Day Hike to Baikie Hut

A Half-Day Hike to Baikie Hut

It was a quick one — just under four hours return and roughly 20 kilometres all up — but the half-day hike to Baikie Hut in the Ruataniwha Conservation Park, near Lake Pukaki, packs in plenty of variety.

We parked about 3.5 km down Mount Cook Road, where the 4WD track begins. A high-clearance vehicle could make it a bit further to the second car park, but we opted to go on foot. The track is well marked with poles and follows the 4WD route the entire way, making for easy navigation.

This is a multi-use track, shared by hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders, and it gently winds through open tussock country towards the head of the valley.

At Gladstone Stream, the track joins the Dusky Trail that continues all the way to Twizel, we could see Gladstone Stream Hut on the far side, we would head over there on our return so we turned back up the valley toward Baikie Hut.

Crossing through a fence at the boundary of the Ruataniwha Conservation Park, the landscape shifted — wilding pines have taken hold here, ranging from tiny seedlings to trees several metres tall, a reminder of how invasive they’ve become across the Mackenzie Basin.

Baikie Hut itself sits tucked into a small bank above the stream — simple, classic backcountry charm. It’s a four-bunk hut with a log burner, long drop, and water from the nearby stream. The perfect spot for a lunch break or an overnight stay if you’ve got more time to linger.

After morning tea, we retraced our steps back down the valley and made it back to the junction with the Dusky Trail. We make the side trip to Gladstone Stream Hut, which meant leaving the main route and wading across Gladstone Stream — cold, knee-deep, and guaranteed wet feet!

A straightforward, scenic trip — open skies, mountain views, and a good dose of Mackenzie backcountry character.

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