Distance: 2.2 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 937m to 1414m. Gain: 477m. Loss: 0m . Gradient: 13 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Iceaxe/crampons (4/7)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

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

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

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

Iceaxe/crampons (difficulty: 4/7)
Ice axe and crampons required in winter

Steep climb - axe may be needed if bad icing present,

From the Te Matawai / Mangahao track junction, a well used, broad, cut track runs ESE through the scrub-layer on an obvious ridge. Climbing gently at first, the gradient later increases, the track zigzagging at times as it heads up the final steep slop to Pukematawai summit. The track is well marked or poled for all its length, and though eroded in places is reasonable going.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A well travelled, poled track drops WNW from the signposted track junction west of Pukematawai summit. Dropping continuously and eroded/scoured out in places this is an obvious track on a stoney bed. You soon enter scrub, but the track is wide and well cut. After a couple of kilometers, still in the scub-band, a signposted track junction is reached. This is the turnoff to Mangahao Hut.