Upgrades of two of the Coromandel‘s most popular DOC sites begin next week on the Pinnacles Hut and nearby Summit Track.

The Pinnacles Hut is an 80-bunk hut in the Kauaeranga Valley. Built in 1994, the hut offers expansive views across the southern Coromandel Peninsula.

The Pinnacles Hut and Summit Track are often used by international tourists visiting Coromandel.

The hut is one of DoC’s busiest with 15,000 bednights per year.

DOC Hauraki senior ranger Karen Ismay said the hut refurbishment project will start on Monday, May 12, and run for six weeks until June 21.

“The work on the hut involves installing insulation, false ceilings and double-glazed windows – all of which will mean a warmer, drier and more comfortable hut for our visitors.

“We know that a significant proportion of tourism is based in, on or around our unique natural environment and this part of a wider drive to make DOC’s hut buildings more environmentally sustainable for future generations to enjoy.

“This hut is particularly popular with international visitors enjoying what the Coromandel has to offer.”

With the work under way, the hut becomes an active worksite – which means it is off-limits to the public and cannot be booked.

Alongside the hut project is an improvement project on the Summit Track, which is accessed from the Pinnacles Hut.

The Summit Track project will improve the track surface, with boardwalks installed to prevent the kauri dieback disease.

Drainage will also be upgraded.

The track will be closed to the public from 7am Monday to 3pm on Friday, reopening for weekend walkers.

The project should be completed by June 21.

“We understand there may be some disappointment about these closures, but we’re confident our visitors will appreciate the improvements – particularly on chilly winter nights in the hut."