Trip Gradings:
EASY (E) 4-5 hours tramping – suitable for beginners
MEDIUM (M) 5-7 hours tramping – suitable for those with some experience
HARD (H) 8 hours + tramping – more experience and a high level of fitness and confidence, including coping with adverse conditions is necessary.
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11 – 12 Jan Powell Hut (M)
Starting at Mt Holdsworth road end which is just south of Masterton. We climb up the Gentle Annie track, past Mountain House Shelter, and up to Powell Hut where we will stay the night (32 bunk Hut, currently we have 8 beds booked).
Depending on the weather there are a few options for the second day, 1: head back down the way we came up. 2: Climb further upwards to the top of Mt Holdsworth and then continue along the tops for about 1 km and then down the East Holdsworth Track toward
19 Jan Khyber Pass/ Hinerua Hut (E/M)
The tramp leaves from Mill Road, inland from Ashley Clinton. Option to either: 1. travel downstream to Khyber Pass or 2. head upstream from the Tuki Tuki river to Hinerua Hut starting from Mill Road. Hopefully a nice day to get your feet wet with an opportunity to swim.1: walk downstream on the river bank and in the northern reaches of the Tukituki River to Khyber Pass 2: From the car park follow the track down to the Tukituki River; go upstream for 2 kilometres before crossing the river. The track then goes over private farmland before reaching the Park boundary. From here it is a steady climb up an old track that follows a spur to the Hinerua Ridge Track junction. From the junction it is a 30 minute walk to Hinerua Hut.
26 Jan: Red Island (M)
A return trip from Waimarama south to Red Island with a lot of rock hopping. With low tide at 9.45 AM we will need at 7 AM start to give time to get to Red Island and back before the sea level gets too high
6 – 9 Feb: Kiwi Saddle Hut (M)
A working bee at Kiwi Saddle for the first 2 days then plus a day tramp from the hut to Kiwi Mouth/Studholme Hut and return out on day 4
23 Feb: Barlows Hut. (E)
Barlows Hut is a walk from Yeomans Mill up the Makaroro River, with many swimming holes to cool off in on a hot sunny day (I.e. expect wet feet). The hut is a cosy Lockwood design sleeping 8.
9 Mar: Te Iringa – Kaimanawa (M)
Lovely bush and an easy track starting from Clements Mill Road which is accessed from the Napier -Taupo road, about 30 Km east of Taupo, via Tauhara Road
22-23 Mar : Opureke Track/ Upper Matakuhia. (M/E)
A)From SH5 turn onto the old Pohokura Road, then onto Waipunga Road. The start of this track is just past the beginning of the power pylons. Walk into what remains of Halfway Hut, then walk through dense forest to the Matakuhia Stream, tenting at the T junction. Sunday, head NE, following the stream to Upper Matakuhia Hut for lunch and walking outto van on Pine Milling Road. A grunty walk, great forest, few birds (whio I have seen on this track), and a lot of interesting fungi.
(B) After dropping off A party, continue to Pine Milling Road and walk into Upper Matakuhia Hut for the night. Returning on the same route back to the van.
6 Apr: Middle Stream & Waipawa River (M)
From the Triplex carpark walk down to the Waipawa river, across bridge and follow the farm tracks to the park boundary. Track descends through farmland to small stream, then gently climbs to small knoll then drops down to Middle Stream. Continue downstream to the junction with the Waipawa River and walk back to carpark via a small gorgy section. This trip is a waterery one, not difficult.
18-21 April, 2025 Northern Kaweka Walkabout(M/H)
Friday: Makahu Road to Makino Hut (3 hours) The track begins a short distance after Makahu Road enters the park where it climbs to a saddle. It is from this point that the track leaves the road.
Saturday: Makino Hut to Mangaturutu Hut (4 hours) The track from Makino hut is via the Makino river and involves a 3 hour climb. Mangaturutu Hut to Tira Lodge (2 hours)
Sunday: Tira Lodge to Middle Hill Hut (7.5 hours). The track drops down onto the Ballard Saddle, then climbs over the northern (Whetu) end of the main Kaweka Range. The route is via a poled track which traverses the open Kaweka tops (1600 metres) for at least 1.5 hours tramping. Some caution may be required during adverse weather conditions. From northern (Whetu) end of the main Kaweka Range, the Camp Spur track descends to the Middle Hill Hut.
Monday: Middle Hill Hut to Makahu Road (2.5 hours). Makahu Road exit is about 20 minutes downhill of the start of the track to Makino Hut.
25-27 Apr: Aranga Hut Loop
From Mangleton Road up Golden Crown and along to Aranga Hut for the night. Saturday, climb on to the main range, head south and descend Totara Spur to spend the night at Upper Makaroro Hut. Sunday, climb up to Parks Peak Hut then head north along the range to Golden Crown and out.
4 May: Don Juan from Lotkow or Lawrence Rd (E-M)
Don Juan is in the Kaweka about 12 km to the west of Patoka. It can be accessed from 3 roads; Te Kowhai Road, Lotkow Road and Lawrence Road . If the Tutaekuri River is low the tramp will start at Lawrence Road, cross the Tutaekuri River and follow the track to Lotkow Road before heading east to Don Juan. If the river is high it will be a short tramp starting from Lotlow Road end, after returning to the van we can climb up on to Black Birch Range
17-18 May: Poutaki Hut – Wakarara Range (M)
Poutaki Hut sits just off the top of the Wakarara Range, the jagged range that runs from Kereru to Wakarara a few km east of the Ruahine Range. It is a 4 bunk hut set in a lovely grassy area, so lots of tent sites available. It is not a long tramp so we could start it later on the Saturday and take the most direct route from Yeomans Mill (cross the Makaroro River, walk up Dutch Creek to Wakarara Road then follow this road to Leatherwood Road and the start of the track. We could then take the longer route out, via Ellis’s Hut and Yeomans Track, on the Sunday. Alternative we could have Sunday the shorter day by going in via Yeomans Track and out via Wakarara Road.
31 May – 2 Jun (Kings BD) Walk across the Pureora Forest (M)
If there are 2 drivers,there can be a party starting from each end.
A: Taumarunui end; drive to Mangakahu Valley Road end and walk to Hauhungaroa Hut for the night.
Saturday, continue on along the Hauhungaroa Track descending down to Waihaha Hut. Monday follow the Waihaha River out to SH38 (Waihaha Track).
B: The second party starts from SH 38 and exits at Mangakahu Valley Road, spending Saturday night at Waihaha Hut and Sunday night at Hauhungaroa Hut.
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