A Hamilton man's short cut home this morning has led him directly to police cells.

Police say he will have plenty of time to reassess his navigation skills today after being arrested in the city early this morning trying to get into a house in Te Aroha St. A woman inside called police at 2.15 am after being disturbed by the noise of her security chain rattling.

When arrested the man said it was all a mistake and he had just been trying to take a short cut through the woman's home. He will be appearing in the Hamilton District Court today to discuss how he managed to get so off track.