Distance: 3.8 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 319m to 1156m. Gain: 126m. Loss: 960m . Gradient: 17 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: 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

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous moderate climbs

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

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

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

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

A good cut, marked track runs from the bushline to Makarora Wilderness lodge. It's a long descent with a couple of sidle sections. At the base of the slope the track forks with the northern fork heading for the road, and the southern for the campground / bar.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The main track starts at a signpost 200m north of the cafe, Alternatively follow the gravel road through the campground and pick up DOC signs to the southern track entrance.

The track climbs steadily gaining 800m in 4km by the bushline. It is well marked and cut. A warning sign at 1150m on the bushedge marks the end of the cut track and start f the alpine route.