Blyth Hut
2.4 mi
Distance
1 hrs 5 min
Time
terrain
728 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate one way trail to Blyth Hut in Tongariro National Park.
This trail goes by Rotokawa pools, Waitonga Falls, Lupton Hut, and Blyth Hut.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Went with friends on NZ’s 2023 election day. Nothing special about this except that we hardly see any souls during to hike to the hut. Clearly a good day to trek as sun was up and shining through the day. Wind was up too adding to the freezing and blowing conditions. At one stage walking on the wooden platforms we felt very unstable without the aid of walking sticks, albeit like driving a tall truck atop the Takapuna bridge swaying in high wind.
We first reached the Lipton Hut, a privately owned but well maintained small dwelling equipped with fireplace and 16 beds. This was about an hour into the trek. Suppose this be a good place to rest or shelter in event of blizzard. Blyth is another 40 to an hour hike, this time through rocky surfaces, streams and steep scoria to reach a flight of stairs (one of very few) before an open space to the hut.
The hut itself is pretty basic (better the Lupton), clean and has the view to the plains which was breathtaking on a good sunny day. Imagine what this be like in winter time when the place is covered with snow.
We stayed the night, some of us observed the election count as it was taking place during the night. We lit the fireplace, cooked hearty dinner and succumbed to the night from the day’s hike.
Same route out the next day which started out raining and wet. All in all a perfect hike, amazing volcanic structure carved out of glacier movements thousand of years ago.
Will be visiting this place again perhaps in winter time.
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