French Ridge Hut
The place
Serviced alpine hut with 20 bunks, owned by the New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC), in the Matukituki valley, Mount Aspiring National Park, Otago region (South Island, New Zealand), at around 1,500 meters altitude, near the tussock grass line just below the snowline. Key stage on Mount Aspiring summit routes. Access from the Raspberry Creek carpark in 6-7h30 (16.2 km via the West Matukituki Track and French Ridge Track), or from Aspiring Hut in 4-5h (7.2 km). Rates in NZD: adults non-members 40, NZAC members 20; youth (11-17) non-members 20, members 10; free under 11. Booking required year-round via the DOC system (openings until 30 June 2027), same-day bookings possible until 8pm; service fee of 10 NZD by phone (free for NZAC members). Bring sleeping bag, stove and fuel, utensils, toilet paper, garbage bags, torch. Groups limited to 10 beds (50% of capacity), groups of more than 10 people must notify the Wanaka centre two weeks in advance.
