Pinchgut Hut, Canterbury, New Zealand

PINCHGUT HUT

North Canterbury

Location:
North Canterbury 
Drive to the end of Taaffes Glen Road and follow this until you reach Round Hill Stream where there is a small parking area. You go through a farm, I was a little hesitant, but realised I was on the right track. There’s a ford in there and the parking area is on the right just before you go down another steep ford.

Time:
4.5 hours return.
Approx 2h each way with dog, photos, a little detour to the waterfall and a break for a beer at the hut.

Difficulty.
Easy

Dogs:
Under effective control

I tend to stick to mountains, rather than valleys but was really pleasantly surprised with this one.

There is a pretty decent sized river crossing at the very start, I managed to rock hop across but I imagine in the spring or when the river level is higher it may be a bit trickier. It was a hot day so I walked back through to cool off at the end.

It’s undulating most the way, with a pretty short sharp climb just after halfway. The hut looks nice, and there is plenty more hiking to be had once you get there, but that’s for a different time.

Enjoy the usual mix of iPhone images (whilst walking) and proper camera snaps from the important parts..

Another waterfall, another long exposure.

Handsome dog, fresh from a swim. Below: a selection of shots from the track.

Here’s the hut, what a pleasant place to stop for a minute (despite the sandflies). The hut costs to sleep in, and there’s plenty of room to pitch a tent.

The Okuku river was really calm when the wind wasn’t blowing. Charlie is always looking for an opportunity to swim. He never wants to stop.

Charlie takes a minite to relax in a sunny spot while the adults enjoy and adult refreshment.

The view of the valley on the way out.