Barlow Hut

The place

Standard 8-bunk DOC hut built in 1983 in Ruahine Forest Park, at 591 m altitude, straddling the Manawatu/Whanganui and Hawke's Bay regions. The hut has platform bunks with 8 mattresses, a wood-burning stove and a water point at the stream. Main access via the Makaroro River from the Wakarara Road end (75 km from Napier), a three-hour walk over 7 km off the maintained DOC track; the river crossing becomes dangerous in flood. No booking, payment by hut ticket or Backcountry Hut Pass in the honesty box.