On a high from the rugged beauty and raw challenge from bike packing the St. James Trail, we searched for another hut to explore on our journey to the North Island. We landed on the Kirwans Hut just outside of Reefton. The recent rain in the region made the climb a tough and boggy march. It was well worth it for the next day’s decent: Over two hours of loam surfing through mud and jungle.  

Trail Type:

Singletrack with some unridable sections in either direction 

Trip Plan:

We left mid-day and arrived just in time for dinner. Kirwans Hut was easily the nicest hut I’ve ever encountered. We're talking a mudroom, kitchen and double pain windows. In the morning, we had a leisurely breakfast waiting for the clouds in the valley to break, then returned via the same trail. 

Elevation Gained:

1380 meters 

Kilometers Traveled:

About 28

Weather:

Out: Humidity was high but we didn’t experience any rain. 

Return: was hot and sunny. 

Company: 

It was great, as always. We only had to share the hut with two other people.

Bike: 

Yeti Sb5c and Giant Reign