Kaituna Valley Packhorse Hut Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

The walk to Packhorse Hut can be enjoyed as a half day walk but is also a great overnight tramp for families with children and new trampers.

This DOC directory entry covers Kaituna Valley Packhorse Hut Track in Canterbury, within Banks Peninsula area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 4 km one way
• Walking time: 1 hr 20 min
• DOC grade: Intermediate

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.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

This track is part of the Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway.

This well signposted track passes through a farm, following vehicle tracks up a native bush-filled valley. The track goes through pasture and then forest, crossing the valley stream several times. In the summer you can use stepping stones to cross, but be prepared to get wet feet if the stream is up after rain.

The track eventually climbs steeply onto a big spur. From here you can see over Kaitorete Spit and Lake Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. You can also see along the coast towards Ashburton. The track then follows the open spur before reaching a farm track through the Parkinsons Bush Reserve. This reserve is a small but important stand of native forest.

The track then leads to the saddle and the historic stone Packhorse Hut, well situated for the views. Packhorse Hut makes a great place for a sheltered lunch stop if completing this walk in a day or a night stay for families or those travelling the Te Ara Pātaka track.

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is not allowed on this section of Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway.

Fees and bookings

Bookings

Bookings are required to stay at the Packhorse Hut.

Book Packhorse hut online

Getting there

From Christchurch, take SH75 to Kaituna Valley Road. Turn left into Parkinsons Road after 6 km. Park near the road end where the track starts. This offers much more secure parking than Gebbies Pass.

Know before you go

Weather

Kaituna Valley can get very wet and windy in southerly weather.

The valley gets hot in summer. Bring lots of water and sun protection.

Farm animals

This track goes through an active farm. There may be sheep and cattle in the area of the track and hut. Do not touch the animals including lambs and calves, and give all animals plenty of space.

Stream crossings

The stream is normally shallow but can flood in heavy rain. The stream crossings do not have bridges and may be unsafe to cross in severe weather.

Wasps

You may encounter wasps in the autumn and summer months (September to March). Take care and carry antihistamines / epi pen if allergic to wasps.

Take care near stinging nettle

Urtica ferox (ongaonga) is an endemic stinging nettle and common in this area. Take care not to touch these plants as they have a very strong sting. Ongaonga are an important host plant of Vanessa gonerilla (kahukura), the endemic red admiral butterfly.

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.