The Little Red Hut Perched on the Mountainside…
05/11/18 ~ 06/11/18
Liverpool Hut
For some people, this is considered one of the best huts in New Zealand due to its location in such a beautiful valley. It’s definitely a great little hut and walk!
Location
Liverpool Hut is a popular overnight hike in the Wanaka region. It’s located on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park in the Matukituki Valley. It’s situated almost 1100m in altitude below Mt Barff.
Difficulty
The Liverpool Hut hike is a mix of both easy, and strenuous hiking. It’s quite accessible to most hikers who are reasonably fit in Summer and Autumn. However, the 600m climb to the hut is extremely steep and can be quite challenging at times. In winter or early Spring, this hike would be only for very skilled climbers.
Getting There
The road to the hut is a small road that leads west of Wanaka. After several kilometres, it becomes a well maintained gravel road, suitable for all vehicles. However, the final half includes 9 skinny fords (stream crossings). The depth of the water is not an issue when it hasn’t been raining, but cars with a longer wheel base (larger vans) might struggle with bottoming-out as the fords are often a foot deep and short. The carpark at Raspberry Flats is located after the 9th crossing, and marks the end of the road.
Map
The Hike
Day 1
I caught back up again with Steph, who I hiked with on the Gillespie Pass Circuit and Heather Jock Hut hikes. We had both hiked the easy day hike to Rob Roy Glacier, but wanted to go further into the Matukituki Valley to either Liverpool or French Ridge Huts. Liverpool Hut seemed to have better views, so we chose there. We packed, set off from Queenstown, and began the hike around 1pm.
It was calving and lambing season, and the valley was filled with new life everywhere – totally cute watching the newborns play with each other and follow their mum around! Just like last time in the valley, it was gorgeous – the only difference being that there was a bit less snow on the peaks.
The valley hike is mostly a gentle increase in elevation and easy hiking through grass flats and the occasional forested section toward the end.
Aspiring Hut
Around halfway through the valley, you reach Aspiring Hut. We stopped for some water and a snack, but continued on. This is also the point where you’d head up towards Cascade Saddle for another hike.
There are many bridges to cross as the valley becomes narrower towards the end of the valley. There’s never a bad view on the entire hike!
The views towards the oddly named Christopher Johnston Glacier were awesome. The waterfalls below were lively and created an epic view altogether. You could see the snow and ice from the glacier deposited at the base of the two waterfalls.
The ‘Uphill’ Part
After several bridge crossings, it’s time to head up the notorious steep mountainside (Mt Barff). It was definitely one of the steepest climbs i had done. Although, the forest makes it easier with all the root holds. I didn’t find it too technical or hard really, but it takes it out of you energy-wise.
The entire climb is forested aside from a small section on top where you need to go over and around a small stream valley to reach the hut on the other side. Here offers amazing views of all the surrounding mountains, including Liverpool Hut itself.
Liverpool Hut
Upon arriving to the hut in the late afternoon, we met 5 other hikers already there. With a further 4 hikers arriving within the following hour. Liverpool Hut is only a 10 bunk hut, and there were 11 people. I ended up offering my sleeping pad to the last arrival (lucky I had brought it!).
Around 8:30pm at night, a few of us ventured up to the higher ridge to watch the sunset. It was pretty nice!
Day 2
Sleep was a little hard to come by with so many people in the hut – something I’m not overly used to, but i got enough in the end. I had to wake up the guy sleeping on my mat to get it back so I could leave. I probably should have slept on it, but eh, the larger hut mats are a bit more comfy really.
Heading downhill the next morning was actually harder initially with some of the rock faces early on, but didn’t pose too much of a challenge.
Having to walk out the valley the same way is a little annoying, but we ended up hiking with another girl from the hut and the three of us had some decent conversation before arriving back at the carpark. Next time I come to this valley, I’m bringing my packraft to paddle out!
To end the hike, fish and chips was on the cards in Wanaka!
Overview
Pros:
- Beautiful views from the hut
- Beautiful views from the valley
- Views of Rob Roy and other glaciers
- Gateway to many other awesome hikes – repeated visits can be made
- Matukituki River is gorgeous
- Easy enough to access from Wanaka
Cons:
- Walk in, walk out the same way
- A little bit monotonous in the first few kilometres from the carpark – flat agricultural hiking
- Popular overnight hike once the snow is gone – can be busy in the hut if full, and not many ideal tent site options there (it’s advised against too by DoC)
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