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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No description

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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No description

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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No description

From Dianes Hut the track drops 40m to the Koau River. There are no markers, but the route is downriver in the riverbed for some 300m. Finally a DOC triangle appears on the southern bank, marking the start of the track up to No Mans Road.

The track starts steep and ill-defined - a steep scramble up a crumbling face. Later it becomes a defined but steep spur, the track now obvious, which becomes gentler as you climb into moss-covered beech forest.

The track meets No Mans Road just where you run out of up.

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No description

Heading NNE from the Dead Dog turnoff, No Mans Road continues to meander along the beech ridgeline for a further 2.5km before reaching a signposted track on the left, leading to Dianes Hut.

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From the Dianes Hut turnoff, No Mans Road continues to meander along the beech ridgeline for a further 2.5km before reaching a signposted track on the left, dropping east to Dead Dog Hut.

Heading north from the top of Herricks Spur, the route is well marked with Warratahs, though sometimes lacking much of a ground trail through the tussock. With visibility down to 50m the frequent warratahs were a great aid, and only a handful of times did I need to rely on the compass.

The ridgeline narrows again north of pt1348 and the track becomes clear as it reaches the top end of the rough No Mans Road. No Mans Hut is 300m NNE down the 4WD track.

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From No Mans Hut, head the last 300m up the 4wd track to the rideline, where a signpost marks the start of the track south along the main range. The route is uncut but marked with warratahs across tussock tops. The ridge soon widens and becomes featureless, but even in poor visibility the next pole was usually in sight.

As the ridge narrows again 600m SSE of Ohawai, an A3 signpost on the left marks the start of the old, unmaintained tracks east to Herricks and Dead Dog via Herricks Spur. Strangely the signpost says 'Farmland'.

Heading north from the top of Herricks Spur, the route is well marked with Warratahs, though sometimes lacking much of a ground trail through the tussock. With visibility down to 50m the frequent warratahs were a great aid, and only a handful of times did I need to rely on the compass.

The ridgeline narrows again north of pt1348 and the track becomes clear as it reaches the top end of the rough No Mans Road. No Mans Hut is 300m NNE down the 4WD track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From No Mans Hut, head the last 300m up the 4wd track to the rideline, where a signpost marks the start of the track south along the main range. The route is uncut but marked with warratahs across tussock tops. The ridge soon widens and becomes featureless, but even in poor visibility the next pole was usually in sight.

As the ridge narrows again 600m SSE of Ohawai, an A3 signpost on the left marks the start of the old, unmaintained tracks east to Herricks and Dead Dog via Herricks Spur. Strangely the signpost says 'Farmland'.

The track south along the main range from the top of Herricks Spur is poled, but often lacking any form of ground trail. In places it runs along the western face on the top of gravel slips, but more often it crosses tall tussock/low scrub tops - stumbling and staggering.

After 1km the track starts to climb SW and enters beech forest. From here things improve. A well cut, well marked track follows the ridgeline SE then south over a series of peaks and saddles.

The turnoff to Sentry Box hut via Golden Crown is obvious and marked with a signpost.

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No description

From Golden Crown, the main range track heads south-west along the mainly flat Ruahine ridgeline - a well cut/marked track through beech forest. Crossing the head of a creek draining north, it swings west and enters marshy tussock tops, becoming a poled route. The signposted track junction for the main range (west) and Parks Peak (south) is reached soon after.

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No description

Follow the well marked, cut track south along the ridge, rising and falling through mature bush to the Sentry Box turn off (marked with a signpost).

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Follow the well marked, cut track north along the ridge, rising and falling through mature bush to emerge onto marshy tussock clearings at the Aranga / No Mans junction (signposted)

A good track follows the ridgeline from the track junction to Parks Peak hut, climbing a couple of small peaks, threatening to break out above the bush but never quite doing so. Parks Peak hut sits in a large clearing on the eastern side of the ridge, looking over Hawkes Bay.

Note: changed the estimated time from 30 hours to 1 hour (estimated 2km/hr)

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A good track follows the ridgeline from the track junction north from Parks Peak hut, climbing a couple of small peaks, threatening to break out above the bush but never quite doing so. The signposted junction (right) to Sentry Box Hut is reached after 1.8km.

A broad, well-cut, well-marked tramping track runs south from Parks Peak hut, dropping to meet Yeomans Track 1km from the park boundary.

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A broad, well-cut, well-marked tramping track climbs NE onto Parks ridge from the signposted junction on Yeomans Track. The track then runs north along the ridgeline in stunted bush - views across to the main range, but sheltered from the worst of the weather by the vegetation. A signposted track junction points west to Upper Makaroro Hut, and 200m later Parks Peak Hut lies in a clearing to the east of the track.

From the base of Parks Track, the old logging tramway that forms Yeomans Track continues south 1km to hit forestry tracks at the park boundary.

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From the signposted track junction on the corner of Makaroro Rd, Yeomans Track heads north following an old logging tramway. Creeks are bridged and going is easy. Mountain bikes use this track.

After 1km a signpost marks the start of the Parks Peak track climbing NE.

From the signposted track junction at Makaroro Rd / Yeomans Track, head west along Makaroro road until the road ends. Running straight ahead from the end of the road is a cut but unmarked track, This heads to the upriver end of terraces and then zigzags down to the river at the Gold Creek / Makaroro River confluence.

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Opposite the outflow of Gold Creek, a track starts on the northern bank marked by a triangle. This zigzags up onto the terrace on the northern bank and then runs to join the end of Makararo Road. The track is not marked but is obvious. A 2km walk along the forestry road follows, past the former Craig Hut site (now removed) to the junction with Yeomans Track on the park boundary.

Ice axe may be handy is snow level below 1200m for the final exposed section.

A good cut marked track drops from Sparrowhawk Biv to the Makaroro / Gold Creek confluence. The initial section below the hut is steep and traverses the tops of steep slips - care is required. Below that the gradient become more pleasant and this is an easy walk.

A river crossing is required if heading downriver. The river is knee to thigh deep in normal flows, and an easy flat crossing - but can easily flood.

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A triangle at the base of the spur between Gold Creek and the Makaroro marks the start of the Sparrowhawk track. A river crossing is required if coming from the Wakarara roadend. The river is knee to thigh deep in normal flows, and an easy flat crossing - but can easily flood.

The track is cut and marked and a good tramping track through mature bush. The final section to the hut is steep and traverses the tops of steep slips - care is required.

South from Sparrowhawk the main Ruahine ridge becomes scrubby. The climb to Maropea is ok, but Maropea summit is dominated by speargrass and best bypassed to the west. The saddle south between Maropea and pt1476 is scrubby and tough on the legs, but 'ok.'. The next saddle south however, is covered with thick scrub and densely packed bush and is a real bushbash (2014). It is hgard, painful going and 'find-your-own-way' until you get clear of it climbing to pt1499. I sidled the west, then crossed to the east, but the route was hardly recommendable.

Once on to pt1499, things improve, and it is an easy climb over the peak and down to Armstrong Saddle, where the track crossing from Sunrise to Top Maropea is obvious. A small tarn at the saddle provides water if you need it.

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2018 - Took longer than previously indicated 2 hours (allow 3). Follow the ridge from Armstrong Saddle north along the range - for the first part mostly along the top of the ridge. An intermittent, but clear ground trail can be found. At 1476, make sure you veer slightly to the eastern side to stay on the main ridge. Travel through this section is mostly easy tussock travel.

Climbing up to Maropea, the route passes over and around some rock formations, then through a patch of leatherwood. Vegetation is quite dense in places, but a very well marked (tape) and mostly clear passage with a good ground trail is roughly cut along the eastern side. Completed some further cutting to make it easier.

From here it is an easy tussock walk to the junction to Sparrowhawk, which is marked with warratahs and a well cut track leads down to the biv.

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.

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 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 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.

A 1km gentle stroll along the dirt North Block Road connects the Sunrise Track to the Waipawa River roadend. The road is public, but adjacent land is private farmland.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A 1km gentle stroll along the dirt North Block Road connects the Sunrise Track to the Waipawa River roadend. The road is public, but adjacent land is private farmland.

A 1km gentle stroll along the dirt North Block Road connects the Sunrise Track to the Waipawa River roadend. The road is public, but adjacent land is private farmland.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A 1km gentle stroll along the dirt North Block Road connects the Sunrise Track to the Waipawa River roadend. The road is public, but adjacent land is private farmland.

From Smiths Stream Hut, head up the track behind the hut onto the spur, and then 50m or so up the spur to the track junction. A rough track has been cut north around the head of a slip dropping into the northern branch of Smiths Stream 100m upriver.

Follow the stream upriver, in the riverbed, or on banks where possible. The stream is small - ankle-to-knee deep and less than 3m wide, and should be ok in most conditions - but as with all rivers it can flood after rain.

After about 1km the forks shown on the map are reached. Continue up the northern fork - the valley becoming narrower and steeper and windfall becoming an issue. About 200m beyond, as the valley swings NW, several small DOC triangles on the northern bank mark the start of the track.

The track climbs steeply to the ridge to the north, but is well marked and cut and reasonable going. Once there it swings east round the head of the creek to the north, sidling north of pt1104, before rejoining the ridgeline and dropping north with it. About 1km after leaving the creek, the track enters large clearings with manuka scrub. A sparsely poled route (cut in 2014) continues north through these before reentering the bush and zigzagging steeply down into Middle Creek.

Middle Creek must be crossed, but is small (knee deep and under 4m wide) in normal flows.

On the north side, the track sidles briefly downstream before climbing steeply onto flats above. This is ex-farmland, regenerating into low scrub. The intermittently marked track cuts west to what appears to be an old track junction, then climbs north over the next spur before dropping into the next branch of Middle Creek. This fork is small (under 2m wide) and can normally be crossed with dry feet.

From here you soon join an old farm track, which you follow onto the flat tops to the NE. The farm track swings east into farmland, and a tramping track continues straight on running up the park-side of the deer fencing and dropping to the Waipawa River. The Waipawa Carpark is over the river, 200m up the track on the far side. The river is bridged.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Waipawa roadend, drop to the river, and cross it on the road-bridge. Follow the road as it cuts SE up the far valleyside for 50m to where a more basic 4WD track cuts west through a gate. This is the start of the Smiths Stream Track.

Follow the 4WD track up the park-side of the deer fencing onto the flat tops to the south, joining another track from the east, then dropping into the northern fork of Middle Stream - where the 4WD track ends and a cut, marked tramping track commences. The north fork of Middle Stream is small (under 2m wide) and can normally be crossed with dry feet.

Over the stream the tramping track continues over the next spur, and drops towards the southern fork of Middle Stream. On the terrace 20m above the creek, an old track junction is reached. Head briefly downstream on the terraces and pick up the cut track again as it drops to the stream.

Middle Creek must be crossed, but is small (knee deep and under 4m wide) in normal flows.

Beyond, the cut, marked track zigzags its way up the steep, scrubby face to the south, emerging into clearings on the ridge. A vaguely poled route (cut 2014) heads south through these clearings, climbing onto the crest of the spur as it heads further south. Once in the bush a good marked tramping track begins again, sidling the face north of pt114 and swinging west to the saddle above Smiths Stream. At the saddle, the track cuts sharply south off the ridge to the stream below (an old ground-trail continues straight ahead, once leading to the former Middle Creek Hut)

Once in the creek, head downriver for 1km. 200m before the forks, look out of a roughly cut track on the true right, which climbs over a slip and onto the spur north of the hut, where it meets the track coming down from the main range to the west. Smiths Stream Hut is just below, following the track back down the south side of the spur.

(If you miss the sidle track, just head downriver to the forks, then west up the southern fork of Smiths Stream. You soon reach some grassy flats on the northern side of the stream, and nosing around there you will pick up the track climbing north to Smiths Stream Hut).

From Smiths Stream Hut, head up the track behind the hut onto the spur, and then 50m or so up the spur to the track junction. A rough track has been cut north around the head of a slip dropping into the northern branch of Smiths Stream 100m upriver.

Follow the stream upriver, in the riverbed, or on banks where possible. The stream is small - ankle-to-knee deep and less than 3m wide, and should be ok in most conditions - but as with all rivers it can flood after rain.

After about 1km the forks shown on the map are reached. Continue up the northern fork - the valley becoming narrower and steeper and windfall becoming an issue. About 200m beyond, as the valley swings NW, several small DOC triangles on the northern bank mark the start of the track.

The track climbs steeply to the ridge to the north, but is well marked and cut and reasonable going. Once there it swings east round the head of the creek to the north, sidling north of pt1104, before rejoining the ridgeline and dropping north with it. About 1km after leaving the creek, the track enters large clearings with manuka scrub. A sparsely poled route (cut in 2014) continues north through these before reentering the bush and zigzagging steeply down into Middle Creek.

Middle Creek must be crossed, but is small (knee deep and under 4m wide) in normal flows.

On the north side, the track sidles briefly downstream before climbing steeply onto flats above. This is ex-farmland, regenerating into low scrub. The intermittently marked track cuts west to what appears to be an old track junction, then climbs north over the next spur before dropping into the next branch of Middle Creek. This fork is small (under 2m wide) and can normally be crossed with dry feet.

From here you soon join an old farm track, which you follow onto the flat tops to the NE. The farm track swings east into farmland, and a tramping track continues straight on running up the park-side of the deer fencing and dropping to the Waipawa River. The Waipawa Carpark is over the river, 200m up the track on the far side. The river is bridged.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Waipawa roadend, drop to the river, and cross it on the road-bridge. Follow the road as it cuts SE up the far valleyside for 50m to where a more basic 4WD track cuts west through a gate. This is the start of the Smiths Stream Track.

Follow the 4WD track up the park-side of the deer fencing onto the flat tops to the south, joining another track from the east, then dropping into the northern fork of Middle Stream - where the 4WD track ends and a cut, marked tramping track commences. The north fork of Middle Stream is small (under 2m wide) and can normally be crossed with dry feet.

Over the stream the tramping track continues over the next spur, and drops towards the southern fork of Middle Stream. On the terrace 20m above the creek, an old track junction is reached. Head briefly downstream on the terraces and pick up the cut track again as it drops to the stream.

Middle Creek must be crossed, but is small (knee deep and under 4m wide) in normal flows.

Beyond, the cut, marked track zigzags its way up the steep, scrubby face to the south, emerging into clearings on the ridge. A vaguely poled route (cut 2014) heads south through these clearings, climbing onto the crest of the spur as it heads further south. Once in the bush a good marked tramping track begins again, sidling the face north of pt114 and swinging west to the saddle above Smiths Stream. At the saddle, the track cuts sharply south off the ridge to the stream below (an old ground-trail continues straight ahead, once leading to the former Middle Creek Hut)

Once in the creek, head downriver for 1km. 200m before the forks, look out of a roughly cut track on the true right, which climbs over a slip and onto the spur north of the hut, where it meets the track coming down from the main range to the west. Smiths Stream Hut is just below, following the track back down the south side of the spur.

(If you miss the sidle track, just head downriver to the forks, then west up the southern fork of Smiths Stream. You soon reach some grassy flats on the northern side of the stream, and nosing around there you will pick up the track climbing north to Smiths Stream Hut).

The route down from Hinerua to Smiths Stream is badly shown on maps, and is a route, not a track.

From Hinerua Hut, head west along the track towards the tops for 100m to a signposted track junction - the turnoff the Smiths Stream Hut. Here a track drops north, sidles round the top of a slip on the eastern valleyside, and then descends steeply to the stream on short grass / loose dirt of an old slip. By this time the track is a poorly marked route. Once in the stream, the route follows the stream down, with occasional marked detours round tricky sections. The route reaches Smiths Stream at the forks shown.

Smiths Stream is knee deep in normal flows, but would be difficult after rain. Steep valleysides mean that sidling to avoid a crossing is not an option.

From here, head up Smiths Stream in the riverbed. The banks are solid scrub, and the riverbed is on large rounded stones - so it is slow going. Pass the forks below Smiths Stream Hut, taking the western fork. 100m beyond, grassy flats finally open on the northern bank. Exit the riverbed here onto these flats, and nose around for the marked DOC track climbing the face behind. Smiths Stream hut is 20m above the river on a small terrace.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

A good cut track runs west from the signposted track junction to Hinerua Hut, crossing a couple of saddles. Hinerua Hut is located int he 2nd clearing, looking south down the valley. Don't be alarmed by it's absence in the first!

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A good cut track runs east from Hinerua Hut, climbing pt1061 to a signposted track junction.

A good, cut, marked track runs north up Hinerua Spur from pt908 through mature bush. A signpost marks the track junction on pt1061.

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A good, cut, marked track runs south down Hinerua Spur from pt908 through mature bush. Pt908 is the last small knob before the track exist into private farmland.

A good, cut, marked track runs north up Hinerua Spur from pt908 through mature bush. A signpost marks the track junction on pt1061.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A good, cut, marked track runs south down Hinerua Spur from pt908 through mature bush. Pt908 is the last small knob before the track exist into private farmland.

This route is a crown-land alternative to the more popular route across private land which climbs the spur at the southern end of Hinerua Spur.

From the forks at the downstream base of Government Spur, head up the northern fork of the Tukituki. The valley starts tight and it's a scramble over debris for the first 100m. After this good flats open on the western bank, where good campspots exist.

Pass the creek shown on maps 300m up from the forks, and climb the next spur on the eastern side. This starts off steep and scrubby, but soon becomes a good beech spur with good game trails to follow. The spur tops-out on the cut, marked DOC track 100m south of pt908, and just inside the park boundary.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

This route is a crown-land alternative to the more popular route across private land which climbs the spur at the southern end of Hinerua Spur.

From the forks at the downstream base of Government Spur, head up the northern fork of the Tukituki. The valley starts tight and it's a scramble over debris for the first 100m. After this good flats open on the western bank, where good campspots exist.

Pass the creek shown on maps 300m up from the forks, and climb the next spur on the eastern side. This starts off steep and scrubby, but soon becomes a good beech spur with good game trails to follow. The spur tops-out on the cut, marked DOC track 100m south of pt908, and just inside the park boundary.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

A good riverbed route runs down the Tukituki from the base of the Longview track (500m downriver from Daphne). The valley floor is mainly flat and travel is on river banks, not in the river. A few bouldery sections, and occasional river crossings - but easier going than the gorge further upriver. The river is generally knee deep in normal flows, but would be impassable after rain.

Two major forks are passed on the true left. The first marks the base of the track down from Black Ridge / Tarn Biv and is marked by DOC triangles.

The second is at the downriver end of Governments Spur. Good campspots exist on flats 150m up this northern fork, but the first 100m are tight and a scramble.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

A good riverbed route runs down the Tukituki from the base of the Longview track (500m downriver from Daphne). The valley floor is mainly flat and travel is on river banks, not in the river. A few bouldery sections, and occasional river crossings - but easier going than the gorge further upriver. The river is generally knee deep in normal flows, but would be impassable after rain.

Two major forks are passed on the true left. The first marks the base of the track down from Black Ridge / Tarn Biv and is marked by DOC triangles.

The second is at the downriver end of Governments Spur. Good campspots exist on flats 150m up this northern fork, but the first 100m are tight and a scramble.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Leave the track at the track junction just north of Longview Hut, head NNE along the ridge, skirting pt1232 to its west. Regain the ridgeline and follow it NE as it descends and narrows to the point where beech forest reached the ridgeline. This section of ridgeline is notorious for its exposure to winds.

A cut, marked track commences at the bushedge, leading NE along the ridge to the junction with the Moorcock-Daphne track 100m beyond.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the point where the Moorcock track swings east off the ridgeline, continue SW along the ridgeline on a will defined track leading to the bushedge. From here follow the tussock ridge SW, passing just west of pt1232, until you intersect the poled track between pt1232 and the Pohongina Saddle. Longview Hut is 150m south along the poled route and is signposted.

Leave the track at the track junction just north of Longview Hut, head NNE along the ridge, skirting pt1232 to its west. Regain the ridgeline and follow it NE as it descends and narrows to the point where beech forest reached the ridgeline. This section of ridgeline is notorious for its exposure to winds.

A cut, marked track commences at the bushedge, leading NE along the ridge to the junction with the Moorcock-Daphne track 100m beyond.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the point where the Moorcock track swings east off the ridgeline, continue SW along the ridgeline on a will defined track leading to the bushedge. From here follow the tussock ridge SW, passing just west of pt1232, until you intersect the poled track between pt1232 and the Pohongina Saddle. Longview Hut is 150m south along the poled route and is signposted.

The ridgeline track to Longview continues north from pt1164, becoming increasingly exposed to the elements as it ascends into clear tussock tops. The track is well used, marked / poled. Note that the area around Longview is incredibly exposed to wind in certain conditions (every time I've visited!).

Longview Hut is visible (if you have visibility) sheltered below and to the east of the track/ridgeline. The turnoff is signposted.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Longview Hut, a good, obvious poled tramping route follows the ridgeline south towards the Apiti Track. After Rocky Knob (detour off main track) the track enters scrub and then sections of bush - where it is cut and marked.

Madpom wrote: Pt1164 has a marked turnoff to Makaretu Hut (2007 - note that when I visited Makaretu in 2014 it appeared that this northern access was no longer maintained).
2018 - this appears to be the main, mapped route down to Makaretu, complete with a new doc sign, and makes sense relative to the exit point at the Makaretu end. An old, overgrown looking track to Makaretu is signposted (with old DOC sign) head east on the spur south of Te Pohatu (Co-ord: S40° 00.173' E176° 05.691')

South of pt 1664 (450m/10min) the track enters the top of a slip and no obvious markers are present on the far side, pick your way across and down (past the stoat trap) to re-enter the leatherwood.

The track is mostly easy walking with some undulations and recent windfall - both trees and leatherwood, but generally straightforward to negotiate around. (Feb 2018)

The ridgeline track to Longview continues north from pt1164, becoming increasingly exposed to the elements as it ascends into clear tussock tops. The track is well used, marked / poled. Note that the area around Longview is incredibly exposed to wind in certain conditions (every time I've visited!).

Longview Hut is visible (if you have visibility) sheltered below and to the east of the track/ridgeline. The turnoff is signposted.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Longview Hut, a good, obvious poled tramping route follows the ridgeline south towards the Apiti Track. After Rocky Knob (detour off main track) the track enters scrub and then sections of bush - where it is cut and marked.

Madpom wrote: Pt1164 has a marked turnoff to Makaretu Hut (2007 - note that when I visited Makaretu in 2014 it appeared that this northern access was no longer maintained).
2018 - this appears to be the main, mapped route down to Makaretu, complete with a new doc sign, and makes sense relative to the exit point at the Makaretu end. An old, overgrown looking track to Makaretu is signposted (with old DOC sign) head east on the spur south of Te Pohatu (Co-ord: S40° 00.173' E176° 05.691')

South of pt 1664 (450m/10min) the track enters the top of a slip and no obvious markers are present on the far side, pick your way across and down (past the stoat trap) to re-enter the leatherwood.

The track is mostly easy walking with some undulations and recent windfall - both trees and leatherwood, but generally straightforward to negotiate around. (Feb 2018)

The ridgeline track to Longview continues north from pt1164, becoming increasingly exposed to the elements as it ascends into clear tussock tops. The track is well used, marked / poled. Note that the area around Longview is incredibly exposed to wind in certain conditions (every time I've visited!).

Longview Hut is visible (if you have visibility) sheltered below and to the east of the track/ridgeline. The turnoff is signposted.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Longview Hut, a good, obvious poled tramping route follows the ridgeline south towards the Apiti Track. After Rocky Knob (detour off main track) the track enters scrub and then sections of bush - where it is cut and marked.

Madpom wrote: Pt1164 has a marked turnoff to Makaretu Hut (2007 - note that when I visited Makaretu in 2014 it appeared that this northern access was no longer maintained).
2018 - this appears to be the main, mapped route down to Makaretu, complete with a new doc sign, and makes sense relative to the exit point at the Makaretu end. An old, overgrown looking track to Makaretu is signposted (with old DOC sign) head east on the spur south of Te Pohatu (Co-ord: S40° 00.173' E176° 05.691')

South of pt 1664 (450m/10min) the track enters the top of a slip and no obvious markers are present on the far side, pick your way across and down (past the stoat trap) to re-enter the leatherwood.

The track is mostly easy walking with some undulations and recent windfall - both trees and leatherwood, but generally straightforward to negotiate around. (Feb 2018)

The ridgeline track to Longview continues north from pt1164, becoming increasingly exposed to the elements as it ascends into clear tussock tops. The track is well used, marked / poled. Note that the area around Longview is incredibly exposed to wind in certain conditions (every time I've visited!).

Longview Hut is visible (if you have visibility) sheltered below and to the east of the track/ridgeline. The turnoff is signposted.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Longview Hut, a good, obvious poled tramping route follows the ridgeline south towards the Apiti Track. After Rocky Knob (detour off main track) the track enters scrub and then sections of bush - where it is cut and marked.

Madpom wrote: Pt1164 has a marked turnoff to Makaretu Hut (2007 - note that when I visited Makaretu in 2014 it appeared that this northern access was no longer maintained).
2018 - this appears to be the main, mapped route down to Makaretu, complete with a new doc sign, and makes sense relative to the exit point at the Makaretu end. An old, overgrown looking track to Makaretu is signposted (with old DOC sign) head east on the spur south of Te Pohatu (Co-ord: S40° 00.173' E176° 05.691')

South of pt 1664 (450m/10min) the track enters the top of a slip and no obvious markers are present on the far side, pick your way across and down (past the stoat trap) to re-enter the leatherwood.

The track is mostly easy walking with some undulations and recent windfall - both trees and leatherwood, but generally straightforward to negotiate around. (Feb 2018)

The ridgeline track to Longview continues north from pt1164, becoming increasingly exposed to the elements as it ascends into clear tussock tops. The track is well used, marked / poled. Note that the area around Longview is incredibly exposed to wind in certain conditions (every time I've visited!).

Longview Hut is visible (if you have visibility) sheltered below and to the east of the track/ridgeline. The turnoff is signposted.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Longview Hut, a good, obvious poled tramping route follows the ridgeline south towards the Apiti Track. After Rocky Knob (detour off main track) the track enters scrub and then sections of bush - where it is cut and marked.

Madpom wrote: Pt1164 has a marked turnoff to Makaretu Hut (2007 - note that when I visited Makaretu in 2014 it appeared that this northern access was no longer maintained).
2018 - this appears to be the main, mapped route down to Makaretu, complete with a new doc sign, and makes sense relative to the exit point at the Makaretu end. An old, overgrown looking track to Makaretu is signposted (with old DOC sign) head east on the spur south of Te Pohatu (Co-ord: S40° 00.173' E176° 05.691')

South of pt 1664 (450m/10min) the track enters the top of a slip and no obvious markers are present on the far side, pick your way across and down (past the stoat trap) to re-enter the leatherwood.

The track is mostly easy walking with some undulations and recent windfall - both trees and leatherwood, but generally straightforward to negotiate around. (Feb 2018)

The ridgeline track to Longview continues north from pt1164, becoming increasingly exposed to the elements as it ascends into clear tussock tops. The track is well used, marked / poled. Note that the area around Longview is incredibly exposed to wind in certain conditions (every time I've visited!).

Longview Hut is visible (if you have visibility) sheltered below and to the east of the track/ridgeline. The turnoff is signposted.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Longview Hut, a good, obvious poled tramping route follows the ridgeline south towards the Apiti Track. After Rocky Knob (detour off main track) the track enters scrub and then sections of bush - where it is cut and marked.

Madpom wrote: Pt1164 has a marked turnoff to Makaretu Hut (2007 - note that when I visited Makaretu in 2014 it appeared that this northern access was no longer maintained).
2018 - this appears to be the main, mapped route down to Makaretu, complete with a new doc sign, and makes sense relative to the exit point at the Makaretu end. An old, overgrown looking track to Makaretu is signposted (with old DOC sign) head east on the spur south of Te Pohatu (Co-ord: S40° 00.173' E176° 05.691')

South of pt 1664 (450m/10min) the track enters the top of a slip and no obvious markers are present on the far side, pick your way across and down (past the stoat trap) to re-enter the leatherwood.

The track is mostly easy walking with some undulations and recent windfall - both trees and leatherwood, but generally straightforward to negotiate around. (Feb 2018)

A good cut track drops SE from pt1232 towards the Ngamoko Road road end via the Apiti Track. Cut and marked through first leatherleaf and lower down good bush. Just beyond the 2nd saddle a signposted track junction is reached with a track dropping south towards the Mangatewainui River and Cattle Creek Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Cattle Creek turnoff, the Apiti Track continues to climb NW until it reaches the main range at pt1232. The track is cut and marked through first bush and later leatherleaf.

A good cut track drops SE from pt1232 towards the Ngamoko Road road end via the Apiti Track. Cut and marked through first leatherleaf and lower down good bush. Just beyond the 2nd saddle a signposted track junction is reached with a track dropping south towards the Mangatewainui River and Cattle Creek Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Cattle Creek turnoff, the Apiti Track continues to climb NW until it reaches the main range at pt1232. The track is cut and marked through first bush and later leatherleaf.

From the Cattle Creek sign, the track drops down and sidles briefly before a climb to the top of the ridge and the junction with the Makaretu Hut Track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From the Cattle Creek sign, the track drops down and sidles briefly before a climb to the top of the ridge and the junction with the Makaretu Hut Track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Sidle track from carpark at Ngamoko Road climbing gently towards the tops. Starts off across farm paddock - walk the obvious grass track to the gate before entering the park and following the fence line around several large bends. Past pt 880 the track enters bush interspersed with more open sections. Track mostly pretty clear - starting to slump in some places, but generally pretty easy walking.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Sidle track from carpark at Ngamoko Road climbing gently towards the tops. Starts off across farm paddock - walk the obvious grass track to the gate before entering the park and following the fence line around several large bends. Past pt 880 the track enters bush interspersed with more open sections. Track mostly pretty clear - starting to slump in some places, but generally pretty easy walking.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Sidle track from carpark at Ngamoko Road climbing gently towards the tops. Starts off across farm paddock - walk the obvious grass track to the gate before entering the park and following the fence line around several large bends. Past pt 880 the track enters bush interspersed with more open sections. Track mostly pretty clear - starting to slump in some places, but generally pretty easy walking.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Sidle track from carpark at Ngamoko Road climbing gently towards the tops. Starts off across farm paddock - walk the obvious grass track to the gate before entering the park and following the fence line around several large bends. Past pt 880 the track enters bush interspersed with more open sections. Track mostly pretty clear - starting to slump in some places, but generally pretty easy walking.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From the Cattle Creek sign, the track drops down and sidles briefly before a climb to the top of the ridge and the junction with the Makaretu Hut Track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From the Cattle Creek sign, the track drops down and sidles briefly before a climb to the top of the ridge and the junction with the Makaretu Hut Track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

The track north along the ridge from Cattle Creek was, sadly, not maintained (2014). Not one route marker was seen beyond the Cattle Creek junction, and in many places the track is unclear. Though there is a reasonable ground trail along the ridgeline, the track disappears completely as it drops to the forks - with luck you may come upon the ruins of the hut at Birch Whare. Descend to the forks by whatever route suits, and then follow the northern fork upstream (the Mangatewainui). After 1km upstream, a DOC signpost indicates a track on the true left to Makaretu and Leon Kirvig Huts. Thus starts 1.5km, 400 vertical meter climb to the ridgeline where a signposted track junction with the well marked & cut Apiti Track awaits.

Rivers are low (ankle deep) in normal flows but will be impassable after heavy rain.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted track junction, gfollow the marked track south down into the Mangatewainui. The track stops at the creek, which must be followed a further 1km downstream to the forks. From the forks, climb the spur to the south of both forks, angling west as it climbs towards pt951. There is no cut track on this spur (you are on private land) but the remains of the old NZFS track become more obvious as you climb. Follow the ridgeline as it swings south-west over the low pt951.

pt951 is the turn-off for those headed for Duck Pond Hut and the Apiti Stream to Ngamoko Hut.

Rivers are low (ankle deep) in normal flows but will be impassable after heavy rain.

The track north along the ridge from Cattle Creek was, sadly, not maintained (2014). Not one route marker was seen beyond the Cattle Creek junction, and in many places the track is unclear. Though there is a reasonable ground trail along the ridgeline, the track disappears completely as it drops to the forks - with luck you may come upon the ruins of the hut at Birch Whare. Descend to the forks by whatever route suits, and then follow the northern fork upstream (the Mangatewainui). After 1km upstream, a DOC signpost indicates a track on the true left to Makaretu and Leon Kirvig Huts. Thus starts 1.5km, 400 vertical meter climb to the ridgeline where a signposted track junction with the well marked & cut Apiti Track awaits.

Rivers are low (ankle deep) in normal flows but will be impassable after heavy rain.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted track junction, gfollow the marked track south down into the Mangatewainui. The track stops at the creek, which must be followed a further 1km downstream to the forks. From the forks, climb the spur to the south of both forks, angling west as it climbs towards pt951. There is no cut track on this spur (you are on private land) but the remains of the old NZFS track become more obvious as you climb. Follow the ridgeline as it swings south-west over the low pt951.

pt951 is the turn-off for those headed for Duck Pond Hut and the Apiti Stream to Ngamoko Hut.

Rivers are low (ankle deep) in normal flows but will be impassable after heavy rain.

From the junction on the ridgeline above Cattle Creek Hut, a rough track runs north. The track eventually leaves conservation land, and so is not as well maintained as other tracks into the area. A reasonable ground trail exists, but the track had not been cut or marked in some years (2014).

Pt951 is not obvious on the ground, but this low highpoint marks the turnoff for those headed to Duck Pond Hut, and don the Apiti Stream to Ngamoko Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Follow the unmaintained, unmarked (2014) track south along the ridgeline from pt951 towards Cattle Creek Hut. The turnoff to Cattle Creek is signposted and tracks from here on are maintained.

From the junction on the ridgeline above Cattle Creek Hut, a rough track runs north. The track eventually leaves conservation land, and so is not as well maintained as other tracks into the area. A reasonable ground trail exists, but the track had not been cut or marked in some years (2014).

Pt951 is not obvious on the ground, but this low highpoint marks the turnoff for those headed to Duck Pond Hut, and don the Apiti Stream to Ngamoko Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Follow the unmaintained, unmarked (2014) track south along the ridgeline from pt951 towards Cattle Creek Hut. The turnoff to Cattle Creek is signposted and tracks from here on are maintained.

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.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Steep descent off the ridge down to Stanfield Hut

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Steep descent off the ridge down to Stanfield Hut

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Gentle drop through scrubby bush to top of ridge above Stanfield Hut to junction where old track up to Takapari highpoint joins in. Track is partially overgrown, but still passable. Muddy in places.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Gentle drop through scrubby bush to top of ridge above Stanfield Hut to junction where old track up to Takapari highpoint joins in. Track is partially overgrown, but still passable. Muddy in places.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

The 4WD Takapari Rd runs along the eastern escarpment of the Ruahines north from Travers A Frame Hut. Couple of steep climbs are tricky in 2WD vehicles, but should be fine in 4WD with some clearance. Where the broad plateau ends the road swings NW at the junction with the Standfield Hut track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The 4WD Takapari Rd runs along the eastern escarpment of the Ruahines south from the Standfield Hut turnoff to Travers A Frame Hut. A couple of steep descents are tricky in 2WD vehicles, but should be fine in 4WD with some clearance.

The 4WD Takapari Rd runs along the eastern escarpment of the Ruahines north from Travers A Frame Hut. Couple of steep climbs are tricky in 2WD vehicles, but should be fine in 4WD with some clearance. Where the broad plateau ends the road swings NW at the junction with the Standfield Hut track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The 4WD Takapari Rd runs along the eastern escarpment of the Ruahines south from the Standfield Hut turnoff to Travers A Frame Hut. A couple of steep descents are tricky in 2WD vehicles, but should be fine in 4WD with some clearance.

An easy but long walk along the 4WD Takaparui Road from its southern end to Travers Hut. A journey through an endless expanse of leatherleaf, with views over the Tararua district and Manawatu.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

An easy but long walk along the 4WD Takaparui Road from Travers Hut to it's southern end. Note that tracks to Forks Hut start 300m beyond the end of the graveled road. A journey through an endless expanse of leatherleaf, with views over the Tararua district and Manawatu.

An easy but long walk along the 4WD Takaparui Road from its southern end to Travers Hut. A journey through an endless expanse of leatherleaf, with views over the Tararua district and Manawatu.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

An easy but long walk along the 4WD Takaparui Road from Travers Hut to it's southern end. Note that tracks to Forks Hut start 300m beyond the end of the graveled road. A journey through an endless expanse of leatherleaf, with views over the Tararua district and Manawatu.

A very tough, rough route exists from the southern end of Takapari Rd to the Otamaraho Stream on the eastern side of the Ruahines, for onwards access to Kumeti and points South.

From the end of the 4WD Takapari Road, continue south along the tops on an overgrown, but followable tramping track. This is shown on maps, continuing a further 1.5km along the eastern escarpment. At the point where the map shows the track stopping, a roughly cut track swings SW towards the spur north of the Otamaraho Stream. JJust befor the drop-off, the track forks, the northern fork dropping into a slip at the head of the the next stream north, and the southern fork heading for the spur. The track is reasonably well cut (2014) for the first 100 vertical meters descent, but beyond that becomes very overgrown. Occasional tape, tin lids and old cut stumps are all the indicates that a track was every present. It is possible to bush bash down the spur until it flattens a little and bush gives was to tall toetoe mixed with waits to head high scrub. Here progress becomes very tricky, and I dropped off the spur, heading SSW. I do not that on air-photos (WAMS), a bov of some sort seems to exist another 400m down the spur,so if you persist, you may pick up a track leading to that - but I found the way impassable once I hit the toetoe.

Initally, going dropping off the spur continues very scrubby and tight, but once below the scrub, heading SSW off the spur, the bush became open and going good for about 100 vertical meters, following a small sidestream visible as a dry gully on the map. 60m above the Otamaraho valley floor this creek met waterfalls and vertical faces. DO NOT CONTINUE below this point, instead, sidle upstream (WNW) onto good, if steep slips which can be descended to the valley.

From here it is a simple process of following the Otamaraho downstream. A couple of small waterfalls in the first 150m require scrambling round, but once below them, the valley floor is broad and flat as far as the park boundary.

Outside the park, a Queen's Chain exists, so you could continue down the creek if you wanted, to Thornburn Road. Alternatively a reasonable, but steep route crosses the spur to the SW, just inside the park, to the Kumeti roadend.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

A very tough, rough route exists from the southern end of Takapari Rd to the Otamaraho Stream on the eastern side of the Ruahines, for onwards access to Kumeti and points South.

From the end of the 4WD Takapari Road, continue south along the tops on an overgrown, but followable tramping track. This is shown on maps, continuing a further 1.5km along the eastern escarpment. At the point where the map shows the track stopping, a roughly cut track swings SW towards the spur north of the Otamaraho Stream. JJust befor the drop-off, the track forks, the northern fork dropping into a slip at the head of the the next stream north, and the southern fork heading for the spur. The track is reasonably well cut (2014) for the first 100 vertical meters descent, but beyond that becomes very overgrown. Occasional tape, tin lids and old cut stumps are all the indicates that a track was every present. It is possible to bush bash down the spur until it flattens a little and bush gives was to tall toetoe mixed with waits to head high scrub. Here progress becomes very tricky, and I dropped off the spur, heading SSW. I do not that on air-photos (WAMS), a bov of some sort seems to exist another 400m down the spur,so if you persist, you may pick up a track leading to that - but I found the way impassable once I hit the toetoe.

Initally, going dropping off the spur continues very scrubby and tight, but once below the scrub, heading SSW off the spur, the bush became open and going good for about 100 vertical meters, following a small sidestream visible as a dry gully on the map. 60m above the Otamaraho valley floor this creek met waterfalls and vertical faces. DO NOT CONTINUE below this point, instead, sidle upstream (WNW) onto good, if steep slips which can be descended to the valley.

From here it is a simple process of following the Otamaraho downstream. A couple of small waterfalls in the first 150m require scrambling round, but once below them, the valley floor is broad and flat as far as the park boundary.

Outside the park, a Queen's Chain exists, so you could continue down the creek if you wanted, to Thornburn Road. Alternatively a reasonable, but steep route crosses the spur to the SW, just inside the park, to the Kumeti roadend.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From the point where the Otamaraho Stream flows out of the Ruahine Park, head up the inside (Ruahine side) of the fenceline climbing due west. This is a small, steep gully of open bush. Keep near to the fenceline as the gully peters out, swinging SW across the face to cross the spur which drops due south. Once over the spur, drop SSW into the head of the dry gully visible from map contours - the 2nd dry gully visible within the park. Stick to mature bush as you descend and you will have an easy descent, though patches of dog nettle are present. Avoid continuing too far west as the good bush becomes thick scrub beyond this gully.

Once in the gully, follow it to the north forks of the Mangapuaka Stream, and then follow that downstream until you reach the forks with the main, southern branch - at the park boundary. Travel is best in-stream, or on the western bank. The eastern bank becomes very thick.

Once on the shingle flats of the main fork of the Mangapuaka, cross the main river (ankle deep in normal flows, but can flood)head upstream 150m to where a signpost on the western bank points south out of the riverbed to the Kumeti Roadend. The roadend is 20m out of the river.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Kumeti Roadend, drop into the riverbed and head downriver 150m to the forks. The creek mush be crossed, and though ankle deep in normal flows, can flood.

Follow the smaller northen fork of the Mangapuaka upriver for 400m to the 2nd dry basin on the NE bank, as shown on the map. Climb this dry basin to reach the spur 60m below the unmarked knob. Then swing due east through clearing until you pick up the fenceline dropping into the Otamaraho (the bushedge dropping east on the topomap). Sticking inside the bush, you'll pick up a steep, but open dry gully 50m from the bushedge, dropping east to reach the Otamaraho just inside the park boundary.

From the point where the Otamaraho Stream flows out of the Ruahine Park, head up the inside (Ruahine side) of the fenceline climbing due west. This is a small, steep gully of open bush. Keep near to the fenceline as the gully peters out, swinging SW across the face to cross the spur which drops due south. Once over the spur, drop SSW into the head of the dry gully visible from map contours - the 2nd dry gully visible within the park. Stick to mature bush as you descend and you will have an easy descent, though patches of dog nettle are present. Avoid continuing too far west as the good bush becomes thick scrub beyond this gully.

Once in the gully, follow it to the north forks of the Mangapuaka Stream, and then follow that downstream until you reach the forks with the main, southern branch - at the park boundary. Travel is best in-stream, or on the western bank. The eastern bank becomes very thick.

Once on the shingle flats of the main fork of the Mangapuaka, cross the main river (ankle deep in normal flows, but can flood)head upstream 150m to where a signpost on the western bank points south out of the riverbed to the Kumeti Roadend. The roadend is 20m out of the river.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Kumeti Roadend, drop into the riverbed and head downriver 150m to the forks. The creek mush be crossed, and though ankle deep in normal flows, can flood.

Follow the smaller northen fork of the Mangapuaka upriver for 400m to the 2nd dry basin on the NE bank, as shown on the map. Climb this dry basin to reach the spur 60m below the unmarked knob. Then swing due east through clearing until you pick up the fenceline dropping into the Otamaraho (the bushedge dropping east on the topomap). Sticking inside the bush, you'll pick up a steep, but open dry gully 50m from the bushedge, dropping east to reach the Otamaraho just inside the park boundary.

From the Kumeti Roadend,, head up the Mangapuaka riverbed for approx 1km. An old 4wd track heads up the gravel flats, cutting later onto river banks. The 4wd track gives out around the old Kumeti Hut site, and tha route crosses to the southern bank where a signpost marks the start of the tramping track to Kiritaki Hut. The route up the riverbed is not marked, and it would not be hard to miss the start of the track to Kiritaki. Several river crossing are normally performed - ankle to knee deep in normal flows - but the river can be impassable after heavy rain. A bushbash up the south-western bank looks possible, but tough, if the river is uncrossable.

From the signpost, the track is well cut and marked, climbing steeply south, gaining 300m onto the spur. Once on the spurt the gradient flattens to a gentle climb, and bush gives way to scrub. A further 3.5km of gentle climb follows to reach the signposted track junction at an unnamed peak 400m east of Matanginui. Here a track turns south towards Kiritaki Hut, and another continues west to the western park boundary at the former Opawe Hut site.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From the Kumeti Roadend,, head up the Mangapuaka riverbed for approx 1km. An old 4wd track heads up the gravel flats, cutting later onto river banks. The 4wd track gives out around the old Kumeti Hut site, and tha route crosses to the southern bank where a signpost marks the start of the tramping track to Kiritaki Hut. The route up the riverbed is not marked, and it would not be hard to miss the start of the track to Kiritaki. Several river crossing are normally performed - ankle to knee deep in normal flows - but the river can be impassable after heavy rain. A bushbash up the south-western bank looks possible, but tough, if the river is uncrossable.

From the signpost, the track is well cut and marked, climbing steeply south, gaining 300m onto the spur. Once on the spurt the gradient flattens to a gentle climb, and bush gives way to scrub. A further 3.5km of gentle climb follows to reach the signposted track junction at an unnamed peak 400m east of Matanginui. Here a track turns south towards Kiritaki Hut, and another continues west to the western park boundary at the former Opawe Hut site.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From the signposted track junction east of Matanganui highpoint, the track to Kiritaki Hut heads due south along a spur, well cut and marked through scrubby vegetation. After 1.5km it climbs to a small highpoint, then drops west into the Oruakeretaki Stream. This section is inaccurate on topomaps (and on the route drawn here) but cut and marked int he scrub, and signposted in/out of the river so easy to follow. Hitting the river the route is unmarked, following the riverbed downstream for maybe 300m, before a signpost on the true-right bank marks the start of the track leading up the Kiritaki Hut. The stream is small, and mainly a process of boulder-hopping with dry feet. However, the narrow gorge looks like it could become impassible after heavy rain.

The track climbs steeply and is rough and loose for 200 vertical meters until it hits the top of the face it is climbing. From there a well cut, marked track runs WSW along the broad ridge, climbing gentle to reach Kiritaki Hut, 400m away.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From the signposted track junction east of Matanganui highpoint, the track to Kiritaki Hut heads due south along a spur, well cut and marked through scrubby vegetation. After 1.5km it climbs to a small highpoint, then drops west into the Oruakeretaki Stream. This section is inaccurate on topomaps (and on the route drawn here) but cut and marked int he scrub, and signposted in/out of the river so easy to follow. Hitting the river the route is unmarked, following the riverbed downstream for maybe 300m, before a signpost on the true-right bank marks the start of the track leading up the Kiritaki Hut. The stream is small, and mainly a process of boulder-hopping with dry feet. However, the narrow gorge looks like it could become impassible after heavy rain.

The track climbs steeply and is rough and loose for 200 vertical meters until it hits the top of the face it is climbing. From there a well cut, marked track runs WSW along the broad ridge, climbing gentle to reach Kiritaki Hut, 400m away.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From Kiritaki Hut a good track wanders west and south before dropping into the headwaters of the Raparapawai Stream. The route down river then follows the riverbed, with increasing river flats as you go downstream. Travel is reasonable in normal flows with no crossings much more than boot deep.

After 2km of river travel, a signpost on the western bank below the 2nd major sidecreek on the western side marks the start of the track to the Mangaatua.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From Kiritaki Hut a good track wanders west and south before dropping into the headwaters of the Raparapawai Stream. The route down river then follows the riverbed, with increasing river flats as you go downstream. Travel is reasonable in normal flows with no crossings much more than boot deep.

After 2km of river travel, a signpost on the western bank below the 2nd major sidecreek on the western side marks the start of the track to the Mangaatua.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description