unnamed creek two minutes from Siberia hut can become uncrossable. High above Siberia Valley, nestled under Mount Alba, is Lake Crucible, an excellent day trip from Siberia Hut. Go up the valley flats to Crucible Stream where after initially crossing Siberia Stream the track enters the forest on the true left. The track then climbs a narrow spur, sidles around to a river crossing, and comes out on a snow grass flat. Follow the pole markers in the upper basin and go up the flat to the lake. In Crucible Valley, between May to November, there is risk of avalanche debris crossing the track. The tiny rockwren/pīwauwau can often be seen among the large rocks at the lake outlet. Camping is not allowed in Crucible Basin because of its fragile alpine herb fields.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
No visitor centre in Makarora
Contact the Awarua/Haast or Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park visitor centres instead.
Camping is not allowed around Young Hut
The cleared area is a helicopter landing site.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Fees and bookings
1 May - 30 September
1 October - 30 April
Weekdays
Weekends
1 December - 29 February
Weekdays
Weekends
Backcountry Hut Passes can be used for this hut from 1 May to 30 September. Passes won't be accepted from 1 October to 30 April.
Bookings for stays from 22 October 2026 to 30 April 2027. If no availability shows online for your dates, the hut is fully booked. No spaces are kept for visitors arriving without a booking. Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee. Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain. Labour weekend (late October) – 30 April Bookings are required. Pay when you make a booking. 1 May – Labour weekend (late October) Bookings are not required but fees still apply. Before you go, buy 1 Serviced Hut Ticket (green) or 1 Serviced Youth Hut Ticket (red) for each night's stay. Put these in the honesty box at the hut. Book Young Hut online .
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Siberia Hut
Serviced • 20 bunks • Otago • 4 km
Siberia Hut is a serviced 20-bunk hut located in the Wānaka/Makarora area of Otago. Booking is required for stays during the summer season and can be arranged…
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Young Forks Campsite
Backcountry • Otago • 4.3 km
Young Forks Campsite is a walk-in backcountry campsite located in the Wanaka/Makarora area of Otago. It serves as a stop on the Gillespie Pass Circuit and…
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Water from stream
Kerin Forks Hut
Serviced • 10 bunks • Otago • 8.4 km
Kerin Forks Hut is a serviced 10-bunk hut located in the Wanaka/Makarora area of Otago.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Makarora Cafe Motor Home Park
Otago • 13.4 km
Makarora Cafe Motor Home Park is a campsite located in the Otago region. The site is associated with the Makarora Cafe and is situated in the Makarora area.
Siberia Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Marlborough • 412.2 km
Siberia Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the South Marlborough area.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Makarora Bush Walk
Easiest • 15 min • 700 m • 12.93 km away
Young River Link Track
Intermediate • 3 -4 hr • 14 km • 13.67 km away
Mount Shrimpton Track
Advanced • 5 hr return to bush edge • 6 km • 14 km away
Blue Valley Track
Advanced • 2-3 hr one way to Camp Flat • 2.5 km to Camp Flat • 14.1 km away
Wilkin Valley tracks
Advanced • 4–5 days • 14.12 km away
Contact
Wānaka Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- 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).