Please note that we have modified the route from the original descriptio n so that we will now go up from the Maitai Dam carpark to the Dew Lakes, t hen along the ridge, over Maungatapu and down to the Maungatapu Saddle befo re taking the route up to the top of point 1168 (the 'First Double'). From there we take the track down the ridge to the west to point BDL3 and forest ry roads back past the caretaker's cottage to the carpark. We did the walk yesterday (3 Feb) and it took us just over 6 hours (excluding breaks) at a brisk pace. There are steep climbs up to the Dew Lakes, up Maungatapu and u p to point 1168, and the descents from the last 2 are steep, rooty and slip pery, as is the bottom part of the ridge after BDL3. The total ascent was a bout 1300m and we need to keep up a good pace to get back. Consequently, we have changed the trip grading from 'medium' to 'fit'. However, there are o ptions for those who don't want to do the whole walk to go to Dew Lakes and return the same way, or to walk to the Maungatapu Saddle and return down t he Maungatapu Track to the dam.
Meet at Maitai Dam carpark before the gate (so we don't have to worry about being locked in) at 08:00.
Original description: From Ma itai dam caretaker's cottage carpark along Maungatapu Track to saddle then north along Saddle Hill route to point 1168. From there follow track west d own to forestry road and back to carpark.
This event was imported from: https://live.nelsontrampingclub.org. nz/events/1490/dew-lakes-and-saddle-hill-route-loop?tmpl=componentDTSTAMP:20260420T085437 DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250223 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250224 SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR