Bikepack Otamatapaio hut, lake Benmore, Otago.

 Otamatapaio hut

lake Benmore, Otago

This is a nice wee hut in the Hawkdun Range near Omarama.  you get to the start from backyards road which comes off the Omarama Otematata Road (State highway 83).  The cycle is a little hard in places but good gear test for some harder rides.

The start

At the start there is a 5km 4wd section you can drive, all you really need is ground clearance since there is no rivers or steep sections on the 4wd part.  Although in wet weather it might be a different story.  from the end of the 4wd track its 10km to the hut.

There is a car park at the end of the 4wd track.

The Easement

the 4wd track is worth cycling as there are some nice spots to stop and enjoy the view.

From the end of the 4wd section it gets a little rocky, nothing to stop you cycling it but would be a bit average on a gravel bike without suspension.  After the rocky bit its a farm track with some interesting huts on the way.

Once the farm track runs out at the end of the easement it gets rugged.  There are a couple little rivers to cross but the river bed cycling is hard due to the rocks and lack of track.  I carried my bike over these parts but you can push it or even cycle if your skilled enough.  this section is only a few km but seems longer due to the slow going.  There is a nice bit before the hut which is fun to cycle.

Once at the hut (940meters) the track ends but you can explore further on foot.

The Hut is modern with a log burner but not much in the way of wood near by.  There is plenty of camping area near the hut for those wishing to stay in a tent.

The ride back is the same way as you came in.

Its only 15km but takes a little while due to the river sections.  I cycled all of it (in and out) in about 4 hours with out the hindrance of panniers.  Most of it was going to the hut as its up hill gradually all the way.

I would not suggest a gravel bike or trailer for this route but if you were game enough you could use them.  Panniers or bike packing bags would be the best.

There are a lot of thorns on the track as well so glue in the inner tubes or tubeless would be suggested.  I didn’t and had 2 punctures.

All in all a nice back country hut cycle with exploring opportunities from the hut.  I came across deer and pigs on the track.

The DOC page for this hut is

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/oteake-conservation-park/things-to-do/huts/otamatapaio-hut/

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Bikepack Old women Hut

Bikepacking NZ

Old Women Hut, Banockburn, Otago

The old women hut is in the Old women Ranges which are next to the Old man ranges.

Map of the ranges off the Nevis Road

The hut is about 1500 meters above sea level and is just off the Nevis Road. The Nevis Road is one of New Zealand highest public roads.

Old Women Hut Front door

For a short 6km ride with 300meters elevation park at the Watts Rock and cycle from there. Its a 4wd track all the way and offers great views of the Otago hills.

Sign to Hut from Nevis Road

On the short ride there are no river crossings or bike lifting so you could take a trailer and electric bike if you wish.

Track after the Nevis Road

The hut is very comfy and you might need it as the weather can get a little wild on these ranges. It does get muddy when it rains. If you have a 4WD and driver you can take it as a support food carrying vehicle.

Inside the Hut

From the hut there some great old 4wd tracks to explorer. The views from the Hut are pretty good as well.

Hut and views

Or you can do the loop from Bannockburn.

The black track on the above Map is the return day.

To do the loop park at Quarzville RD carpark at the start of the Carricktown track. I would recommend cycling up the Nevis road and down the Carricktown track. From the carpark cycle down to the Bannockburn road and turn right away from Cromwell. 4Km down the road you come to a right fork, this is the Nevis Road. Once on the Nevis road the gravel and hills start. Its a long slog to the saddle but the views making stopping worth it. The turn off for the Nevis Rd is at 400 meters and the saddle is at 1200 meters above sea level so its a 800 meter climb in 10km.

Once at the saddle (by Watts Rock) turn left down a old 4wd track to Duffers saddle. From there its another 300 meters of climbing followed by a flat section to the Hut. Note you do turn right once on the top and its hard to see in bad weather.

To return cycle over Duffers saddle to Watts Rock. From the rock is a track that goes all the way past Carricktown and onto the Quarzville RD carpark. This track is great fun and all ridable, with good breaks. On the way there are some old gold mining relics one of which is a large water wheel, worth the side trip to see.

Young Australian water wheel

   

In conclusion this trip is well worth it with the highlight being the route down through Carricktown due to great views and fun track. The hut is nice to stay at with camping opportunities around it. There is a small river that runs past the hut for water. On a clear night the sky vista is of course amazing.

Here are some other cycles in the area, great area for biking but not all e-Bike friendly.

Image taken from Sluicing track car park sign post.  The car park is on Felton road in Bannockburn.

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Bikepacking huts South Island New Zealand

Bikepacking New Zealand South Island.

Hi.  This is a simple web site to let people know about all the great huts there are in New Zealand to cycle to.  There are lots of trails for bikes like the Heaphy, most have their own web sites.  This site is all about the lesser known huts and campsites.

The Bags
The Bike

Bikepacking huts explored:

Monument hut, lake Ohau, Otago.
Mount Fyffe hut Kaikoura.
Casey hut Arthurs pass (burnt down 2015).
Big River hut Reefton, West Coast.
Montgomery hut Reefton, west Cost.
Mid Taipo hut, Otira, West Coast.
Pool hut St James track, hanmer.
Lake Guyon hut, St James track Hanmer.
Blind Saddle hut kiakora.
Mount Potts hut Lake Clearwater.
Manuka hut Mt Somers.
Boundry Creek hut Lake Heron.
Red hut lake Ohau.
Boundry creek hut otago.
Packhorse hut christchurch.
Warfdale hut Oxford.
Meg hut otago/cromwell.
Beebys hut Nelson lakes.
Caves hut, Barbers hut, Bottom Gordon hut Leatham Valley, Nelson lakes
Creigs hut near Leatham valley, Nelson Lakes
Boulder Forks hut leatham valley
Saxton hut Molesworth road
Fosters hut and Devils Creek hut, Havlock, Wakamarina track
Shamrock hut, Hagens hut and Top Hut, South Canterbury
Buster hut Naseby, Otago
Baikie hut Twizel
Tin hut plus others Takaka, Kill devil track
Gridiron and Flora huts Motueka to Takaka area off Cobb Valley rd
Blackadder Rest Hut, Pell Stream, Lewis pass
Avoca Hut, Arthurs Pass
Spurs Hut, Fairlie, South Canterbury
Top Hut, Omarama, South Canterbury
Upper Oreti Hut, Mavora Lakes, Southland
Careys Hut, Mavora Lakes, Southland

Barbers Hut, Leatham valley, Nelson Lakes

Red Hills Hut, Nelson lakes

Otamatapaio Hut, Lake Benmore, Otago

Old Women Hut, Cromwell, Otago

Mt Greenland Hut, Ross, West Coast

Black Hut, Ross, West Cost

Flora Hut, Mount Arthur area, Tasman

Bikepacking huts yet to be explored:

Macaulay hut, lake Tekapo
Red Stag hut, lake Tekapo
Big Hut, Middlemarch Otago
deep creek hut Cromwell Otago
Cromel Branch Hut Lumsden, Southland
Lincoln Hut, Mossburn, Southland
hut creek hut, Otago
Ida Railway Hut, Otago
Boundry Creek Hut, Otago
reischek hut, Rakia
Lawrance Hut, Rakia (Erewon Station)
Curtis Memorial Hut, Mesopotamia
Growler Hut, Mesopotamia
Mt Bee Bunk Rooms, Mossburn, Southland

Jim’s flat hut, Ahaura, west coast


If you know of any more put them in a comment and I will add to the list.