Distance: 2.4 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Unmaintained track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1112m to 1563m. Gain: 454m. Loss: 8m . Gradient: 11 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

Unmaintained track (5/9)
Former track, overgrown - markers / ground trail still followable

minor (5/5)
A viable route, not widely used

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

This route crosses private land, and permission is required from East Taupo Lands Block to use it. Alternative public access is via the spur south of the hut leading to pt1660. Be aware that on some topo map versions, the Waipakihi Hut end of the track is incorrectly marked. To get to it, you should go back down towards the Waipakihi R from the hut and pick up the track running down the true left of the river, past pt 1091 until you see the signed track junction. The track goes up the north-west feeder spur, not the north-east.

The cut, marked track climbs east from the hut through manuka scrub, onto the well defined spur. You soon emerge into kaimanawa tops of tussock and blazing subalpines. Continue up the spur to the summit. A junction with the main NS ridgeline, 100m beyond, is marked by a cairn. 45mins-1.5hrs to summit

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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