Wairoa stream Waitawheta Hut Waitengaue Valley Kaimai Mamaku forest park

from carpark on woodland rd cross the stile and follow the track beside the river for 10 minutes to a swing bridge. Immediatley across the bridge turn left up a well marked track beside the wairoa stream. the track crosses the stream about three times before climbing a ridge to the linderman pack track intersection. climbing the ridge you will pass through groves of young Kauri with the odd very large speciman to stop and marvel at. turning right at the intersection continue on to wairoa shelter. Allow 4 hours for this section and time for lunch. Continue on from here climbing to the north south track where you turn right again well marked and start to descend to the waitawheta valley and on to waitawheta hut for the night. This section about 2 to 3 hours for a 6 to 7 hour day. track is well marked and cleared. Leaving waitawheta hut the next morning retrace your steps about 10 minutes up the valley from the bridge to the waitengaue valley track intersection. this track winds up a stream onto a ridge then down into the waitengaue valley after about 2 to 2.5 hours you reach the ananui track junction. a side trip of 40 minutes return to see the ananui falls is well within you day here and worth the visit. from the junction continue down the waitengaue valley crossing the stream several times finally arriving back at woodland road carpark. This section takes about 4 hours without the side trip. The streams on both tracks are passable without getting wet feet but have the ability to turn nasty in really bad weather.  having said that i walked this after two heavy rain days without trouble or wet feet. This is a very satisfying two day walk through some interesting country with plenty of history to observe and while they dont rival Tane Mahuta a couple of the Kauri are impressively big.