Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range, Canterbury NZ

A nice half day walk up through Mount Hutt Forest on the Scotts Saddle Track to above the treeline and views of the Plains and Foothills.

Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range

A nice half day walk up through Mount Hutt Forest on the Scotts Saddle Track to above the treeline. There are views of the Canterbury Plains and peaks in the Pudding Hill Range to the west, and Mount Hutt Range further north, including South Peak (2081m). The forest is varied and attractive, and may be the highlight for some walkers, although the views are good for relatively little effort. We returned back along the Ridge Track  and Opuke Track for a bit of variation – worth it I think.

The walk is at the easier end of moderate because it will take only a half day, but there are a few steep and rough sections. Track notes at the end. If you were looking for a route up Mt Hutt you could climb through the ski field from here, but I’ve climbed Mt Hutt (north peak) from Terrible Gully over Steepface Hill – see that post here.

Scotts Saddle Track: The Scenery

Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
Nice forest on our way up and down.
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
The roots of trees were making nice patterns.
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
Just after the junction with the Ridge Track.
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
South Peak in the Mount Hutt Range.
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
Sophia looks over towards the Pudding Hill and Mount Hutt Ranges.
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
South Peak to the right, and peaks in the Pudding Hill Range to the left.
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
South Peak (2081m). The Mount Hutt ski field is to the right.
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
Pudding Hill Range
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
Canterbury Plains with the Port Hills just visible in the distance.
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
Sophia just disappearing into the bush bottom centre.
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
A gully with some harakeke (flax).
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
Varied vegetation on our way back to Mount Hutt Forest.
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
This on the Ridge Track, an alternative way back down.

Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range

Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
Back into podocarp forest (I think).
Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
It was very ferny in places.

Track Notes

Scotts Saddle Track, Mount Hutt Range
On a marked track the whole way. There are some steep and occasionally rough sections but mostly straightforward. A half day walk.

The route is on a marked track the whole way. There are some steep and occasionally rough sections but mostly straightforward. We took the Ridge Track and then Opuka Track down for a bit of variety and I think this was worth it. It’ll take about half a day. We also visited a couple of viewpoints on indistinct impact tracks but you get good enough views from the main track.

The walk starts in Awa Awa Reserve, however you could also walk it from the top on the ski field road. There ‘s more info if you need it on the DOC website.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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