11 October 2026
Showers about the Divide, clearing in the evening, otherwise fine.
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1 / 8Hakatere Conservation Park
Double Hut Track
Walk to the well-preserved and quaint Double Hut.
Distance
18.08 km
Walking time
3 hrs each way
Difficulty
Easy
Dogs
Not allowed
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
Alerts and track conditions
No active alerts found. Conditions can still change, so check again before leaving.
Weather outlook
Canterbury High Country forecast
Issued 10 Oct 2026, 9:23 pm
12 October 2026
Fine.
13 October 2026
Partly cloudy with isolated showers.
14 October 2026
Rain, with heavy falls.
15 October 2026
Rain developing, with snow to 600 metres.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
Double Hut Track on the map
See the full route on the map
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
About Double Hut Track
It’s a 9 km walk from the road end car park beside Lake Heron to Double Hut, taking around 3 hours on an easy, well-marked track. The route follows the Swin River Track, skirting the lakeshore on a 4WD road around Lake Hill before opening into a wide tussock valley surrounded by mountains. The gradient is gentle and the walking straightforward, though the exposed tussock offers no shelter from the sun or wind - pack sunscreen or warm layers as conditions demand. Follow the poled route up the valley for about 7 km until reaching the Te Araroa Trail junction, where Double Hut is signposted just 30 minutes away. From here, the track drops to the Swin River North Branch, which is shallow and fast-flowing, but easily forded/rock-hopped in normal conditions. Be prepared to turn back if it is high and not safe to cross. After crossing, the trail climbs gradually to Double Hut - a historic musterer’s hut built in the early 1900s and later extended to a basic six-bunker with a fireplace and rustic table. Its walls are covered with the names of generations of musterers and hikers.
Essential information for Double Hut Track
This walk is very exposed so bring sunscreen and warm, windproof layers. There is a river crossing before the hut. Firewood is scarce in the area - consider taking some with you, or taking warm layers/sleeping items.
Huts and campsites
Double Hut
Getting there for Double Hut Track
Start the track from Lake Heron car park, 1.7 km along the lake shore, off Hakatere Heron Road. Use this location on Google Maps to help find your way there.
Helpful resources
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 . Level up in your outdoor knowledge with these interactive 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 .
Dog access for Double Hut Track
No dogs allowed.
Before you walk Double Hut Track
Track information, access and weather can change. Confirm current alerts and land-manager information close to departure, tell someone your plans, and carry equipment appropriate for the route and conditions.