Tracks
Kaimanawa Forest Park
The Kaweka Main Range - a NS traverse
Track
• 5 – 10 days. Easy/medium. One way.
A Kaimanawa-Kaweka traverse from Rangataiki to the Gentle Annie (Napier-Taihape) summit.
5-10 days of good track-tramping through the beech & manuka forest, vividly coloured sub-alpine ridges an...
Waipakihi Thunderbolt Loop
Track
• 3 days. Medium. Loop track with a road section.
A 3 day trip in the Kaimanawas following the Middle Range and enjoyable tops tramping. Also a probable night camping on the tops
Urchin-Umukarikari Loop Track
Track
• 1 – 2 days. Medium. Loop track with a road section.
This is a new track linking the existing Umukarikari Track that goes to Waipakihi Hut with the Urchin Track that goes to the lower Waipakihi Valley. This now makes a day loop possible and on a good...
Oamaru to Cascade Hut via Maungaorangi
Track
• 1 – 2 days. Medium. One way.
An alternative route from Oamaru Hut to Cascade Hut
Tauranga-Taupo Falls
Track
• 1 day. Medium. Return via same track.
The Tauranga-Taupo Falls would have to be one of the more spectacular falls in the North Island. The track in there is still not an official one though DOC have it in their Management Plan to devel...
Lower Waipakahi Valley
Track
• 1 – 2 days. Easy/medium. One way.
A nice easy valley with very pleasant camping all the way along its length
Waipakihi Hut to Middle Range
Track
• Medium. One way.
DOC have re cut an old track that gives access to the Middle Range from Waipakihi Hut. The usual route via Junction Top crosses private land and requires a permit. Going by this route avoids the Pr...
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.