The Upper Hut was scenic with the wine trail, Kaitoke National Park and Rimutaka Hills. The Pakuratahi Forest covers the western side of the Rimutaka ranges north of Upper Hutt and includes lands in the Kaitoke basin as well as the main Pakuratahi catchment. The road into the forest was very rough and had many pot holes. It was not maintained and the forest had been burned in several areas. On the opposite side of the forest was a valley of rolling hills and pastures. Most parts of the forest are isolated, exposed to wind and rain and without cellphone coverage. The road was too damaged for our car to continue so we could not venture very far into the camp ground and hiking areas.
