NELSON TRAILS

Mt Brown Hut

Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve

Mt Brown Hut is located near the summit of Mt Brown (1270 m), at the western end of Newton Range, immediately above Lake Kaniere. The hut can visited as a day walk or as overnight tramp.

Details
Length 4.8 km one way to Mt Brown Hut; 2.8 km return from hut to summit
Time Required 2-4 hr one way to hut; 1 hr 30 min return from hut to summit
Trail Type Tramping track
Physical Difficulty Hard   
Uses Walking
Start Elevation 150 m
Max Elevation 1125 m (Mt Brown Hut) or 1270 m (Mt Brown summit)


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Connections

Mt Brown Track does connect to any other official tracks.

Access

  30 min from Hokitika

 

Mt Brown Track starts next to Geologist Creek, and the southern end of Lake Kaniere. From Hokitika, follow Lake Kaniere Road all the way to Lake Kaniere. Once at the settlement on the eastern side of the lake, follow Dorothy Falls Road (unsealed) along the eastern lake edge to Geologist Creek. The route start is not signposted (at the time of writing), though there is an obvious parking area immediately south of the bridge across Geologist Creek.

Description

Note that Mt Brown Route is not maintained by DOC, but it receives some maintenance from Permolat Trust.

 

The route begins at a gentle gradient, climbing across a forested creek fan through lush native forest at the base of the range. The route crosses an unnamed creek (the last water source until the hut) then follows a narrow spur on the true left side for a while. After 1.5 km, the gradient steepens, as the track heads more-or-less straight up the side of the range, climbing steeply through native forest featuring southern rata and kamahi. Tree trunks and roots provide useful hand and foot holds as you will gain about 450 m vertically in roughly the same distance horizontally. As you gain elevation the bush transitions to sub-alpine scrub, with mountain cedar and dracophyllum. Through here there are several sections that can be quite boggy after rain. You will reach the tree line after 4.3 km, at 1050 m elevation. This is the first real opportunity for views. The route, now marked by poles, continues upwards through tussock to the hut.

 

Mt Brown Hut is a four bunk basic hut. It enjoys great views of the Southern Alps and the Kokatahi Plain. Lake Kaniere can be seen just over the brow of the ridge. Note the hut is becoming an increasingly popular destination, and the number of overnight guests often exceeds the hut’s limited four-bunk capacity. Prepare for this situation by bringing a tent (suitable for alpine conditions).

 

Mt Brown Hut
Hut Type Basic Hut
Capacity 4
Bookings Not required; first in, first served
Fee No fee, but donations are appreciated
Altitude 1125 m

 

The structure that constitutes Mt Brown Hut actually spent its first 48 years in the Lower Arahura Valley, approx. 8.5 km to the east. Then named Lower Arahura Hut, the hut was in poor state and was due to be replaced with a modern hut in 2010. Instead of being completely discarded, the old structure was shifted to its present location to become Mt Brown Hut. It was then properly restored through the volunteer effort of the Mt Brown Community Project Team and is now managed by the Kokatahi Tramping Club.

 

The summit of Mt Brown (spot height 1270 m on the topo map) is 1.4 km beyond the hut. There is no official track, though a well-worn path along the sharp ridge leads the way there (though this will be hidden when there is snow on the ground). This route climbs up and over several steep-sided knobs, and the knee-high tussock often hides the underlying ground surface, so be careful with your foot placement. Once at the summit, head back the same way to return to the hut.

 

The topo map shows an alternative route between Mt Brown Hut and Styx River Valley, though this reportedly in a poor state and likely impassable due to slips.

Safety

Mt Brown is an alpine environment, so proper preparation and care should be made to ensure a safe trip. The track reaches a high elevation and is exposed above the tree line, so proper outdoor clothing is essential. You must always be prepared for freezing conditions and take extreme care if snow and ice and are present. Do not rely on the Hokitika weather forecast as the alpine conditions towards the Main Divide are likely to be drastically different. 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.

Short Walks

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Day Walks

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Tramping

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Biking

Mt Brown Hut
Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve

Mt Brown Hut is located near the summit of Mt Brown (1270 m), at the western end of Newton Range, immediately above Lake Kaniere. The hut can visited as a day walk or as overnight tramp.

Details
Length 4.8 km one way to Mt Brown Hut; 2.8 km return from hut to summit
Time Required 2-4 hr one way to hut; 1 hr 30 min return from hut to summit
Trail Type Tramping track
Physical Difficulty Hard   
Uses Walking
Start Elevation 150 m
Max Elevation 1125 m (Mt Brown Hut) or 1270 m (Mt Brown summit)


If any layers fail to load, try clearing your cache and refreshing the page.

 

Access

  30 min from Hokitika

 

Mt Brown Track starts next to Geologist Creek, and the southern end of Lake Kaniere. From Hokitika, follow Lake Kaniere Road all the way to Lake Kaniere. Once at the settlement on the eastern side of the lake, follow Dorothy Falls Road (unsealed) along the eastern lake edge to Geologist Creek. The route start is not signposted (at the time of writing), though there is an obvious parking area immediately south of the bridge across Geologist Creek.

Description

Note that Mt Brown Route is not maintained by DOC, but it receives some maintenance from Permolat Trust.

 

The route begins at a gentle gradient, climbing across a forested creek fan through lush native forest at the base of the range. The route crosses an unnamed creek (the last water source until the hut) then follows a narrow spur on the true left side for a while. After 1.5 km, the gradient steepens, as the track heads more-or-less straight up the side of the range, climbing steeply through native forest featuring southern rata and kamahi. Tree trunks and roots provide useful hand and foot holds as you will gain about 450 m vertically in roughly the same distance horizontally. As you gain elevation the bush transitions to sub-alpine scrub, with mountain cedar and dracophyllum. Through here there are several sections that can be quite boggy after rain. You will reach the tree line after 4.3 km, at 1050 m elevation. This is the first real opportunity for views. The route, now marked by poles, continues upwards through tussock to the hut.

 

Mt Brown Hut is a four bunk basic hut. It enjoys great views of the Southern Alps and the Kokatahi Plain. Lake Kaniere can be seen just over the brow of the ridge. Note the hut is becoming an increasingly popular destination, and the number of overnight guests often exceeds the hut’s limited four-bunk capacity. Prepare for this situation by bringing a tent (suitable for alpine conditions).

 

Mt Brown Hut
Hut Type Basic Hut
Capacity 4 bunks
Bookings Not required; first in, first served
Fee No fee, but donations are appreciated
Altitude 1125 m

 

The structure that constitutes Mt Brown Hut actually spent its first 48 years in the Lower Arahura Valley, approx. 8.5 km to the east. Then named Lower Arahura Hut, the hut was in poor state and was due to be replaced with a modern hut in 2010. Instead of being completely discarded, the old structure was shifted to its present location to become Mt Brown Hut. It was then properly restored through the volunteer effort of the Mt Brown Community Project Team and is now managed by the Kokatahi Tramping Club.

 

The summit of Mt Brown (spot height 1270 m on the topo map) is 1.4 km beyond the hut. There is no official track, though a well-worn path along the sharp ridge leads the way there (though this will be hidden when there is snow on the ground). This route climbs up and over several steep-sided knobs, and the knee-high tussock often hides the underlying ground surface, so be careful with your foot placement. Once at the summit, head back the same way to return to the hut.

 

The topo map shows an alternative route between Mt Brown Hut and Styx River Valley, though this reportedly in a poor state and likely impassable due to slips.

Safety

Mt Brown is an alpine environment, so proper preparation and care should be made to ensure a safe trip. The track reaches a high elevation and is exposed above the tree line, so proper outdoor clothing is essential. You must always be prepared for freezing conditions and take extreme care if snow and ice and are present. Do not rely on the Hokitika weather forecast as the alpine conditions towards the Main Divide are likely to be drastically different. 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.

Connections

Mt Brown Route does not connect to any other official tracks.

Updated 26 January 2022