Distance: 1.6 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 679m to 935m. Gain: 256m. Loss: 4m . Gradient: 10 deg (Gentle)
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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

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

From Taipo Hut, the Wangapeka Track continues up the flat valley floor for 500m, before crossing a sidestream on a swingbridge. The 1km climb to Stag Flat from the bridge is steady, well marked, but rougher underfoot than most of the Wangapeka Track. Stag Flat hut is located on the track at the start of the Stag Flat clearing.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Stag Flat Hut, the Wangapeka Track drops steadily for 1km to the valley floor below. Crossing a sidecreek on a swingbridge, it continues a further 500m down valley flats to where the dark, damp Taipo Hut sits in a small clearing on the northern valleyside.