Black Hill Hut via Wharfedale Track

When leaving View Hill carpark, follow Wharfedale Track with signs to Wharfedale Hut and Townshend Track. The track enters beech forest which provides protection from some of the elements for the entirety of the trail. Heavy rainfall has caused some decent sized slips that are passable but require care when crossing. For the most part it is undulating with no significant climbs however, the track can become very muddy in places so plan for this when choosing your footwear. From the hut/track junction you will need to walk on the Townshend Track for approximately 1.5km along the true right of the river until you see a track offshoot veer to the left which will lead you to cross the river at the Dobson and Townshend confluence. You will first cross the Dobson Stream which will take you to the true left of the Townshend River which you will cross so you are on the true right. (Note: True left and true right refer to the side of the valley or river when facing and looking downstream. Next, look for the DOC track markers that indicate the start of the Black Hill Track which takes you into the forest for a short while before the DOC sign directs you to the hut. It is approximately 5km from here to the Black Hill Hut and has some very steep, rocky, and exposed sections. It eventually leads into the forest where it climbs steeply and continuously up to the Black Hill Hut. Either take Foster’s Ridge Track back to Wharfedale Track or return the way you came.

There are three huts along the way. Black Hill Hut is a Standard 6-bunk hut with mattresses, fire, and rainwater collection tank and longdrop toilet Wharfedale Hut is a Standard 8-bunk hut with wood burner, water from stream, woodshed, toilets Lower Salmon Creek Bivvy is a 2-person bivvy which is situated on Salmon Creek, 3.6km from Black Hill Hut.

View Hill carpark is signposted from Woodstock Road at the intersection for Ingrams Road. From here a 4WD is recommended. You will cross two fords, one sealed and one unsealed and these can become impassable when there has been rain. You will also go through multiple gates on your way to the car park, which will all need to be opened and shut behind you. Use this location in google maps to find your way there. For those using Townshend Track from Lees Valley, after leaving Oxford, follow Ashley Gorge Road for approximately 6km. Turn left into Lees Valley Road and follow this for around 20km until you see the DOC sign. 4WD recommended. Use this location in google maps to find your way there.

We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel .

Dogs on a leash only.