Distance: 8.2 km (5.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 142m to 804m. Gain: 1040m. Loss: 459m . Gradient: 11 deg (Moderate)
Skills:

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, unmapped (2/5)
Route not on maps, but is 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

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

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

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

Well marked and cut track, part of Te Araroa, though muddy in places. From the info kiosk at the Waiotauru roadend, follow the track and turning right then left at the signposted junctions in the grassy paddock towards to Pukeatua Track. This starts as a benched track, climbing in zigzags up the face above the carpark. After 300m a signposted junction is reached with a rougher tramping track climbing left (west) up the spur. This is the start of the Pukeatua Track proper.

The track climbs steadily to the ridgeline, then follows it south, climbing gently. You are in regenerating bush most of the way though some clearings early on and later at Pukeatua summit provide views of the coast and main range. At Pukeatua the track swings west and crosses a gentle saddle to reach pt762. Soon after a sharp bend is reached where the track swings north. A large DOC triangle on a tree at this point marks the start of a route south to Kapakapanui Hut, crossing private land.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Well marked and cut track, part of Te Araroa, though muddy in places.

From the track junction west of pt762, the track climbs/falls gently to reach Pukeatua highpoint, where subalpine clearings give views of the main range. From here the track swings north and descends through mainly regenerating bush for several kilometers before further clearings are reached. Here the track swings west and descends steeply towards the camp at Otaki Forks. Shortly before reaching the bottom you hit the benched fenceline track, and turn right to zigzags down to the carpark.

The campground is on river flats 100m right along the road, and the main Otaki Forks picnic area 1.5km left down the road.