NEVC to Holly Hut@toptracks.info

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North Egmont Visitor Centre to Holly Hut
DoC recommended times: 3 hours to Holly 3 hours 30 minutes from Holly to NEVC From whichever end you begin this walk, you have about an hours climb before the track flattens out and heads around the mountain. This means you climb through and above mountain forest to exposed terrain offering a vastly differing range of flora. Track Description Begin above the Visitor Centre on the steep stepped track that climbs straight up between the Translator Road on the left and the Camp House to the right. You will pass the Ambury memorial on the right in the first couple of minutes.
A couple of lookouts further on are worth stopping for on your left if you spot them, and then the Veronica track parts to the right before a picnic and viewing area offers a break at a sharp left hand bend. Shortly above here you cross an exposed ridge and continue to the right not straight up the Razor Back.
After around 45-60 minutes of walking from the Visitor Centre you will pass Jacobs ladder on the left and then beneath Humphries Castle. The view up to the summit from here on a clear day is fantastic, as is the view up the coast. You might also be able to see the track snaking around the side of the mountain way ahead of you. You will now be on the Round the Mountain track, which is mostly a well worn path. But BEWARE, there are several avalanche sites to cross, a washout or two, and at these places you will be clambering over precariously placed large boulders or edging over steep faces with no track to help you or barrier to protect you. At the most dangerous of these sites you are advised to cross one at a time.

This part of the track is above the snow line in places so temperatures can be very low, and the wind chill severe. Under the Dieffenbach cliffs are many tui that you will hear if you don’t see, their songs reverberating off the cliffs in a magnificent chorus. The Kokowai track turns off to the right, signalling about an hour to go to Holly, and mostly downhill from here with many steps. As you drop into the Ahukawakawa/Pouakai swamp turn left to Holly Hut, only one minute away, or right to continue on the Northern Circuit to Pouakai Hut.

From Holly Hut, Bells Falls on the other side of the Dome are worth a look, another 30 minutes each way, with the sandflies there an experience to behold! Although North Egmont to Holly is part of the Northern Circuit, some people choose to go there and back, including Bells Falls in a single day. To do this you will need a high level of fitness and adequate time. This information was gathered while on site in 2004. Last walked in 2005.

This part of the track is above the snow line in places so temperatures can be very low, and the wind chill severe.

Under the Dieffenbach cliffs are many tui that you will hear if you don’t see, their songs reverberating off the cliffs in a magnificent chorus.

The Kokowai track turns off to the right, signalling about an hour to go to Holly, and mostly downhill from here with many steps. As you drop into the Ahukawakawa/Pouakai swamp turn left to Holly Hut, only one minute away, or right to continue on the Northern Circuit to Pouakai Hut.

From Holly Hut, Bells Falls on the other side of the Dome are worth a look, another 30 minutes each way, with the sandflies there an experience to behold!

Although North Egmont to Holly is part of the Northern Circuit, some people choose to go there and back, including Bells Falls in a single day. To do this you will need a high level of fitness and adequate time.

This information was gathered while on site in 2004. Last walked in 2005.

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