A good track runs south from the Comet roadend, climbing steadily the 100m to the plateau.From there an easy 2km follows through pine plantation and beech on a good cut track, before the plateau ends and the abyss of the Taruarau valley opens up before you. The track remains well cut and benched as it zigzags down the steep spur to the valley floor. A lot of contours crossed, but on a decent track. Sidling down and downriver, the track crosses a sidecreek where there are good campspots, and then drops the final few meters to the river.

Bozzy 2024 added: Did not spot markers from campsight to river which resulted in a scramble down a bank (presumably river bank damaged by cyclone Gabrielle in 2023). Suggest having a good look around for best way down to river and best crossing point.

The Taruarau must be forded - knee deep on fine shingle in low conditions, but it's a big river and can easily flood.

Once across the track heads downriver on a low terrace of open manuka - more well used campspots. Triangles mark a steady climb to higher open terraces, before a cut track heads in thick low bush at their rear, sidling into the sidevalley which holds Shutes Hut. A further 1km of sidling steep valleysides follows before the track reaches a basin with a large grassy clearing, a stand of mature pines, and Shutes Hut.

Comet->Shutes 1h45 to 3hrs

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A broad, moss-covered track climbs the spur behind Shutes Hut through manuka bush. Moderately steep at first it eases further as you climb towards the bushedge at around 850m. Beyond the bushedge, claypan and low scrub replace the manukua bush and the track becomes indiscinct, meandering between adjoining clearings of claypan. Occasional cairns and warratahs mark the way, but often you are left to follow your nose.

Passing the first 956m summit you swing south and enter scrubby tussock tops, dropping to a saddle then climbing another 100m to the next high point. Throughout, you are left to find your own way south along the ridgeline - there are very few markers and no clear ground trail. A long climb leads to pt1183, and in bad weather compass work was required on these brad tops.

Thankfully, the ridge narrows between pt1183 and pt11800 and the route is identifable along the escarpment of the Koau valley. A wooden signpost at the point where the ridge swings west marks the turnoff to Dianes Hut in the Koau valley below. Shutes -> Junction, 2 - 3.5hrs

April 2024: The track seems to be better marked than when MadPom wrote the above in 2014. Frequent Markers and Cairns made the route fairly easy to follow.

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From the Diane's / Shutes / Taruarau junction, a well travelled, poled route heads due west along the main ridgeline, climbing slightly over pt1180 and swinging WSW. 400m beyond, a clear poled route descends north-west down the second spur you pass, dropping 30 vertical meters to the bushedge. Taruarau Biv is located just inside the bush.

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From the signpost on the ridgeline, a track drops initially SE into the Koau, through flax and tussock. You soon enter mature bush of beech and broadleaf, and drop steeply east towards the valley floor, sidling downriver in the process. It's a good but steep tramping track. Diane's Hut sits in a clearing 40m above the river on the northern bank, directly on the track.

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From the signpost on the ridgeline, a track drops initially SE into the Koau, through flax and tussock. You soon enter mature bush of beech and broadleaf, and drop steeply east towards the valley floor, sidling downriver in the process. It's a good but steep tramping track. Diane's Hut sits in a clearing 40m above the river on the northern bank, directly on the track.

No track marked past Taruarau Bivy turnoff sign, except for the odd cairn.
Near Pt 1190 the travel through the beech forest on East side of ridge was good.
The plateau approx 1km before Pt 1282 was scrubby and hard going. The likely best option is to stick to the West side of plateau.
About half way between Pt 1190 and Pt 1282 you leave public land and go onto private land where permission is required. This seems to list the names of the owners https://www.maorilandinfo.co.nz/groups/te-koau-a/members.html
Eventually you hit the track that goes directly north south. THis is suitable for a quad bike and is distinctive in the tussock.
The junction with the turn off to Ikawetea Forks Hut is signedposted (2024).

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From Sign follow poles along spur to trig. This is a trapline so gets regular use.
The track is marked with big orange triangle on the bushline.
Steep descent onto plateau. Mature Beech forest with some big trees.
Another steep descent to the river.
Hut is on spur inside the confluence.

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Cross river next to hut and then follow track markers up steep section to get onto spur.
We followed Pink triangles and did not notice the Blue markers that Madpom refers to from a decade ago.
Trapline is easy to follow and good going. Once above the treeline,follow the poled route across the plateau to the hut.
The track had been cleared of weeds in 2024 to assist the checking of traps.
THere is a track to the hut from the middle of the airstrip.

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A DOC stoat-trap line runs from Ruahine Corner Hut to Ikawatea Forks Hut, crossing the edge of private land. Follow the warratahs and pink triangles from Ruahine Corner ENE towards pt1234, then north along the ridgeline bordering the bushedge to pt1206. Markers are infrequent, but just about followable. Follow the geography, if not.

From pt1206, drop NE to the bushedge, again following warratahs, and pick up the cut, marked stoat-trap line (more pink triangles) running down the spur past pt953. Passing level with the forks / hut, a saddle is reached. A track drops very steeply right, marked with blue triangles, the pink triangle continuing north away from the hut. Take the right-hand (blue) track and drop to the forks immediately below the hut.

Crossing the first branch of the stream (ankle to knee deep in normal flows), a DOC walking track starts at the forks, marked with the usual orange triangles, heading up the spur between the two forks, leading to the hut 100m south.

1.5-3hrs hut to hut

From Ruahine Corner Hut, a poled route leads 300m east along the bushedge before swinging south and entering the bush as a cut, marked track. After 600m a clear ridgeline forms, which the track follows past a large grassy slip, reaching the signposted junction with the track SE towards the main range after 1.5km.

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From the track junction, the cut, marked Potae-Ruahine Corner track follows the defined ridgeline NNE, passing the top of a large, grassy slip. After this it enters flat tops of young bush, descending gently before emerging 600m later at the stark line dividing the bush of the Ruahines from the tussock tops beyond. Ruahine Corner Hut is 300m west along the bush edge along a poled route.

From the Potae/Main Range Track junction, the ridgeline track continues SW to Potae highpoint traversing under and around several spectacular carved sandstone tors on the ridgeline. Descending steeply down the western side a signposted track junction is reached, with the western fork leading to Waiokotore Biv, the southern fork dropping sharply down to Colenso via the Potae-Mangatera River Track.

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From the Colenso turnoff, the track towards Ruahine Corner climbs over the Potae highpoint - one of several spectacular carved sandstone tors on the ridgeline. Descending the far side, a 2nd track junction is reached, where a track joins from the south from a saddle connecting Potae with the main range.

A mix of track, marked route and open river travel

From the signposted junction 200m west of Potae, the track drops steeply SW into the branch of the Mangatera River. On reaching the first forks, the track stops and you are left to work your way down the small riverbed. This was reasonable going, even in steady rain, with crossings knee deep in wet conditions. 2018 - travel was mostly along the banks which are frequently marked by orange triangles, and not requiring too many crossing on the slippery rocks within the river bed. Further down the river becomes more open, passing under several large cliff faces to join the main river.

On reaching the main Mangatera the river becomes much larger, and travel is on a wide riverbed of rounded riverstones. In steady rain the river occupied the whole bed, and crossings were knee to thigh deep. Some pools in the first 200m required scrubby bush-bashed to bypass. 2018 - no sidling required in low flows and travel easy and straight forward. 2024: travel easy in low flows.

The valley becomes scrubby as it nears the forks below the hut. About a 1km down the main river a fork appears on the true left. Enter the fork and orange triangles can be seen a few metres up on the true right bank. 2018 - clamber up true left of log waterfall and walk up the river is easy and straight forward to Colenso Hut, which is situated above the river on the true left. Note: plenty of mozzies were inside the hut - take repellent! 2024: No markers at turn off to Colenso hut. Look for side stream coming from narrow gap with large overhanging tock on East side.

Madpom's previous notes state: An uncut, badly marked track cut off the last corner above the forks and deposited us back in the riverbed heading upriver towards Colenso. If you can't find it, just follow the riverbed.
Colenso Hut is 600m upriver on the western bank.

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A track heads west from Colenso Hut, passing Lake Colenso. It is well worthwhile taking the signposted 100m side-track down to the lake, which is a unique gem rich in birdlife and surrounded by mature bush and limestone bluffs.

After the lake turnoff the track wanders across marshy flats through bush and clearings until the valley begins to narrow. Dropping slightly towards the river, the track sidles the southern face. A signposted track junction is soon reached with a track dropping from the south from Unknown Campsite and Maropea Forks.

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From the signposted track junction, the track sidles briefly upriver before the valley opens to wide marshy flats. Continuing through clearings and mature bush, the track bypasses Lake Colenso on the southern side. It is well worthwhile taking the signposted 100m side-track down to the lake, which is a unique gem rich in birdlife and surrounded by mature bush and limestone bluffs.

Shortly after the lake the track emerges onto the banks on the Mangatera where Colenso Hut sits on a low terrace overlooking the scrubby riverbed.

From the signposted track junction, the track to Unknown Campsite climbs steeply south up a narrow spur. This spur is steep, potentially slippery after rain, and has several exposed sections. Requires hands-on tramping, but plenty of good handholds.

Once on the top, things improve. Several breaks in the vegetation allow for views of the Colenso basin as a reward before swinging SW for a steady descent towards Unknown. A couple of large downed trees must be clambered around before the final descent into the stream. The track is steep and potentially slipper and hits the river 600m upstream of the campsite, following the northern bank down to the campsite. Windfall was present within the creek bed as well. The creek must be crossed to reach Unknown Campsite, but is small and should be ok in most conditions.

Quite a lot of windfall was present (2018), but most negotiable and semi-cleared were possible by hand and saw.

The large clearing at Unknown has infilled with scrub, but good campsites still exist on the river bank.

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Crossing the creek at Unknown Campsite (small, ankle deep, only likely to pose problems in extreme conditions), the track follows the northern bank upriver. After 600m it climbs the face to the north, a steady climb passing several sculpted rock outcrops similar to those on Potae. The ridge, once reached is narrow. It drops steeply north into the Mangatera and has several steep, exposed scrambles on soil prone to be slippery after rain. Not for the faint hearted.

The track junction with the Colenso-Iron Bark track is signposted.

A cut / marked track climbs south to Puketaramea from Unknown Campsite. This is a gradual ascent for the most part, through a sub story of knee-to-waist deep fern and is susceptible to quickly becoming overgrown after cutting. 2018 - Track has been recently cut and was easy to traverse. Some windfall present, but cleared some smaller bits by hand and saw.

The track does not climb to Puketaramea, but sidles the eastern face to reach a signposted track junction 100m east of the highpoint

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A cut / marked track drops north from Puketaramea to Unknown Campsite. This is a gradual descent for the most part, through a substory of knee-to-waist deep fern and is susceptible to quickly becoming overgrown after cutting. The former clearing at Unknown has filled in with scrub, but good campspots exists right by the river.

From the track junction 100m west of Puketaramea, follow the marked track ESE along the ridgeline, initially the track drops sharply, then climbs east over pt1293. The track swings south again before descending rapidly passing near a slip edge to until it meets the river south of Maropea Forks Hut. The hut is on the opposite bank - ankle-knee deep and an easy crossing in normal flows. Large catchment - could flood

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Cross the Maropea River at the hut (ankle-knee deep and an easy crossing in normal flows. Large catchment - could flood). Pick up the marked, signposted track opposite climbing north. A steady climb to the ridgline, then an undulating kilometer WNW towards Puketaramea highpoint. Track is on border of clear tops, and suffered from tall grasses and windfall (2009). A signposted track junction is reached 100m before Puketaramea highpoint with tracks north to Unknown Campsite / Colenso Hut, and west to Otukota / Iron Bark huts.

Travel downstream from the hut, then head up the left Maropea Fork as though going to Wakelings. Travel up the river, mostly pretty straightforward easy travel - not slippery, and plenty of shingle. Most crossings were only ankle deep in low flows if you stick the shallows, although plenty of deeper pools exist. After about 5.5km, the first main fork is reached - take the true right one (left fork if you're traveling upstream).

A bit further on one large rocky section must be negotiated where a slip has forced large boulders into the riverbed. Thankfully this doesn't last long. Another fork is marked by a cairn and this time take the true left (right fork if you're traveling upstream). This section becomes extremely eroded and the wet rocks are slippery - try to stick to the flat shingle plains if possible, or stray right in the creek itself. The water disappeared under the shingle just below where the track climbs up the hill.

A waterfall upstream of the track is worth checking out before you climb up to Top Maropea. The track exists on the true left bank, marked by large orange triangle and a sign. The base is a bit of a scramble up an active slip, but as of Feb 2018 wasn't pretty straight forward to negotiate. The track up is through cutty grasses and scrub, which provides great handholds as it's a bit of a grunt. Once on top a nice track climbs fairly gently until just below Top Maropea Hut

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A cut, marked track climbs south from Top Maropea Hut. Reaching the bushedge it climbs to a highpoint where steep slips are visible to the south. This is the junction with the main range route heading south to Te Atuparapara. Following the poled track a further 500m east leads to Armstrong Saddle, where there is a small tarn, and a signposted track dropping SSW to Sunrise Hut.

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From Armstrong Saddle, follow the poled route west for 500m to another small highpont. Here the poled route swings north down a spur towards Top Maropea Hut. Soon entering scrubby bush, the track is well cut and well marked to the hut.

Severe ice/snow conditions may require ice-axe / crampons owing to the exposure to falls to the east.

A well travelled, poled route drops SSE from Armstrong Saddle towards Sunrise Hut, passing atop some spectacular sheer slips. It reaches the bushedge 100m before sunrise in a saddle, and then climbs slightly to reach the palatial Sunrise Hut, which is hidden from view on the eastern side of the spur.

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From behind Sunrise Hut, a marked track runs north up the spur, soon emerging onto rocky tops. A poled route continues the brief climb to Armstroung Saddle, passing some spectacular slips to the east. The saddle is the junction with the Ruahine main range route (not signposted) and has a small tarn for water.

Benched track

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Benched track

From the Waipawa Hut turnoff, the broad, platformed Sunrise Track sidles the northern face of pt952 before dropping to the flats below in a series of graded zigzags. The gradient is gentle, and the track is broad, good and well used.

100m after crossing a small stream, an old 4WD track is reached, and a signposted track junction points to Triplex Hut, 100m to the north off the main Sunrise Track.

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From the track junction 100m south of Triplex Hut, a good, popular benched track climbs the spur towards Sunrise Hut on an easy gradient. The broad track zigzags its way up the face on a steady gradient through mature bush., later sidling the northern face After 2.5km (1.5km from Triplex due to all the zigzags) a signposted track junction is reached, with the benched, broad Sunrise Track continuing up the spur, and a more basic tramping track dropping south-west towards Waipawa Forks Hut.

From Triplex Hut, head south to join the Sunrise Track 100m away, and follow the 4WD track out to the poark boundary. 200m of poled track across farmland follows to the Sunrise Carpark, with dogs strictly banned.

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From the Sunrise carpark, a poled 4WD track (walking only allowed) crosses farmland for 200m to the park boundary. Dogs are not permitted (they can head up the Waipawa river instead though, with appropriate DOC permits), and fierce signs ban just about everything else too.

On reaching the park boundary, barren poor grazing land is replaced by lush bush, and the 4WD track continues a further 200m to a signposted track junction. Triplex Hut lies 100m to the north down the 4WD track.

From the Sunrise carpark, a poled 4WD track (walking only allowed) crosses farmland for 200m to the park boundary. Dogs are not permitted (they can head up the Waipawa river instead though, with appropriate DOC permits), and fierce signs ban just about everything else too.

On reaching the park boundary, barren poor grazing land is replaced by lush bush, and the 4WD track continues a further 200m to a signposted track junction. Triplex Hut lies 100m to the north down the 4WD track.

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From Triplex Hut, head south to join the Sunrise Track 100m away, and follow the 4WD track out to the poark boundary. 200m of poled track across farmland follows to the Sunrise Carpark, with dogs strictly banned.

From the track junction 100m south of Triplex Hut, a good, popular benched track climbs the spur towards Sunrise Hut on an easy gradient. The broad track zigzags its way up the face on a steady gradient through mature bush., later sidling the northern face After 2.5km (1.5km from Triplex due to all the zigzags) a signposted track junction is reached, with the benched, broad Sunrise Track continuing up the spur, and a more basic tramping track dropping south-west towards Waipawa Forks Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Waipawa Hut turnoff, the broad, platformed Sunrise Track sidles the northern face of pt952 before dropping to the flats below in a series of graded zigzags. The gradient is gentle, and the track is broad, good and well used.

100m after crossing a small stream, an old 4WD track is reached, and a signposted track junction points to Triplex Hut, 100m to the north off the main Sunrise Track.

From the signposted track junction on the Sunrise track, a good cut, marked tramping track drops south off the ridge and sidles gradually down the face west. This cuts into a sidecreek and then continues to sidle through good mature bush down to the Waipawa Valley floor.

Waipawa Forks Hut is on a terrace 40m above the river on the south bank. The river is ankle-to-knee deep in normal flows, but can flood after rain. A track to the hut starts 100m upriver (**my notes say downriver, but the map shows upriver - please check and correct this routeguide). The track is marked with DOC triangles.

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If ice is on the pass you will require crampons, especially if you continue down the western side.

From Waipawa Forks Hut, drop back to the river and head upstream on the flat, shingle riverbed. Going is flat and easy for the first kilometer, though ideally a few river crossings are made (ankle-knee deep in normal conditions, can flood after rain). After 1km the gradient of the riverbed increases and it becomes increasingly rocky. But it is still a good route with no real bouler climbing required.

About 800m before the saddle a forks is reached and DOC triangles mark the start of a steep scramble up the spur in between the main creek (south) and a side creek (north). This is steep going through beech and scrub for a bit, but after a few hundred meters you emerge onto tussock faces, and sidle them, climbing, to the pass. The route is poled and there is a good ground trail above the bushline.

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From the saddle follow the poled route ENE into the head of the Waipawa valley, dropping then sidling onto the north faces. The track cuts ionto a spur dropping from the east, and drops to the bushedge. Here a rough cut track starts, marked with triangles but steep, scrubby and a real hands-and-feet scramble in places. The track drops to the riverbed at the forks 800m from the saddle.

From here you follow the riverbed down. The first kilometer is steep over large rocks, but reasonable, open travel down the small streambed. For the last kilometer to Waipawa Forks Hut a broad shingle valley opens and it is easy walking down shingle flats, though with a few creek crossings required. The creek at this stage is ankle-to-knee deep, but can flood after rain.

Triangles on the southern bank mark the start of the track climbing to Waipawa forks hut. The track north onto the Sunrise ridge is 100m or so further up river and also marked by triangles.

A good poled route descends west from Waipawa Saddle to Waikamaka Hut.

Follow the warratahs west off the saddle, following a steep, narrow spur between two tributaries of the stream. There are some narrow, nervous scrambles at one point, after which you cross the southern fork of the creek atop a waterfall, and descend a tussock face to the river.

From here you are left to follow the small stream downriver to the forks at Waikamaka Hut. The stream is small and poses no risk in normal conditions. In flood conditions you may be able to sidle the southern bank, though it would be tough and scrubby.

A signpost, 10m before the confluence, marks the track ascending 20m to Waikamaka Hut on the southern bank. An old run-down biv is also located on the northern bank.

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From Wakiamaka Hut, ascend the riverbed to the 3rd fork shown on maps. Here look out for the start of a warratah-marked track climbing the southern face. This climbs above a waterfall, crosses to a narrow spur between two forks of the creek, and follows it up to the saddle. Some parts of the climb are scrambles on the narrow spur.

From Waikamaka Hut, head up the creek to the south towards Rangi Saddle. This starts as a riverbed route, but a cut, marked track later appears, crossing the creek a few times until it reaches the bushedge. From here there are no (useful) markers, follow good ground trails up the creek, often sidling low on the western bank, but avoiding climbing more than 15m above the creek. 150m NE of Rangi Saddle the creek forks, and a steep, speargrass-covered face climbs to the saddle itself. Warratahs mark a route, but do not coincide very well with the faint ground trail. Riven the thick speargrass, follow the ground trail, if you can find it. Hard - painful going to the saddle.

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From Rangi Saddle a fain ground trail drops down the guts of the face to the NE, through thick speargrass. Warratahs confuse, more than help. Once at the forks in the head of the creek, follow the creek down, initially on the wetsern bank some 15m out of the river, later crossing to the east. A cut, marked track finally appears when you hit the bushedge, and criss-crosses the creek for a few hunderd meters before depositing you on the gravel rivcerbed. Follow this to the forks at teh hut.

Waikamaka Hut is reached by a short track some 20m up the eastern fork, signposted on the southern bank.

From Rangi Saddle, a poled / marked route descends WSW towards Rangi Creek, becoming better defined as you descend. Once in the beech this si a marked, though rarely cut track.

Reaching Rangi Creek, head downriver in the gravel riverbed, crossing as required (small stream, ok in most conditions, but could flood in extreme rain). On reaching the main Kawhatau River, turn south up broad flats. The best travel is on the western bank. Waterfall Hut is hidden in the bosh on the eastern bank. A DOC triangle marks the start of the track to the hut.

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From Waterfall Hut, head downriver - the easiest travel being on the western bank. Head east up the broad, flat bed of Rangi Creek for about 1km to the small gully which drains Rangi Saddle. A DOC triangle marks the start of a rough, steep track climbing to the saddle.

This is the classic route from Hikurangi Range to Waterfall Hut. From many angles the head of Pinnacle Creek often looks eroded and dodgy, however there's a nice line right through the middle, that is straightforward so long as you locate the correct entrance. Coming up just follow the main watercourse.

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There is a green DoC sign on the ridgeline that says Waterall Hut 1.5hours. Locate this before descending directly.
As of Jan 2020 - descend directly from sign. Small amount of scree on both sides once you get down a bit - both good to use. Once the water course starts forming, keep to TR, where there is ground trail through low vegetation. Stay on TR, taking care to cross rocky slide, before dropping steeply to where stream enters on TR. From then walk in stream bed, with some sidles on TL around steeper drops in the watercourse. Creek joins the Kawhatau just upstream of the hut - indicated by large cairn in the riverbed and orange triangle up the bank on TR.

No description

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From Ohuinga, head NW along wide open tussock tops for approx 500m before turning NNW to maintain the ridgeline as it narrows up. From here it is a matter of staying as close as possible to the top of the ridge - there are side trails which lead down to pt1204 and many other side spurs which require careful navigation in clag. There are a couple of little scrambles through and around rocks before the Pourangaki track junction, but are relatively straightforward to negotiate.

A hard, exposed route in winter. Not for beginners.

Sawtooth Ridge is a narrow ridge with two rocky outcrops spaced evenly along it - hence the name. It is no better or worse than surrounding ridges in the Ruahines, but from its name has gained a daunting reputation. It is a tramping route in summer, with a few scrambles but no technical climbing. In winter it is a serious proposition. There is no marked track over the ridge, but a well-used ground trail is clearly visible, and this should be within the capabilities of most trampers who have tops route-finding ability and don't mind a scramble or two.

A broad rocky ridge runs south from Ohuinga, dropping steeply after 300m to the saddle at the lowpoint of 1400m, passing two rocky outcrops by sidling below them

Continuing south from the saddle, the two main rock outcrops (the teeth of the saw) are only partially climbed - good, well used ground trails cut across the steep faces of each avoiding the rocky bits of the outcrops. If you find yourself climbing on exposed rock, you're in the wrong place, and there is probably a sidle trail nearby. (My notes fail to record which side of each tooth I sidled.)

Climb / sidle the remaining smaller 'teeth', the ridge rising gradually so that by the far end of the sawtooth you're only 100m below the summit of Tiraha. A short climb follows up tussock and scree chutes to the summit.

Tiraha Summit is not marked. It is the junction of routes along the Sawtooth Ridge, the ridge east then south to Howletts, and a tough route starting SW to Te Hekenga and thence the western Ruahines.

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From Tiraha highpoint the unmarked route to Howletts heads SSE along the high spur, passing the start of the Daphne Ridge towards Howletts. A cairn marks the spot where the route drops east of the spur into a basin, then cuts back NE across the tussock face to regain Daphne Spur. This dogsleg avoids a steep, slippery descent of the eastern face of Tiraha.

Once on Daphne Ridge the route is obvious. A good ground trail runs east down the ridge, swinging south towards Howletts. The first 2km are on tussock and shingle, occasionally sidling high on the western face to avoid climbing unnecessarily to intermediate knobs. 300m before Howletts the track enters stunted beech and a marked, cut track runs the remaining distance to the hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Howletts Hut, follow the cut, marked track north through the 300m-or-so of stunted bush to emerge onto rock and tussock tops. The route has a clear ground trail, but is not marked from here north. It mostly follows the ridgeline, sometimes sidling the eastern face as it runs north. Swinging west it follows the main spur climbing towards Tiraha until about 1580m. here the route cuts briefly south across the face and climbs a tussock basin to reach the top some 200m SE of the summit. This avoid a steep, tough climb at the top end of Daphne Ridge.

Tiraha Summit is not marked, but is the start of the Sawtooth Ridge route to the north, and a rough, exposed route WSW to Te Hekenga and beyond.

From Howletts Hut, follow the cut, marked track north through the 300m-or-so of stunted bush to emerge onto rock and tussock tops. The route has a clear ground trail, but is not marked from here north. It mostly follows the ridgeline, sometimes sidling the eastern face as it runs north. Swinging west it follows the main spur climbing towards Tiraha until about 1580m. here the route cuts briefly south across the face and climbs a tussock basin to reach the top some 200m SE of the summit. This avoid a steep, tough climb at the top end of Daphne Ridge.

Tiraha Summit is not marked, but is the start of the Sawtooth Ridge route to the north, and a rough, exposed route WSW to Te Hekenga and beyond.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Tiraha highpoint the unmarked route to Howletts heads SSE along the high spur, passing the start of the Daphne Ridge towards Howletts. A cairn marks the spot where the route drops east of the spur into a basin, then cuts back NE across the tussock face to regain Daphne Spur. This dogsleg avoids a steep, slippery descent of the eastern face of Tiraha.

Once on Daphne Ridge the route is obvious. A good ground trail runs east down the ridge, swinging south towards Howletts. The first 2km are on tussock and shingle, occasionally sidling high on the western face to avoid climbing unnecessarily to intermediate knobs. 300m before Howletts the track enters stunted beech and a marked, cut track runs the remaining distance to the hut.

From Howletts, follow the ridgeline SW passing the turnoff to Daphne after 50m. The route is not poled or cut. The ridgeline is scrubby, but the track fairly well defined as far as Taumatataua. Prior to reaching the next highpont (pt`1431) the route swings SE off the ridge, dropping 200m to the saddle, then climbing a similar distance up the far side to the next ridgeline. This section is thick with low leatherleaf and can be a bit of a scrub-bash.

A signpost located where the track hits the ridgeline (400m west of pt1271) marks the track junction with the track dropping NE to Daphne.

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From the Daphne track junction, drop west on a route to the saddle at the head of the Tukituki. This 200m descent and ascent is thick with tall tussock / low leatherleaf and can be a bit of a scrub bash.

Once on the next ridge west the poled route runs along the ridgeline NE to Howletts Hut. The leatherleaf is still present, though sparser than at the saddle. The route is not cut, but a good ground trail exists. A signposted track junction 50m before Howletts marks the top of the northernmost of the three tracks down to Daphne.

From the Daphne track junction, head south along the unmarked, broad tussock ridge climbing steadily, past the pyramidical pt1452 and then on to Otumore highpoint. Warratahs starting around this point lead to a signpost at the junction of the Longview track and the route SW down Ngamoko range - 200m south of Otumore highpoint on the eastern escarpment.

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From the track junction at Otumore, head north over the broad peak, and swing briefly NW, continuing up the main range. In poor conditions it is easy to take the wrong ridge here without a compass.

Dropping north, the ridge has no track markers. Follow it down over pt1452 and another unnamed highpoint until level with the low saddle at the head of the catchment to your west. A signpost here marks the junction of the route west over the saddle to Howletts and the track east down to Daphne Hut.

From the signposted junction 200m south of Otumore, the poled track east to Longview drops steeply off the range towards the Pohongina saddle. The track is well trodden and well marked with warratahs - but note that this section of the range is subject to severe winds.

Crossing the saddle the track climbs slightly and swings south to skirt west of pt1232. The unmarked route NNE to the Tukituki/Daphne starts at this corner. 100m later a signpost is reached marking the junction of the track up from Kashmir Rd with the main range track. 100m south again, a further signpost marks the turnoff to Longview Hut, 50m east off the ridge.

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From Longview hut, return to the ridgeline track above the hut, and follow the track north, passing turnoffs to Kashmir Rd (signposted) and Tukituki/Daphne (unmarked). The track swings west, skirting pt1232 and drops to the Pohongina saddle. Beyond this it climbs steadily to reach the crest of the high range beyond. A signposted junction is on the crest, 200m south of Otumore highpoint. The track is well trodden and well marked with warratahs - but note that this section of the range is subject to severe winds.

From Longview hut, return to the ridgeline track above the hut, and follow the track north, passing turnoffs to Kashmir Rd (signposted) and Tukituki/Daphne (unmarked). The track swings west, skirting pt1232 and drops to the Pohongina saddle. Beyond this it climbs steadily to reach the crest of the high range beyond. A signposted junction is on the crest, 200m south of Otumore highpoint. The track is well trodden and well marked with warratahs - but note that this section of the range is subject to severe winds.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted junction 200m south of Otumore, the poled track east to Longview drops steeply off the range towards the Pohongina saddle. The track is well trodden and well marked with warratahs - but note that this section of the range is subject to severe winds.

Crossing the saddle the track climbs slightly and swings south to skirt west of pt1232. The unmarked route NNE to the Tukituki/Daphne starts at this corner. 100m later a signpost is reached marking the junction of the track up from Kashmir Rd with the main range track. 100m south again, a further signpost marks the turnoff to Longview Hut, 50m east off the ridge.

An easy walk across featureless tussock tops heads SW from the Longview turnoff to pt1519, before swinging due west to the next unnamed highpoint where the ridgeline swings SSW. (From here a spur drops NW towards Iron Gates Hut)

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From the Iron Gates turnoff, the Ngamoko Range ridgeline swings due east for 1km, before heading back NE and narrowing. 500m beyond a signpost on the eastern escarpment marks the start of the track descending to Longview Hut.

Continuing SSW across the undulating Ngamoko Tops for a further 1.5km takes you to pt1505, where a sign marks the start of a track dropping SE to Top Gorge Hut.

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From the signposted Top Gorge Hut track junction, the tussock-clad Ngamoko Range runs NNE for 1.5km to reach an unnamed highpoint at which the range swings due east. (From here a spur dropping NNW leads to Iron Gates Hut.)

Heading SW along Ngamoko Range from the Iron Gates turnoff, the ridgeline narrows, becoming better defined but also more undulating. Several ups and downs follow including two steep 100m climbs to reach the conical Tunupo highpoint. This is the top of a poled route/track leading west to Alice Nash Heritage Merorial Lodge.

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From Tunupo Highpoint the Ngamoko Range drops NE in two steep steps, descending 200m before climbing gently over the next 1.5km to reach pt1505. Here a signpost marks the track dropping SE to Top Gorge Hut.

South of Tunupo the Ngamoko Range is steep and narrow. The descent of the peak is steep and can be tricky in snow / after rain. The route is unmarked by clear and well traveled through tussock and gravel. On the third minor peak, a signpost points east down a faint spur towards Toka Biv.

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Heading north from the Toka Biv turnoff the routre continues on tussock and gravel tops. Crossing 2 minor peaks, the ridgeline is narrow and can be dodgy in slippery conditions. A steep 120m climb takes you up to the summit of the third peak, Tunupo, from where a poled route / track drops NW to Alice Nash Heritage Memorial Lodge.

The hut is 200 vertical meters down from the Ngamoko ridgeline on the eastern side. A steep descent down a fragmented spur. The turnoff is marked with a cairn - and occasional cairns mark the route down - easy to get the wrong spur in the fog. The biv is tucked at the back of a basin off the north side of the spur behind some shallow marshy tarns.

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Climb directly behind the biv up to the main Ngamoko Range ridgeline. The route is marked with occasional cairns, and the junction on the top also has a cairn.

Climb directly behind the biv up to the main Ngamoko Range ridgeline. The route is marked with occasional cairns, and the junction on the top also has a cairn.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The hut is 200 vertical meters down from the Ngamoko ridgeline on the eastern side. A steep descent down a fragmented spur. The turnoff is marked with a cairn - and occasional cairns mark the route down - easy to get the wrong spur in the fog. The biv is tucked at the back of a basin off the north side of the spur behind some shallow marshy tarns.

The unmarked route continues SW from the Toka Biv turnoff for a further 1km to Toka highpoint where it meets the marked Knights Track. A marked track drops east to Leon Kinvig Hut and, 100m beyond, a 2nd track junction has the Knights Track dropping west to Limestone Road.

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Following the Ngamoko Range north from Toka highpoint, the route is no longer cut or marked, but is well trodden and simple to follow. It drops 60m to cross a saddle before climbing steadily to the next summit where a signpost marks the junction with a route dropping east to Toka Biv.

From Toka highpoint a poled route follows the Ngamoko Range SSW for 1.5km to reach pt1380. Here the poled route swings west to become Shorts Track, dropping to Limestone Road in the lowlands to the west, The point where the Ngamoko Range route leaves the track and continues South along the range is not marked but is obvious in clear visibility. In poor conditions, you need to start heading south off the track about 50m after it swings due west. A reasonable ground trail is present at first.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From pt1380 a poled route follows the Ngamoko Range NE for 1.5km to reach Toka Highpoint. This is the junction with Knights Track to Limestone Rd (west). A 2nd junction lies 100m east with a poled route dropping east to Leon Kinvig Hut, and an unmaked route continuing NE along the Ngamoko Range.

Leaving the poled track at pt1380, the Ngamoko Range route heads generally south along the summit of the range. A faint ground trail is present at first through tussock, but soon fades. Leatherleaf soon appears - low and sparse and avoidable until the climb to Whaingapuna - where it becomes thick and knee deep.

The ridgeline swings briefly ESE at Whaingapuna before resuming its SW direction 100m later - tricky to spot the 2nd turn in poor visibility. Conditions are now scrubby through continuous leatherleaf - rising to waist high by the next saddle south. The climb to pt1350 is a scrubbash - things are best on the western face, but you still need to regain the ridgline for the track junction on the summit.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From pt1350 the Ngamoko ridgeline heading NE is scrubby with waist deep leatherleaf. Travel is best on the western side to the saddle, then picking your route up the next climb on the ridgeline. Swinging WNW then NE again over Whaingapuna, the scrub becomes lower and sparser, and by the next saddle north is no longer an impediment. The last 1.5km to pt1380 are through tussock, and a faint ground trail appears making travel easier. At pt1380 you hit the poled Shorts Track climbing from Limestone Rd to the east and continuing north along the Ngamoko Range.

From the warratahs at the track junction, a poled route drops ESE through the scrub. Once into the tall stuff, the track is cut and marked and continues good all the way to the river at Ngamoko Hut.

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A marked, cut, signposted track climbs behind Ngamoko hut to the Ngamoko Range. Through the bush the track is good but steep. Once into the scrub it remains cut and poled until just east of pt1350. The track junction east of the summit is marked with 3 warratahs amidst the leatheleaf.

Cold and icy in winter. Only a proposition for the tough!

Straightforward 2 hour walk in low flows - which allows for plenty of sidling and fewer crossings than the upstream sections. Climb around several deep pools on the true left over large boulders. Would be difficult to negotiate some of the deeper/ fast flowing rapids in higher river levels. Riverbank and some shingle sections in the river make for nice walking. Mid Pohangina hut sits on a flat above the river on the true left bank opposite the pool with the waterfall.

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Riverbed route between Mid Pohongina and Ngamoko. Generally reasonable going on rounded river rocks and tussock/flax banks. Frequent knee-thigh deep crossings - a few deeper, especially at Mid-Poh end - waist deep in normal flows. Bit of a scramble round pools about half-way. Ngamoko Hut reached from north side of the bend it sits on. Both hut accesses marked by triangles.

From the DOC sign behind Mid Pohangina Hut a steep marked track takes you directly to the top of the ridge and drops equally as rapidly into Cattle Creek. Care is required, but plenty of vegetation to hang onto. From here it nearly 4km upstream in a mostly clear, but slippery creek bed. Some sidling can be done, but for most part water levels are low and banks covered in toi toi.

After 2.4km a chain is seen on the true left to offer bypass of a waterfall (difficult to see if travelling downstream), but if flows are low, it's just as easy to stay in the creek and climb up the side.

Around 3km there is another waterfall which is a bit trickier to negotiate without getting very wet. A steep bypass is on true left. From there the valley begins to open out and the banks are much flatter and wider making for faster walking. The bright orange of Cattle Creek Hut can be seen high on the true left, accessed by a short steep track.

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A marked track heads directly off the porch at Cattle Creek and down the hill, crossing the stream. From there a relatively steep 15 min climb ensues to the top of the ridge. Turn south and head along the ridge which is fairly straight forward. A sharp 90deg turn is signposted, at which point the track drops sharply, then eases off until the creek is reached. Follow the creek downstream through overgrown patches of buddleia - sometimes you can walk on the bank, but mostly in the slippery stream bed. Sporadic cairns are present A Stanfield Hut is on the true right before the seemingly impenetrable mass of willows in the stream.

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Leaving the hut, the route enters the river where some bush bashing around willows etc is required. Follow the river downstream for approximately 600m until the exit for Holmes ridge track is denoted by triangles on the true left. Exit the river here, or carry on downstream via river route. The river is cold and somewhat slippery with hanging overgrowth in places. Also prone to flood after steady rain. Further downstream on true right markers can be seen for the unmaintained track which runs up to Takapari ridge (near pt 1170). Fairly easy climb onto Holmes Ridge (a nice wide grassed track along the top). Be sure to exit on the right before the road drops steeply to the east. From here a short steep drop leads to a final swift river crossing into the campsite area.

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