The Hump Ridge Track (53km, 3 days) is the country’s best privately run hiking track. It starts and finishes at Blue Cliffs Beach, a 20-minute drive from Tuatapere, and follows the Hump Ridge, returning along the coast. It is an excellent walk that features some very impressive bridges including the Percy Burns Viaduct (the world’s largest wooden viaduct).
The huts are of a very high standard. In summer it costs $175 for hut accommodation and transfers to and from the trailhead.
It is similar to the Kepler Track and is moderately difficult with some challenging sections and steep climbs on the first day. It involves a lot of walking – around 18km each day.
Refer to the track’s website for further information.
Bluecliffs Beach to Okaka Hut (18km, 7–9 hours)
The track follows the coast for a few kilometres before cutting inland to Flat Creek. Then it’s a steep climb to Okaka Hut on Hump Ridge.
Okaka Hut to Port Craig Village (18km, 7–9 hours)
This section of the track passes several of the towering wooden viaducts, for which the Hump Ridge Track is famous, including the Edwin and Percy Burn Viaducts.
Port Craig Village to Bluecliffs Beach (17km, 5–7 hours)
The walk back to Bluecliffs Beach passes through rimu forest, but for the most part is a coastal walk past rock pools and sandy beaches.