hump ridge track

As others have said, this is an incredibly beautiful walk, stunning views and lovely bird and plantlife, but it was tough for me personally - 53 year old woman, semi-fit, occasionally dodgy knees - so slower than usual walker. Carrying a full size backpack and the steep ascents and descents made for lengthier days than I anticipated...just not used to walking this type of terrain. Ranging from 20 - 22ks per day with a vast array of terrain, incredible beaches, beautiful forests, along the ridge itself, a little rock climbing, the obligatory swing bridges; mostly beautiful but at some points a wee bit scary.I found myself constantly de-fogging my glasses and watching where I put my feet on 'natures staircases (tree roots and rocks)'. Only fell over once, on a flat bit of boardwalk - just slipped...a momentary lapse of concentration. Thanks to Michelle and Pete who patiently took my calls as I warned them of my slow pace and later than expected arrivals at the huts, to Maramar at Owaka and Sue at Port Craig for making sure I was ok, to Don who picked me up at the end and told me that he was one of the crew who installed those kilometres of amazing boardwalks and steps and to my fellow trampers who cheered me as I eventually arrived. The huts were great, enjoyed being able to have a glass of wine with dinner. The Hump Ridge is a beautiful track and a very special experience, but for those who aren't quite fit, I'd recommend a little more physical training, get yourself used to carrying a backpack up and down hills and get in a lot of stairmaster at the gym to get those legs prepared before you set off on this one.

This is great walk. The first day is magnificent starting through the forest and then ascending steeply with great views once you clear the trees. The Okaka Lodge has magnificent views and a circular track above it which is a must for sunset viewing. The Lodge is very comfortable but the separate toilet block was tricky in a rain deluge! The second day involved the ridge descent with great views to both sides and then a less interesting walk along the tram track (a fairly level track created to get the timber out) and over a couple of viaducts. The third day we opted to exit via a jet boat up the Wairaurahiri river to Lake Hauroko which was stunning and much recommended although it had to be preceded by four brisk hours walking back along the tram track. Altogether very much recommended.

The walk was very beautiful and well worth the effort. At first I was apprehensive about the lenght of the days walking, but the boardwalks really assisted. They helped me get there, protected the fragile environment and enabled me to look about and enjoy the scenery rather than constantly watching where I was going to put my feet. The lodges are very comfortable and the extra we paid for a bed and linen was good value. I also really enjoyed the fact that I could have a wine at the end of the day.

The lodges were fantastic, liked them better than the great walk huts. Track was also fantastic, but very challenging. If there was a way to start and finish at Stoney Creek, then that would help shorten the fist and last days. The views at the top were amazing.

What an amazing walk. The views from the top and walking down the ridge are fantastic. We had good weather and a great crew on the track. Huts were really comfortable, boardwalk great, beds awesome and being able to purchase food and drinks at reasonable prices a big plus. We came back by jet boat up the rapids which was the icing on the cake. Thanks Humpridge, a very memorable experience! Linda

Highly recommend the Humpridge track truly amazing scenery.All the staff we came across where so helpful friendly and proud of what they do ,we couldn't fault them. The food was awesome ,you won't starve,!!! Such a great experience thank you the Humpridge TeamChris and debbie

Wow, what an amazingly beautiful walk. The first day was definitely hard work on the uphill part but the views from the top were beautiful and the tor and tarns walk near the first lodge definitely worth the extra effort. Personally I loved day 2 which was more up and down with beautiful views. The end of that day was a long slog along the old tracks but the Port Craig lodge was awesome and we got to swim with Hector's dolphins in the bay below the lodge. AMAZING. Walking along the beaches on the final day was beautiful too. Great to have such a varied walk and good work from the trust to protect and promote this area.

We live relatively close to the track and it has been on the list to do since it opened. I don't know why we waiting so long to walk it. What an amazing experience, 360 degree views to die for, swimming with the dolphins, deer on the front lawn in the morning, fantastic staff at the huts. The tramp was tough but what a reward having a cold beer "on top of the world" (pity it wasn't a NZ Steinlager). We will be booking to do the track again next year. Well done to the people of Tuatapere who look after the track/huts.

We're a couple in our late 60s, reasonably fit and experienced hikers, but slower on the trail than we used to be. Can't imagine doing the "stump the hump" in 24 hours! The first day was a long one, and we found the grunt challenging mostly because it was after several hours of walking. Overall, the trail is not especially difficult, but at 21 km in day one and similar in day two, the length was pushing the upper edge of our comfort zone. We were very lucky and had great weather, gorgeous views from Mt. Okaka and the whole ridgeline on the second day. We appreciated the option of a private room at reasonable cost and the opportunity to buy beer/wine/selected food items also at reasonable prices. One quibble, the detour around the closed Percy Burn viaduct is not marked, and the hut manager the night before didn't mention this in her briefing. Lodges are lovely, and staff great.

This track is a credit to the Tuatapere community that developed and maintains it. The bush (which one is in a lot) was particularly beautiful and full of interest - I've never enjoyed a bush walk so much - the tor-and-tarn country on top was remarkable, the views from the tops were spectacular, and the white-sand beaches and coastal views were lovely. The huts were unusually comfortable and clean, and the hut staff were warm, welcoming, and hard-working. The track is well marked, and is generally very well developed, especially on Days 1 and 3. The porridge that comes with the price of walking the track is excellent. The office staff who took the bookings were helpful and well organised.The days on the track are long - it's not an easy walk: harder than, say, the Routeburn or the Milford - and you do need to be prepared with training and good equipment. But I do recommend the Hump Ridge even if, like the members of our party, you're not super-fit. Paying for the helicopter lift of our packs to Okaka Lodge was a very good decision: Day 1 is a 9-hour walk and a 1000m climb. I'd like to return and spend two nights at Okaka Lodge and then walk back the way I came (if that option is permitted) so that I could have more time enjoying that gorgeous spot. Highly recommended. Thank you, Tuatapere and the track staff.

The Humpridge is a fantastic track - mostly uphill on day one (not too bad - and it's good for you!), mostly downhill on day two and flat walking for day 3 - but with a tonne of variety of scenery that seems to change every half hour or so and the best DOC lodges and food. We took the guided option with friends from US and France and hence didn't have to worry about food at all as everything was supplied and cooked for us. Freshly smoked salmon on day 2 evening was a highlight as were the wines, egg and bacon breakfasts and lunches, too. (I could go on. Food tastes better in NZ). This was our "annual,sort of romantic, get away from the kids for a few days trip" and there was no better way to spend it than walking through gorgeous NZ where no snake, lizard or spider can kill you and one can drink water straight from the stream. We took a helicopter in to start the hike - short but very fun - and then the jet boat option out at end of day 3 which was a highlight. This is NZ before tourists and people even existed - splendid isolation and views across the Fiordland - and no crowds or other hikers really. We maybe saw 2-3 other hikers each day only - an Austrian woman, a Czech guy walking for 2 months and 2 Aussies. Don't overlook this deep south trek....swim with dolphins (really), soak in the great views, get a bit muddy (which was fun by the way) and sleep like logs. And the top loop at Okaka Lodge is just magical - fairy ponds, massive rocks, endless views.

I did "The Hump" during this years edition of the Stump the Hump - it is a fantastic track, built and maintained by the great community of Tuatapere. The walk is outstanding, the lodges in excellent condition and the surrounding nature just breathtaking. If you are looking for a perfect balance of undisturbed alpine nature, forests, beaches, industry culture and history and sustainable community engagement- this is a clear must-do in NZ!

Hi OllieThanks for your time to review the Track. This is not company policy in regards to the drying rooms and we are happy this has been brought to our attention as this has never been a message we have conveyed to the staff. In fact it is the contrary. The drying room is an additional point of difference with our lodges and the DOC Huts and we take walker/hiker comfort very seriously and personally I hate putting on wet boots even if they will be wet after 5 minutes the next day. Sorry we let you down but once again thanks for bringing this to our attention and this has been sorted.regardsPete

I'll divide this review in positive and negative:Positive:- the views are out of this world!- the track is well signposted - friendly staff- the lodges are the perfect thing to come to after a long day of hiking- complimentary porridge in the mornings- amazing boardwalks (17km)- birds and plants everywhere- swimming with hector dolphinsNegative- the Percy Burn Viaduct was closed, so we had to walk around it- some parts of the railway track (end of second day) were very muddy and sometimes there was no way around itThings to remember:- take some good insect repellent with you (the sandflies are waiting for you ;))All in all the humpbridge track was an amazing experience! This is track we recommend to friends already and when we'll come back with friends we'll do it again :)The negative aspects I mentioned were just unexpected (viaduct) and a challenge (the mud). Don't let this stand in the way of giving this track a shot - you won't regret it!

Recently we did a quick 2 day walk on the circuit, combining days 2 and 3 together. We travelled lightly and were of reasonable fitness. We found this achievable and very rewarding. We were treated to outstanding weather and swimming with the dolphins at Port Craig was a highlight. There is fantastic variety in this walk and it exceeded our expectations, to be fair I don't think the name "Hump Ridge" does it justice, it is so much more than this . Highly recommend this walk, it is certainly worth the journey south.