Distance: 3.5 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 138m to 185m. Gain: 78m. Loss: 60m . Gradient: 2 deg (Flat)
Skills: - Extreme rivers (5/6)

Unmarked route, clear (7/9)
Unmarked route, follows obvious geography (river, spur, trail, etc)

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

Flat (difficulty: 1/5)
Flat

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

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

Extreme rivers (difficulty: 5/6)
Major rivers - likely to be impassible in all but ideal conditions

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

The Moto is unlike other Raukumara rivers. Deep, placid, flowing in a defined single channel between its bank. Absert are the gravel flats and braided channels of the other Raukumara valleys. The valley sides are high and sheer and offer little hope of sidle routes if the river is up. The scenery is both serene and spectacular. It feals like a remote and wonderful place. By far, the highlight of the trip. When not in flood. On a previous trip I only got within 4km of it, and was already deafened by the roar of muddy brown churning water, carrying entire trees, rolling boulders down river.
A long straight lies immediately above the confluence, with good travel on either bank. Beyond lies the first gorge- 1.5km of frequent crossings from gravel-beach to gravel-beach – each crossing upstream against the flow for those heading east-west. Crossings are thigh deep in low flows, and would be deeper after rain. 10 crossings all up to reach the end of the gorge.

A km or so above the gorge, a dilapidated prefabricated cabin sits on the south bank, a clear track leads to it from the river. No beds, and one wall gone, but shelter if stuck.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description