The Tapuaeroa River is the main access to the Oronui and Oronui Hut, and forms the most common eastern end-point for an east-west traverse of the Raukumara Range. Access is from the Tapuaeroa Roadend (Mt Hikurangi roadend) and is up the riverbed. The riverbed is good shingle until above the Huitatariki, where a gorge is encountered. This requires rock-climbing on the bluffy banks, and several dodgy crossings in pools between rapids - not places to get swept away.

Once above this gorge, however, the valley floor broadend to gravel flats and going is good (though wet feet all the way) right through the Oronui Gorge to Oronui Hut. Not a trip to attempt after rain, though.

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