A look at the topo map will reveal something of the character of the Paske Valley: several high peaks, nudging over 2000m, large rolling expanses of sub-alpine grasslands, and patches of beech forest edging over the lower mountain slopes.

There are several ways to reach Paske Hut, one option is crossing Paske Saddle, near the head of the Clarence River, upstream of Lake Tennyson. Instead of climbing a steep, scrubby spur, it’s possible to scramble up a gorged gut into the basin below Paske Saddle. Once over the saddle, the Paske Valley opens out: the tiny hut looking appropriately insignificant in the great sweep of the valley, with Mt Iris dominating behind.

Easy, pleasant travel across the grassy sward, and through open beech forest lead to the river flats and the hut.

Paske Hut gets a steady stream of visitors, but is remote enough to usually be empty. Once, however, in the early 1980s, some 24 people crammed into it during a storm.

Paske Hut and Paske Valley Photo: Shaun Barnett/Black Robin Photography