Distance: 4.8 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 481m to 1362m. Gain: 910m. Loss: 29m . Gradient: 11 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Occasional scrambles (3/7) - Occasional rivers (3/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

Occasional scrambles (difficulty: 3/7)
Tramp with some scrambles and exposure to falls

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

Ice axe may be handy is snow level below 1200m for the final exposed section.

A triangle at the base of the spur between Gold Creek and the Makaroro marks the start of the Sparrowhawk track. A river crossing is required if coming from the Wakarara roadend. The river is knee to thigh deep in normal flows, and an easy flat crossing - but can easily flood.

The track is cut and marked and a good tramping track through mature bush. The final section to the hut is steep and traverses the tops of steep slips - care is required.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A good cut marked track drops from Sparrowhawk Biv to the Makaroro / Gold Creek confluence. The initial section below the hut is steep and traverses the tops of steep slips - care is required. Below that the gradient become more pleasant and this is an easy walk.

A river crossing is required if heading downriver. The river is knee to thigh deep in normal flows, and an easy flat crossing - but can easily flood.