Distance: 10.4 km (4.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 444m to 646m. Gain: 300m. Loss: 346m . Gradient: 4 deg (Gentle)
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

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

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

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

From the track junction with the Wairaki River track (30 minutes north of Lower Wairaki Hut), the Te Araroa Trail heads north through the Takitimu Forest. The track is well marked and gets a lot of foot traffic over the summer months from TA walkers so is easy to follow. The small side streams crossed along the way are barely ankle deep.

The large swamp near Aparima Huts is reached in about 4 hours from Lower Wairaki Hut. Follow the foot prints through the swamp grass and down the spur above the Aparima River. A swing bridge is crossed over the river, and the huts are reached soon after a short distance upstream from the bridge.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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