Devil’s Den Biv Was Full… Nina Valley to Doubtful Hut Backcountry Traverse

This trip took me deep into the backcountry of Lake Sumner Forest Park for a two-day hut and biv adventure. Starting at the SH7 car park, I followed the Nina Valley Track through beautiful beech forest and along the Nina River to Nina Hut. From there the route becomes rougher and less travelled as it climbs higher into the mountains toward Devils Den Bivouac, where I spent the night in one of the most remote little shelters in the area. On day two I pushed on over the range and down into the Doubtful Valley, eventually reaching Doubtful Hut before hiking the long valley out to State Highway 7, where I was picked up at the track end. This is a rugged part of Canterbury, with big valleys, river crossings, and classic New Zealand backcountry huts. A great reminder of how wild and remote these places still are. Track: Nina Valley Track and Devilskin Saddle Route Location: Lake Sumner Forest Park Distance: 40km (round trip) DOC Huts: Nina Hut, 10 bed (Standard), Devils Den Biv, 2 bed (Basic) and Doubtful Hut, 2 bed (Basic).