Distance: 3.6 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 152m to 855m. Gain: 41m. Loss: 744m . Gradient: 13 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

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 (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

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

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

From Kapakapnui Hut a good marked, cut tramping track circles NW down towards Ngatiawa roadend. After a brief steep descent, going is easy for the next couple of kilometers.

(A large give way sign on a tree near pt755 marks a turnoff on an old track over private lad towards Mangone South - this crosses forestry and permission is required.)

Sticking with the Kapakapanui track swing west then south and follow the ridge as it descends with increasing steepness. Finally the track cuts south off the spur and drops to the river (old maps show it continuing straight). Once at the creek, it crosses 4 times before reaching the forks. This side-creek is generally ok except in extreme conditions - normally ankle deep.

Apart from the creek crossings, the track is good: clear, well marked and well maintained. This is a popular route.

At the forks a signpost marks the junction with the other half of the Kapakapanui looop track, and another unmarked but obvious track heading up the southern branch of the Nagatiawa Stream.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted track junction, the northern Kapakapanui track heads up the northern fork of the river, crossing 4 more times in 300m, before turning sharply north and zigzagging up the face to join the spur above. Apart from the creek crossings, the track is good: clear, well marked and well maintained. This is a popular route. Once there it climbs steeply for 400 vertical meters before flattening off to a gently climb for the next 2km. 400m from the hut you hit a final steep 200m ascent, ending at the hut itself.