French Ridge Hut
French Ridge Hut is a serviced backcountry hut in the Matukituki Valley area of Mount Aspiring National Park (Otago). It provides 20 bunks and is managed for public use by the Department of Conservation. The hut sits near the end of the tussock just below the snow line and serves as an overnight stop for ascents of Mount Aspiring.
Bookings are required year-round and are made through the New Zealand Alpine Club’s serviced alpine hut system (pay on booking). Fees apply for non-members and members (adult non-members 18+ years: $40; adult members: $20; youth 11–17: $10 for members / $20 for non-members; children 0–10: free). Bring a sleeping bag and stove with fuel pots/pans and utensils, toilet paper, a rubbish bag to pack out all rubbish (including food scraps), and a torch. The hut has toilets (pit latrine) and is lit; drinking water is untreated.
It’s a 6 hr–7 hr 30 min one-way trip from Raspberry Creek car park via the West Matukituki track to Pearl Flat and the French Ridge Track, or 4 hr–5 hr from Aspiring Hut via West Matukituki to Pearl Flat and the French Ridge Track.