Tracks
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park
Central Whirinaki - Mangamate Loop
Track
• 2 – 3 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.
A popular lowland circuit in Whirinaki Forest Park featuring tall podocarp forest and blue ducks.
A Whirinaki crossing - Waikaremoana Road Summit to Rangitaiki Tavern
Track
• 6 – 10 days. Medium. One way.
Majestic podocarp forest - straight-turnked trees, reaching for the sky, bearded in epiphytes, the forest floor below covered in a lush understory of green fern. The constant melody of birdsong.
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Central Whirinaki Hut
Track
• 2 days. Easy. Return via same track.
This popular overnight alternative on the Whirinaki Track follows a very smooth path with views of the Whirinaki River, blue ducks, Whirinaki Falls, and beautiful podocarp forest.
Moerangi Circut
Track
• 2 – 3 days. Easy. One way.
Promoted as a mountain bike track, this is also a popular tramping track. The track is very new, well graded, easy and suitable for trampers of all ages in virtually any weather.
Upper Matakuhia Hut
Track
• 1 – 2 days. Easy. Return via same track.
An ideal easy overnight trip or can be done as a day trip
Mangamate Hut via Kakanui Stream
Track
• 1 – 2 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.
A shorter loop taking in Mangamate but not Central Whirinaki Hut. There is no track up the Kakanui Stram
Whirinaki River - Taumutu Stream
Track
• 1 day. Medium. Loop track.
This extension to the Whirinaki - Mangamate Loop leads past a pumice cave to Upper Whirinaki Hut. The route is rough and wet underfoot.
Track grades
- Easy
- Unusually smooth, well-marked track, easy gradients. Up to about 4 hours per day.
- Easy-medium
- Typical lowland track. Generally easy walking and well marked. Ascents of up to 1000m. Some easy river crossings, unmarked travel along rivers.
- Medium
- Typical tops track. Experienced trampers only. Rough, muddy and poorly marked or unmarked. Ascents of up to 2000m. River crossings, open tops, passes. Up to about 8 hours per day.
- Medium-hard
- Navigation and snow skills (use of ice axe and crampons) required. Glaciers, exposure to falls.
- Hard
- Rough or non-existent tracks. Following ridges, bush spurs, and rivers. Steep ascents, arduous travel, hazardous conditions, snow and navigation skills essential.