A truly great day circuit with beautiful bush, swimming holes, and a bit of good ol’ fashioned puff! The track begins confidently, heading past the Kiwi Ranch Camp before zig-zagging uphill. You’ll reach the junction with the track to Marchant Ridge and Alpha Hut within 20-30 minutes (this is the way you’ll return). The gentle climb to Puffer Saddle is smooth, easy, and mostly shady—welcome on a hot summer’s day. Occasionally you’ll be treated to views over the Kaitoke and Pakuratahi Basin. At 465m, Puffer Saddle is in fact a low pass in the North Island’s spine. From here, the…