Distance: 6.5 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 710m to 1496m. Gain: 904m. Loss: 118m . Gradient: 9 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) 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 (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

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

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

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

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

A well cut track (2012) zigzags up the hill from the Kaimanawa roadend carpark, climbing 600m to the Umakarikari tops. A persistent, but not steep climb. The track emerges onto the tussock tops after 3km to a spectacular panorama of the volcanoes and lake Taupo. Along the tops erosion has been a problem, and constant maintenance is required. The one sharp climb once on the ridge leads over Sharp Cone. A signposted track junction 300 to the east provides access to the Waipakihi valley floor. 1h45-3hrs to junction

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description