West Matukituki Track

We were fortunate to be staying in a private lodge named TITITEA which is outside the Mt ASpiring NP and they operated a minibus shuttle a few kms to Raspberry flats parking area. From here it’s about 2km to where the Rob Roy swing bridge crosses the river and you can take either the trail 4km up hill to Rob Roy or carry straight on 9km more to Aspiring DOC hut, so a 22km round trip walk. The track follows the west branch valley floor and river. It’s pretty easy going along the river valley and very scenic inside the park with snow capped mountains, towering craggy rock formations, glimpses of glaciers and waterfalls. The river valley is beautiful; wide with grassy paddocks and cattle, and there are lots of muddy patches and small streams to cross along the way. Its highly probable you’ll get wet feet! We had lunch at the Aspiring DOC hut, admiring the views of (cloud covered) Mt Aspiring and other Mountains. Toilets and water are available. Some walked further beyond the hut for about 45 minutes to Shovels Flat. The more adventuresome can climb up the Cullers Route for views but a reasonable degree of fitness is needed. All up it took about 6hrs to do the 22km return day tramp #summervacation#beachvacation#hikingtrails#hotelstay#urbanexplorer