Distance: 0.8 km (0.3 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 679m to 698m. Gain: 26m. Loss: 7m . Gradient: 2 deg (Flat)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

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

Flat (difficulty: 1/5)
Flat

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

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

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

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

From the track junction on the western bank of the Whirinaki River, the cut, marked Upper Whirinaki Track crosses the Whirinaki River (a narrow stream, ankle-to-knee deep at this point) and heads east up a side-valley to Upper Whirinaki Hut. The track sticks to the valleyfloor - crossing the small stream repeatedly before setting on the southern bank, crossing once more just before the hut to the north. The hut sits in a clearing on the northern river bank.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Upper Whirinaki Hut, the cut, marked tramping track heads downriver on forested river flats. The track crosses to the south bank soon after leaving the hut, remains there for a while, then crosses a handful more times just above the confluence with the Whirinaki River. The sidestream is small, and it should normally be possible to cross with dry feet.

The track crosses the Whirinaki River to reach the junction where a signpost marks the start of a rough marked route running downstream to join the Central Whirinaki track at a cave. The Whirinaki River at this point is a small stream, and is ankle-to knee deep - generally an easy crossing - maybe even dry feet.