Distance: 3.7 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Road - Easy terrain
Altitude: 296m to 378m. Gain: 63m. Loss: 139m . Gradient: 3 deg (Flat)
Skills:

Road (1/9)
Formed road, 4WD track, etc

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Flat (difficulty: 1/5)
Flat

Easy (difficulty: 1/5)
Grass / prepared surface

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

From the Te Araroa track junction with Mangahao Rd, heading north along the public 4WD road soon takes you to Tokomaru #3 dam. Not the most scenic of spots - surrounded by post-logging wasteland. 1km beyond, a 4WD tarck cuts back south dropping to the river. This is Tokomaru Rd, and has been without a signpost for some years (2104).

Following Tokomaru rd down to the river (bridged) , we swing back NE along the opposite bank for 2km, passing old yards and shearing sheds amidst the pines. The track starts to climb off the valley floor, and 100m beyond a lone green post is all that remains (2014) of the signpost marking the start of Burttons Track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the end of Burtton Track to Tokomaru #3 Dam is an easy, if uninteresting walk along the graveled Tokomaru Road,. Reaching the end of the road, turn left along Mangahao Road. Starting in post-forestry wasteland, and later entering regenerating bush at the park boundary, there’s not much scenery-wise.

100m beyond the park boundary at the head of Tokomaru #3 Reservoir, a signpost marks the start of a tramping track through the front-country to Gladstone Rd - part of the Te Araroa Trail.