Blue Range Hut (Easy Medium)

Come along to an overnight tramp and cleanup to Blue Range Hut, nestled in a stunning beech forest near Masterton in the mountains. With a wood-burning fireplace, a sheltered setting, and a short but rewarding climb, it's a great trip for newer trampers! This overnight tramp is also part of FMC's "Love Our Huts", so we will help with giving Blue Range a spring clean and a little love. This is important as huts like Blue Range are more than huts, they’re storm shelters, places we can share share stories, and connect to the wild. They're also bases for important conservation work, allowing conservation workers to settle down for the night!

This is considered an easy medium overnighter in the Tararuas, as the The "Kiriwhakapapa To Blue Range Hut" track, which starts from Kiriwhakapapa campspite, is only 3.4km and has only ONE river crossing; however, it has a gain of 650 metres over that short distance. It will take around 2 hours to traverse, with a gentle start until it kicks up sharply to a steep incline in some spots. However, reaching the hut will be worth it, seeing its beautiful blue brushstrokes of paint contrast with the surrounding scenery, having a calming and serene quality to it.

Trip Route Map

Picnic Table outside Blue Range Hut

We will meet at the Hunter Carpark in Kelburn Campus at 9:30 am and head off around 10:00 am. It takes around two hours to reach Kiriwhakapapa Campsite in the Wairarapa from Kelburn Campus. The hut contains a maximum of four bunk beds, but we can fit some people on the floor and set up a max of 2 tents at some small clearings. I'll max out the trip at 12 people and three car groups.

Rough trip costs is 10$, which only covers fuel. You will need one blue hut ticket which cost 10$ and are seperate from the total trip costs.

Also, if anyone is keen for a shared dinner let me know!