Distance: 8.4 km (6.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 743m to 1432m. Gain: 878m. Loss: 447m . Gradient: 9 deg (Moderate-hard)
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-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous moderate climbs

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Low scrub in open or bush / river rocks

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 basic Kaimanawa tramping track climbs from the signposted track junction just below the forks of the Oamaru River and Waitawhero Stream towards Cascade Hut.

The initial 1.5km is steep and relentless, but after pt1254 the gradient lessens. From here the track climbs and drops over numerous minor peaks, which get higher as you travel north. The track is initially through good bush, but this becomes scrubby higher up. You break out onto tussock tops for 1.5km crossing Maungaorangi, with great views in all directions. This section of the route is lightly poled.

Returning to the bush, the track drops to Waiatupuritia Saddle, where an unmaintained track joins from the Ngaruroro valley to the south. This track heads to Boyd Hut, but crosses private (iwi) land.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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