Otehake NZFS track up to Big Tops and down to Koropuku Hut
- 8 hr – 3 hr one way
- Medium
Attractive old track from Otehake swingbridge to open tops. Recent extensions cut from gully to bypass waterfalls.
Walking time
|
1 day
8 hr – 3 hr
|
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Distance
|
5.0km |
Type
|
One way
|
Grade
|
Medium
Able to be done in times of high river flow if prepared to use Deception Flood route and Otehake swingbridge. Grades explained
|
Bookings
|
No bookings — open access
No — open access
|
Starts
|
20m downstream of Otehake Swingbridge on true right |
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Ends
|
Koropuku Hut |
Maps
|
NZTopo50-BV21
|
Altitude
|
345m
–
1,260m
Altitude change 915m
|
Cross Otehake River from L. Kaurapataka side to orange triangle on opposite bank. Behind this, there is a small clearing leading to a leaning tree with markers indicating the start of this track. Traverse 100m forested flats being attentive to find sparse markers in the gloom currently invaginating and dropping off! A large tree is marked and indicates the start of a steep ascent diagonally from left to right to a rocky spur adorned with kidney fern. Here the track climbs a few meters then traverses briefly from right to left, then resumes its climb to less steep terrain and forest with more undergrowth. The track is reasonable to follow with attention. 2 scenic knolls are encountered, around here is the only water, a small tadpoled pond in a boggy area just off to the left of the track. After maybe an hour, the track eventually reaches a saddle and descends 50m into this. Here it is mossy but has no pooling of water.