Distance: 6.4 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Benched track - Easy terrain
Altitude: 459m to 540m. Gain: 204m. Loss: 203m . Gradient: 4 deg (Gentle)
Skills:

Benched track (3/9)
Benched, maintained, marked tramping track or pack-track

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

Easy (difficulty: 1/5)
Grass / prepared surface

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

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

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

A good benched track leads up the river valley from the carpark. Sidling for a while the track drops to the river after a km or so, and then continues to alternate between sidles in gorged sections and riverbank strolls in broader parts of the valley. The track is easy but spectacular, cut into the cliff faces in places, and passing through sheer gorges in the Mohaka River. A great introduction to tramping for almost all abilities.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Te Puia Lodge, the track follows beside the river for a short while before the first of 4 or 5 sustained climbs of 150 - 200m above the river, providing great views of the steep terrain. Zig-zags descend and climb before the final steep pinch to the carpark and a useful shelter.