A long-awaited return to Kashmir Road

Longview Hut – Daphne Track, Ruahine FP, 15 February 2025
Banner Photo: Longview has received a new roof, paint, and renovation of the side A frame. The final touches were in progress.

Longview Hut is easily visible

No less than 18 took the opportunity to return to the Kashmir Road area, after it had been closed for some time. It was a beautiful sunny day and Longview Hut was clearly visible as we approached the mountains. The plan was to tramp up to Longview, and then over the tops to meet and return via the Daphne Track. Those who wished could also just go to Longview and back.

The view east from Longview Hut

Kashmir Road was in a good condition and, without trouble, our drivers Campbell and Keith got the van and the car to the Moorcock Saddle car park. A notice said that Longview Hut was closed for maintenance, but we were already aware of this.

When the hut is full, this side area is invaluable

From the car park, we began our climb of just over 500 metres to arrive at the junction with the Howletts Hut Track. The views on the way were magnificent. The hut can be seen on the way up sitting below the ridgeline in pristine white with its new red roof. The climb is relatively gradual and took my group 1 hour and 20 minutes, although others had already made it to Longview Hut which was five minutes further on, and a few more arrived a bit later.

We had morning tea at the junction, and decided who was going to do what. Keith, Gerard, Marie and Ishtar were just going to visit the hut, and do a bit more sightseeing before walking down, while the 14 others took the unmarked route over the ridge towards the Daphne Track.

The clear weather ensured some very good views to the main range, and to central Hawke’s Bay to the east. The first part of the route looked like a proper track, but after a while we were just finding our way through the tussock. It was easy to go in the wrong direction, as Mary – and those behind her – noticed when she lost sight of the person in front of her. But a quick look on the map showed us where we were supposed to be going.

The lunch spot on the saddle with sun and views

After about an hour, we dropped down to the saddle, and could see the large orange triangle on the bush edge. At this point, the frontrunners were waiting for the rearguard and having lunch. It was a sunny spot, with views to Daphne Ridge and the track to Daphne Hut. We all stopped for lunch too, then climbed up to the junction with the track that leads from Kashmir Road over the ridge to the Tukituki River and Daphne Hut. We turned right, steeply down to Kashmir Road. In places, it was difficult to see the track, as we had to work our way through the flaxes, astelias and ferns. It felt like a long distance but we continued to have nice views mixed with lovely bush. On the bush edge, hebes were in full flower.

The hebes in flower

At the car park, we had expected the van and car to be waiting, but they were nowhere to be seen. Campbell decided to walk to Moorcock Saddle to pick up the van. The group that had stayed behind had a wander to Longview Hut and about 20 minutes beyond and a long and lazy rest at the hut before making their way back. They had not thought the others would be back so soon, so took their time getting down. Only when the full van returned from Daphne car park did they arrive, after having had a lovely day.

It was a challenging tramp for some, but it was also a beautiful and very enjoyable day. Including lunch, it took me (being tail-end Charlie) 3h10m from the first junction to the Daphne car park. This included another 270m of uphill and 870 m downhill.

Trampers: Darran Gillies, Mary Campbell, Di Reid, Juliet Gillick, Shona Tupe, Campbell Living, Donna Weston, Gerard van de Ven, Barbara Edmead, Ishtar Deerheart, Craig Mountfort, Anne Mountfort, Jenny Burns, Marie Deroles, Keith Gore, Julia Mackie, Julian Phillips and reporter Elly Govers