Hi, Melnq8,

My sister, brother-in-law and their daughter and her partner, all very fit people, did this track in January a couple of years ago. It was very wet, and they found it a really difficult time. My sis said if they had known how hard it was going to be in the rain they probably might have pulled out. (These are people who walk briskly for nearly an hour a day, and every school holidays go tramping / walking somewhere in NZ.) At one section my niece slipped and damaged a leg, which resulted in nearly 12 months treatment.
I had thought it sounded and looked a great trek but I'm glad I'm not a terribly fit person because now I'm not tempted!!

Thanks dotty. It certainly sounds challenging. We're not planning to tackle it - I know my limitations. Our next trip to NZ will be in late winter/early spring, so not doable anyway, but I was curious just the same, as I didn't realize where the track was until just a few days ago.

I guess it's privately operated by the community of Tuatapere. Private tracks tend to deter me anyway.

Sorry I did not see your post til now, yes that is the Hump Ridge. There are options to be helicoptered, either you or your pack. I didn't thonk it ws too bad, although there was a double sided drop off that I didn't like before the first night lodging. It has been a while since I did it, I understood that a lot of the track is now boardwalked. There were some really muddy stretches on Day 2.

Ps not sure re the other track, I think if you head west from where the Hump intersects it is very difficult, but from the trestles where Hump intersects, to Bluecliffs is easy. Lots of sandflies on the beaches!