John Reid Hut is positioned at 1240 m elevation, just above the tree line, on the eastern side of the Arthur Range. Access is easiest via Chummies Track from the Wangapeka and the hut can be visited as part of multi-day trips to Kiwi Saddle. The hut is named after John Reid, a local helicopter pilot who frequently flew in the backcountry and transported material for the original hut, built in 1963.
| Details | |
| Length | 8 km one way |
| Time Required | 3-5 hr one way |
| Trail Type | Tramping track |
| Physical Difficulty | Hard |
| Uses | Walking and trail running |
| Start elevation | 280 m |
| End elevation | 1240 m (hut) |
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Gibbs Route
Walking
Kiwi Saddle Hut
Walking
1 hr 30 min from Nelson
Chummies Track begins near the start of the Wangapeka Track, in the Wangapeka Valley, southwest of Nelson.
From Tapawera, cross the Motueka River and head southwest along Tadmor Valley Rd, then turn right onto Tadmor-Bushend Rd. From Matariki the road is unsealed. Follow the road to the Dart River Ford; this cannot be crossed when running high (check here). Continue for a further 7 km to the Kahurangi National Park boundary, where a grassed area allows parking and an information panel provides a map and track details. This is where Chummies Track starts.
Note that Chummies Track fords the Wangapeka River and therefore requires the river level to be such that allows it to be crossed safely.
Chummies Track begins by fording Wangapeka River (no bridge; impassable if running high), before climbing the hillside on the opposite bank. Here the track gains 500 m elevation in a little over a kilometre, climbing to the crest of the ridge that leads to the hut. Once on the ridge the climb continues, though the gradient eases and some openings provide views to Mt Baldy and Mt Gomorrah on the Arthur Range to the north.
Upon reaching the tree line, the track sidles the mountainside through tussock and mountain flax, crossing several small streams, before reaching the hut, which is positioned to enjoy impressive views across the Wangapeka Valley to Mt Owen.
| John Reid Hut | |
| Hut Type | Standard Hut |
| Capacity | 6 bunks |
| Bookings | Not required; first in, first served |
| Altitude | 1240 m |
John Reid Hut to Kiwi Saddle Hut
An unofficial but well-trodden route continues southwest along the Arthur Range, leading to the tree line near Kiwi Saddle.
From the hut, a poled route leads to the top of the range above the hut. The route from here is unmarked, but straightforward to follow in snow-free conditions. It goes overtop and around peaks that jut along the narrow range before climbing the gentle slope of the high point, pt 1566, from which Gibbs Route can be accessed on the south eastern slope.
Onwards from pt 1566, the route descends to the saddle on the northern side of Mt Patriarch and drops off the ridge to the west, descending to the tree line where the marked route leads through the forest down to Kiwi Saddle Hut.
John Reid hut is also a great base for climbing Mt Gomorrah (1592 m). This is at least a half-day journey from the hut, and requires navigation skills as there is no defined route.
John Reid Hut is located in an alpine environment, so proper preparation and care should be made to ensure a safe trip. You must always be prepared for freezing conditions and take extra care if snow and ice and are present. Do not rely on the Nelson weather forecast as the alpine conditions in Kahurangi National Park are likely to be drastically different. The Wangapeka Track cannot be crossed safely if running high. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you as there are no water sources on the way up.
See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.
John Reid Hut is positioned at 1240 m elevation, just above the tree line, on the eastern side of the Arthur Range. Access is easiest via Chummies Track from the Wangapeka and the hut can be visited as part of multi-day trips to Kiwi Saddle. The hut is named after John Reid, a local helicopter pilot who frequently flew in the backcountry and transported material for the original hut, built in 1963.
| Details | |
| Length | 8 km one way |
| Time Required | 3-5 hr one way |
| Trail Type | Tramping track |
| Physical Difficulty | Hard |
| Uses | Walking and trail running |
| Start elevation | 280 m |
| End elevation | 1240 m (hut) |
1 hr 30 min from Nelson
Chummies Track begins near the start of the Wangapeka Track, in the Wangapeka Valley, southwest of Nelson.
From Tapawera, cross the Motueka River and head southwest along Tadmor Valley Rd, then turn right onto Tadmor-Bushend Rd. From Matariki the road is unsealed. Follow the road to the Dart River Ford; this cannot be crossed when running high (check here). Continue for a further 7 km to the Kahurangi National Park boundary, where a grassed area allows parking and an information panel provides a map and track details. This is where Chummies Track starts.
Note that Chummies Track fords the Wangapeka River and therefore requires the river level to be such that allows it to be crossed safely.
Chummies Track begins by fording Wangapeka River (no bridge; impassable if running high), before climbing the hillside on the opposite bank. Here the track gains 500 m elevation in a little over a kilometre, climbing to the crest of the ridge that leads to the hut. Once on the ridge the climb continues, though the gradient eases and some openings provide views to Mt Baldy and Mt Gomorrah on the Arthur Range to the north.
Upon reaching the tree line, the track sidles the mountainside through tussock and mountain flax, crossing several small streams, before reaching the hut, which is positioned to enjoy impressive views across the Wangapeka Valley to Mt Owen.
| John Reid Hut | |
| Hut Type | Standard Hut |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Bookings | Not required; first in, first served |
| Altitude | 1240 m |
An unofficial but well-trodden route continues southwest along the Arthur Range, leading to the tree line near Kiwi Saddle.
From the hut, a poled route leads to the top of the range above the hut. The route from here is unmarked, but straightforward to follow in snow-free conditions. It goes overtop and around peaks that jut along the narrow range before climbing the gentle slope of the high point, pt 1566, from which Gibbs Route can be accessed on the south eastern slope.
Onwards from pt 1566, the route descends to the saddle on the northern side of Mt Patriarch and drops off the ridge to the west, descending to the tree line where the marked route leads through the forest down to Kiwi Saddle Hut.
John Reid hut is also a great base for climbing Mt Gomorrah (1592 m). This is at least a half-day journey from the hut, and requires navigation skills as there is no defined route.
John Reid Hut is located in an alpine environment, so proper preparation and care should be made to ensure a safe trip. You must always be prepared for freezing conditions and take extra care if snow and ice and are present. Do not rely on the Nelson weather forecast as the alpine conditions in Kahurangi National Park are likely to be drastically different. The Wangapeka Track cannot be crossed safely if running high. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you as there are no water sources on the way up.
See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.
Gibbs Route
Walking
Kiwi Saddle Hut
Walking
Updated 6 January 2025