Distance: 5.5 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Moderate-hard terrain
Altitude: 496m to 601m. Gain: 122m. Loss: 226m . Gradient: 4 deg (Flat)
Skills: - Prolonged rivers (4/6)

Unmarked route, clear (7/9)
Unmarked route, follows obvious geography (river, spur, trail, etc)

Secondary, unmapped (4/5)
Route not on maps, an alternative recognised access to hut or along range / catchment

Flat (difficulty: 1/5)
Flat

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Tall, walkable scrub / large rocks, occasional waterfalls or gorges in rivers

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

Prolonged rivers (difficulty: 4/6)
Frequent river travel - impassible after rain, risk of getting trapped

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

From the track junction (a DOC sign indicating 2-3 hrs to Te Puia Hut), an obvious and well marked track heads down the true right of the river - travel is quick for the first few km. It doesn't last!

Much of the travel is in the river and much slower. Track markers (triangles) are inconsistent (don't confuse with tape marking traps) sometimes marking footpads on either bank, sometimes not.

After 4km, the river enters a gorge and so does the tramper - just walk straight through! Shortly after emerging, look for a triangle on the TL and pick up a track that follows the river for a short distance then turns away and climbs steeply to a narrow saddle then descends to the track to Mangatainoka hot springs. Turn right and walk the remaining 600m to Te Puia Lodge.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Te Puia Lodge, cross the Makino River at the bridge and continue on the track for 100m - look for an unmarked lesser track to the right (just before a climb). This secondary track climbs south to a saddle then descends steeply back to the river. Follow the track to the river and continue, in the stream, through the gorge. Much of the travel in in the stream but look for track markers (triangles) to tae advantage of faster travel on footpads when possible.

Within 2km of the track junction, look for a track marker on the TR that marks the start of a well defined track providing quick travel to the junction.