Distance: 2.1 km (0.8 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 855m to 1096m. Gain: 245m. Loss: 4m . Gradient: 7 deg (Gentle)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

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

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

From Kapapakanui Hut, follow the signposted track uphill (east) towards Kapakapanui Highpoint,. A small knob (pt890) is reached after 200m, where a large DOC triangle marks the start of a route north to join the Pukeatua Track. Ignoring that, follow the main marked track SE as it climbs onto the tops. Out in the open tussock and scrub, the ridgeline swings south and a broad ridge joins from the north, 200m later the first highpoint (pt1094) is reached, topped by a radio tower.

The track continues north along the open tops, in and out of bush with great views of the ranges and coast, until 500m later a second highpoint at Kapapakanui Trig is reached. A signposted track junction lies 50m beyond.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the trig/highpoint, follow the marked/cut track north across the tops. In and out of beech and tussock there are good views of the coast and the main range. 500m north a second highpoint is reached with a small radio tower on it. An unmarked route drops east from here to the Waiorauru.

From the radio mast, the track continues north across open tops for 100m before swinging WNW and starting to drop. A broad ridge heads NE at this point with viable routes down it.

Following the main track, drop into beech forest where a well marked, cut track starts and descends. Underfoot is wet, but it it good going. 200m before Kakakapanui Hut, on a low knob at pt890 a large DOC triangle (not the smaller variety) marks the start of a rough NNE across private land to join the Pukeatua Track.

Ignoring this, continue to drop west to a boggy saddle, after which you'll find Kapakapanui Hut in a small clearing to the left of the track.