Kime Hut

Really modern and beautiful hut although I think it could really do with a bit of a clean as there is a layer of dusty and a bit of mould around the hut

Really nice hut with only an hours walk (that's an easy pace.....you could do it a lot faster if required) to Mt Hector. It's a really nice hike and would recommend. This hut is much nicer than field hut. It's just more modern but also more exposed to the elements so choose wisely with what hut it best to stay at

Great location, but the hut is pretty mouldy and had a broken window. One loo was missing a door too - needs a bit of R+M.

The 6-7 hour walk up the mountain is laborious - almost all of it is gnarly rock and root, reserved for those who are willing to put the effort in with a great big pack on the back. During winter time, and the shoulder seasons too for that matter, cloud cover almost all of the track, and the views are reduced to about 20 meters of tussock grass. But if you're really lucky just like we were, it'll open up and you get wonderful views around Wellington.There are 20 beds here, all in the same room with the kitchen and dining area. No power obviously, and it can get very cold, as there's no fireplace. But it's a fairly new building, so double glazing and insulation is there.

Kime Hut is a New Zealand Backcountry Tramping Hut, offering basic shelter. It is not a Guesthouse per Google Description (May, 2017). It's the coldest hut in the Tararuas and has been nicknamed 'The Icebox' because it's as cold inside as it is outside (just minus the wind-chill). There's no heating (it's above the tree line so there's no readily available fuel).Best enjoyed in summer. In the winter it's considered an emergency shelter - ice forms on the inside walls and it has even snowed inside. The Tararuas have a notorious reputation for bad weather so please pay attention to the weather before setting out into the magnificent Tararua Forest Park.FYI - Field and Alpha Huts (either side of Kime) sit just below the tree line and offer heating.Happy and safe hiking to you all.

With the sun pouring in the all day it was actually amazingly hot in the hut, it didn't do its nickname any justice.We got lucky in that there were hardly any other trampers there, and the few people were very quiet and considerate...Not a 5-star rating because the way to the loos was poorly visible and full of Spaniards, plus the loos themselves were just about overflowing.

Well insulated but warm isn't the word I'd use. Visited in April and was warm enough with 2 layers of Merino thermals, a fleece layer, a coat, and a sleeping bag. There isn't fuel (wood) up there so they haven't put in a fireplace. Don't expect wet things to dry even though there is a good amount of hanging space - too cold and humid. Personally, I think a fireplace would be a welcome addition as I'd happily bring some logs up with me from the forest, but anyhow. It is a very clean modern hut. Very different to Field. Glad to escape the howling winds and fog.

Walked up from Otaki forks (6-7 Hours) and back down the next day. We walked up to hector in the cloud and waited a while, for our wishes of the cloud lifting had come true had good views from hector as well as the hut. The old hut was pretty cold from what I heard as it had no insulation or fireplace as it was built in 1930. The new hut built in 2014 was warm but still no fireplace as there are no nearby sources of wood. The hut has double glazed windows and insulation? (Not sure). Overall nice hut, However not too sure how it would be in winter as you will be in the snow.

Great fitness jaunt. Can get extremely cold & exposed though - so wear suitable clothing for an alpine environment. Beautiful lighting in the evening when the weather gods smile on you. BYO stove, there is no heating (it is an NZ alpine hut) & toilet paper. And PLEASE take your rubbish back down with you from both Field & Kime Huts.