Baikie Hut Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Baikie Hut makes a great picnic or overnight venue.

This DOC directory entry covers Baikie Hut Track in Canterbury, within Lake Pukaki area / Ruataniwha Conservation Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: 3 hr one way
• DOC grade: Advanced

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

• Wallaby control operation for Ruataniwha Conservation Park; First published on 11 June 2026. Last reviewed on 24 September 2026.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Walk along a 4WD track which runs parallel to Twizel River. Baikie Hut, resting on grassy flats beside the river, makes a great picnic or overnight venue.

A worthwhile tramping trip is to continue hiking up the tarns in Duncan Valley.

Mountain biking

It's a short mountain bike ride into Baikie Hut, then a fun coast downhill back out again. This is a good trip for families.

This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.

Four wheel driving

4WD the public access easement into Baikie Hut if track conditions are favourable. Ring the landholder, Pukaki Downs Station, for permission: +64 21 255 2045. You'll be required to pay a fee and key bond.

Horse riding

The track into Baikie Hut is suitable for horses. There is also a hitching post outside Baikie Hut and a fenced paddock nearby. Landholder permission is not required.

Getting there

A car park for this track is signposted off SH80, about 3.5 km from the junction with SH8 near Pukaki.

Know before you go

Private property and permissions

This track crosses private land. There is no camping until the conservation area boundary.

Respect the landowner's livestock and property:

• Stay on the marked track until you reach the conservation land

• Leave gates as you find them

• Use stiles where provided

• Keep your distance from livestock.

Dogs

You need permission from the Makarora River Ranch to take your dog into Hāwea Conservation Park using Boundary Creek Track. Email makaroraranch@gmail.com at least 24 hours in advance of your visit to request permission. You must provide a valid worming certificate to ensure your dog is free from hydatids and sheep measles.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.