Demon Trail

Demon Trail is a remote, rugged point-to-point section of the Hollyford Track from McKerrow Island Hut to Hokuri Hut beside Lake McKerrow / Whakatipu Waitai. The corrected visitor route is about 9.0 miles (14.5 km) one way and normally takes roughly 7–8 hours, including the McKerrow hut access and the 9.6 km Demon Trail Hut–Hokuri Hut section. It is a hut-to-hut route, not a loop or a day-hike circuit.

The route follows a historic cattle track through dense Fiordland forest and along the lake, passing Demon Trail Hut before continuing to Hokuri Hut. Expect rocky, muddy, wet, and uneven footing, with long formed sections between rougher stretches. Orange markers guide the way, but this section is maintained to a lower standard than the easier northern parts of the Hollyford Track. The route includes several three-wire bridges and unbridged streams; crossings can become impassable after heavy rain.

McKerrow Island Hut is reached by a short side track from the main route near the Hollyford River. The hut is near the river mouth and the crossing has no bridge, so high water can strand visitors there until the river falls. Hokuri Hut is the northern endpoint represented here; arrange your onward transport or overnight plan before starting. Both huts require backcountry preparation, and dogs are not permitted on the Hollyford Track.

This is an advanced wilderness tramp for fit, experienced hikers who can navigate through rough terrain and manage changing Fiordland weather. Carry sturdy footwear, waterproof layers, food, navigation equipment, and a distress beacon. Allow extra time for mud, tree fall, slips, and river conditions, and check the current DOC track information before departure.