Name

Map

Notes Dated

Rough description

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Topo50 Maps:  BG35-Tihoi & BG36-Taupo

Topo250 Sheet 18

Topo250 Sheet 18

Topo50 BH37 Rangitaiki

NOT TO BE TRIED WITHOUT SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN BEFORE: moderate, adventurous outing in  this mainly uncharted tramp to slowly build up a circular walk passing through Merrilie's Clearing for the future. The only real ascent and descent is over the hill with the quarry at the top right at the start of the outing – and this is only about 150 metres ascent. The walking is tricky since it is mostly on uncharted, hunters’ tracks or where efforts were being made to establish tracks via bush-whacking - but it is nice soft going.  The first part is on old, heavily overgrown logging road  and the latter part is on Punchy’s road  which is an old, disused gravel road.  Total walking time, which included all the trail finding , was just less than 7 hours 30 minutes.  The return trip from the lunch spot back to the car park took just over 3 hours.

260 Series Map: S20 Ohakune and T20 Ruapehu

260 Series Map: Tongariro T19                                                                                    

Topo50 Series Maps: BH34 Raurimi & BH35 Turangi

Topo50 Series Maps: BJ34 Ruapehu & BJ35 Waiouru

A first attempt at the wrong time of year to get up into the Tukino Ski Village via the Whangaehu Valley. The first hour is spent walking on the Round the Mountain track towards the Rangipo Hut then the rest is off-track through very mixed terrain from soft, easy walking ridges to steep loose scree descents – then there is the Lahar gully!  In winter time it is just not possible to proceed up the gullied sections of the Whangaehu streamline.

Topo50 Series Maps: BH34 Raurimu, BH35 Turangi & BJ35 Waiouru

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 ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Top50 - BK33 Maayahowi

A fairly relaxed 2 day tour with two short tramps, the main purpose being to tramp into the site of the commune at Ahu Ahu where the parents of one of the trampers used to live. The other tramp was very short up to a viewpoint to overlook one of the previous channels of the Wanganui River. Besides that, historic sites that were passed on the road were studied – including the church at Jerusalem and the Kawana Mill.

Topo50 - BH38 Te Haroto & BH39 Putorino

260 Series - U19 Kaimanawa

Topo50 - BJ34 Mnt Ruapehu

Topo50 - BG34 Piropiro & BG35 Tihoi

Topo50 - BH32 Tokirima, BH33 Retaruke, BJ32 Pipiriki, BJ332 Raetihi  

Topo250 - Sheet 9  

A thought provoking tramp of two nights and three days through the area settled after World War 1 by returning soldiers who were allocated the land as a reward for their efforts.  The route encompasses the Wanganui and Mangapurua River valleys with the settlements being in the latter from 1917 until 1942 when the last settler left the area.  The thought provoking comes from thinking about what the area would be like nowadays if the settlement had succeeded and the reasons why some of the meadows are still totally grass covered and have not been invaded by bush and tree species – it is assumed that the local population of goats and deer keep these original meadows well grazed.  The history and social aspects of the area are well documented in the “Historical Map of The Mangapurua Valley and Wanganui Valley” published by the “Four Friends Trust”  via the Wanganui Tramping Club, PO Box 678 Wanganui.  The DOC “Mangapurua Track” leaflet is another good source of information. The drive from Taupo to Whakahoro takes about 2:30 minutes, the jet-boat trip down the Wanganui River to Mangapurua Landing takes 1:30 minutes (about NZ$140) and the walk back to Whakahoro is comfortably done in three days with the sites of the original holdings marked by signboards with family names and the odd artifact such as gates and ploughs. Some remnants of the houses still exist on the sites designated as campsites.  The track up to the actual Bridge from the Mangapurua Landing is well manicured and heavily used by day trippers, after this it is still good but less well maintained.  Day 2 track gets a bit muddy in wet weather, offers no hazards but there is a climb of about 1:30 – 2hrs to reach Mangapurua Trig.  The track on day 3 is not so good due to some parts being carved up by quad bikes (hunters) and there are some “shelf-like” sections through some very steep hilly terrain as well.  The final part of the walk is on undulating, gravel road where the feet burn up on hot days.

Topo50 - BH36 Motutere

This is a moderate overnight tramp of about 12km each way which offers endless opportunities to have out and back day tramps to suit time and fitness level.  There some pretty steep slopes and an overall altitude range of over 525m through dense native forest. The track is quite well marked with “orange” reflectives though largely un-maintained and care has to be taken, especially on wet days, as the many exposed roots can be lethal to the unwary.  Views are not a big feature though there is a good waterfall within a gorge plus a glimpse of Lake Taupo for the observant.  Total walk time into Cascade Hut including breaks is 5 - 6 hours though for the young and fit this can be reduced somewhat. The hut has 6 bunks, internal sink and water supply plus a wood / coal burner. The return trip is no quicker than inwards as it is a pretty hefty grunt back up from the Tauranga Taupo River.

Topo50 - BJ35Waiouru

Fairly easy five hour round trip with coffee / tea and lunch stop on fairly good footpaths, slightly overgrown in places with moderate slopes to summit walk with good views.  Care needs to be taken not to stray from the path as the walk borders the army training ground.

Topo50 - BF35 Whakamaru

A fairly hard three day two nights tramp with the option to “knock-off” Mount Arthur  ( 799masl) on the way. The huts are all different with Balloon being newer, Flora rather past its sell-by date and Mount Arthur Hut delightful for its position and views.  Times may seem a bit slow to young bloods but the average age of the party on this occasion was over 68 whilst for Mount Arthur it was 70!

Topo 50 - BG36 Taupo

A tramp that can be tackled in almost any weather conditions as there is excellent cover offered by the forest trees – though several areas are being logged. The tramp is on bike tracks which are all named and used in the text.  Walks of various length can be found but what is described is about as much as can be done in a sensible day. As described just over 5 hours were required, almost 19km were covered, overall altitude difference was almost 200m and an estimated 415m of ascent made. Quite a tiring outing.

Topo50 - BH36 Motutere, BH37 Rangitaiki    

NOT RECOMMENDED WITHOUT SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN BEFORE:A moderate walk of about 5 to 5:30 hours which is best attempted in the company of someone who knows the area and tracks. No amazing views but a great forest walk and a look at a piece of local history – Dooley’s Hut with a plaque in memory of old Joe Dooley, a “batten splitter” who lived and worked in the area for many years and actually died with his axe in his hand. The tramp is mainly on underused, old or uncharted hunters’ tracks through re-growth of logged forest.  The tracks are marked by paint splashes (reddish, green and yellow) on the trees whilst many of the older, unused sections are quite heavily overgrown in places. Wind-falls can be a slight hazard or inconveniences on the walk, especially to the Hobbit sized tramper. There is a fair amount of ascending and descending through the rolling terrain of the tramp, but there is only one taxing ascent after about an hours walking when a climb is made up onto the SW / NE trending ridge where the bulk of the walk is done.

Topo50 Map: BH36 Motutere    

Topo50 - BX15 Fox Glacier               

Topo50 BP33 Featherston & BP34 Masterton

Topo50 BF39 Galatea BF39 Galatea

Topo50 BJ34 Mnt Ruapehu

A walk of two distinct halves of about 5 hours to 5:30 minutes on a pretty rough track in places, especially near the start of the tramp down into the first valley. The first half offers fantastic views of Ruapehu etc plus the cascades down which you traverse on a steep, tricky rock ladder – but even the less agile fitted with bionic parts can negotiate this section with patience from other trampers. For more on this see the Lake Surprise description. The second half can be a bit daunting as it is all within darkish, wet forest or on wet boggy tussock land where feet wetting is almost guaranteed. The Mangaturuturu Hut is reached within 1:30 to 2 hours; this makes a good lunch spot and there are foot-wetting possibilities crossing some of the streams getting this far. The notice board at the hut advises that the walk out to Horopito is 2 – 3 hours – this is true! It is essential that transport with a driver is available as the drop-off is on the Okahune Mountain Road whilst the pickup is in the forest NE of Horopito – a permit for access to the pick-up can be obtained from DOC in Okahune. Refer to the map for detail.

Topo50  BG36-Taupo

Topo50  BD36 Lower Kaimai

Topo50 - BK36 Taoroa Junction

Topo50  BH36 Motutere    

Topo50  BG35-Tihoi & BG36-Taupo

A tramp that can be tackled in almost any weather conditions and that takes two hours each way. The track, which is shared with cyclists, is fairly good though it can be slippery in wet weather and there are a few slopes which take a bit of an effort and require care. Good views over Lake Taupo can be had and there is a DoC toilet on the shore edge when Kawakawa Bay is reached. The only other way to get to this bay is by boat.

Topo50   CD07 Manapouri & CD08 Te Anau

Topo50 - BH36 Motutere, BH37 Rangitaiki    

Topo50  BH35Turangi

This tramp is moderate to fit depending on the variation that is done.  This day-tramp comprises the north end of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing where one walks in to the Ketetahi Hut from close to SH 46 – this can be a bit tiring as there are, shall we say, a few “steps” on the otherwise very high grade track with long new section just below the hut.  Once at the Ketetahi Hut one can then admire the views and come down again or continue up for another hour or so to the Blue Lake or even as far as the Emerald Lakes and junction to the Otutere Track.  Lots of photos can be taken.

Topo50  BJ35 Waiouru

NOT RECOMMENDED WITHOUT SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN BEFORE:This is an easy walk of 3 - 4 hours that can be tackled when conditions dictate that walking at altitude or in exposed places should be avoided. There is no path to follow but the poles marking the edge of the army area are a very good guide.  The walking is on soft “Lahar” material with very few rough areas to traverse, unless excitement is being sought. The walk comprises a simple loop over to, into and up the valley of the Whangaehu River where the man made bund can be seen which is part of the interventions constructed to try and keep any Lahar flow from the mountain within this river valley. If time and conditions allow the “round-the-mountain” track can be reached along with the Rangipo Hut.

260-Raurimu S19  

Topo50 Series Map: BJ34 Mnt Ruapehu

This is an easy in-and-out walk of almost 15km distance taking 4 - 5 hours including rest and lunch stops.  The path is part of the Round The Mountain track and runs from the Okahune Mountain Road to the Mangaehuehu Hut passing the path for the Blyth Hut en-route. There are several swing bridges to cross, a few stream crossings to negotiate, many sections of boardwalk and several, some as yet, un-bridged, gullies to cross.  There are a couple of seats for the weary to sit down and admire the view of the mountain – on a clear day. Most of the path from the car-park for the first hour is in superb condition whilst the remainder is of variable quality but a great deal of work is being / has been done by DOC .

Topo50 BG38 Wairapukao

A tramp that proves to be quite a challenge with ample off-track walking, a lot of wet work - both up and downstream – enough distance to show in the legs and a good hut for overnighting. Starts and ends at the River Road car park Minginui, uses sections of the Whirinaki Track, Upper Mangamate and  Kakanui Streams. Day 1 requires 3 – 5:30min whilst Day 2 can need up to 8 hours – the young and fit / fast can do it much more quickly.

Topo50 Series: BH37 Rangitaiki

NOT RECOMMENDED WITHOUT SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN BEFORE:A moderate, adventurous outing in  this mainly uncharted tramp to slowly build up a circular walk passing through Merrilee's Clearing for the future. The only real ascent and descent is over the hill with the quarry at the top right at the start of the outing – and this is only about 150 metres ascent. The walking is tricky since it is mostly on uncharted, hunters’ tracks or where efforts were being made to establish tracks via bush-whacking - but it is nice soft going.  The first part is on old, heavily overgrown logging road  and the latter part is on Punchy’s road  which is an old, disused gravel road.  Total walking time, which included all the trail finding , was just less than 7 hours 30 minutes.  The return trip from the lunch spot back to the car park took just over 3 hours.

Topo50 Series Map: BG38 Wairapukao

An easy to moderate walk with somewhat of a steep start from a car park at the side of SH47 only a few kilometres out of Turangi.  The lower part is a bit steep as noted and is through thick broadleaf forest with very active birdlife – including Tui.  Further up one crosses the line of the Tokaanu Tunnel then emerges from forest into rather high bush – which is a struggle for the vertically challenged. In mid July 2005 the walk had to be abandoned after 90 minutes due to low cloud and high winds

A long walk not to be undertaken lightly or without having someone along who knows just where they are going and reliable navigation skills. Most of the walk is on uncharted tracks, there are some “paint splurges’” on trees or plastic ribbons tied on trees but there is a great deal of “bush bashing involved.  Much of the bush bashing is through very high, very thick virtually impenetrable shrubs which do a good job of skin removal and offer many trip-ups Allow 6 – 7 hours including tea and lunch stops plus some spare in case you have navigational irregularities.  Some of the descent is quite steep and seemingly relentless.

Topo50 BH35 Turangi  & BH34 Raurimu

Depending on what you do this can be a long walk as it can take 3 to 3:30 minutes one way down Lake Okataina, hence you could be looking at 7 hours if you do full length in and out.  If this is the plan then leave Taupo by 7:30am. The walk is NOT strenuous as there are no real slopes to task you, the footpath is good and is well marked. The forest is basically re-growth so not too many large trees but there are many ferns of various types plus abundant bird-calls.  The walk is in forest all the way so not too many views but those that are offered of the lake are most picturesque.

Topo50 Map: BH35 Turangi

Topo50 Map: BJ34 Mnt Ruapehu

A very easy short stroll up the recently refurbished grass surfaced old coach road to pass the old rail tunnel and wander over the historic Hapuawhenua viaduct. A good walk for children as there are many good information boards but near the railway and on the viaduct great care and control would be required.

260 Series map T19 Tongariro

A long moderate to fit (8:30 minutes including lunch break) walk from Kuaeranga Hut to the Pinnacles via the Pinnacle Hut, Dancing Camp Dam, Hydro Camp and Billy Goat Landing.  First part is on a very good gravel path then steeply upwards with many steps (rock staircases) and several swing bridges or stepping stone crossings to an almost level saddle and the Pinnacles Hut. Above the Hut – go without your back-pack and stick if you do not need the stick – as after a wet area at the start the going is very steep (scramble) then 2 (easy) ladders where you need your hands free to the top platform with great views.  Branch off to look at the Dancing Camp Dam, Hydro Camp and Billy Goat Landing on the way up or down – though on the way down is better as looking on the way up could break the concentration to get there.

Top050 Map: BJ34 Mt Ruapehu

A strenuous walk in the fit category lasting four to six hours including breaks. It starts at the Chateau in Whakapapa with the aim of exiting near the ski chairlift up above the top of Bruce Road. Mountain goat walking, scary sidles and impossible gullies.

Topo 50 BE33 Pirongia

A very tough tramp that covers next to no distance at all but requires a high level of fitness, a lot of tramping skill and nerves of steel at times. Comment of the day on the way in was “Pirongia defends herself well” – endless, steep rough ascents and re-ascents whilst on the way out it was “She does not let her visitors go easily”  (vicious descents and re-ascents).  However the feelings of satisfaction are high, the views – when they come –are worth it and it is a tramp that can be undertaken in pretty wild weather though if it was overly wet the mud sections would be a bit trying. At a rough estimate some 1,600 metres were ascended over the entire tramp with an overall gain in reaching the summit of 800 metres. This is an over-nighter as only the super fit / fast could do it in a day.

Topo50 Maps: BH38 Te Haroto, BG38 Wairapukao, BG39 Ruatahuna

Topo50 BH34 Raurimu & BH35 Turangi

An easy to moderate,  muddy, slightly tricky tramp of 5 hours using the Link Track which passes between Titiraupenga and Pureora then down to Bog Inn Hut in Kakaho Forest Park north west of Lake Taupo. The tramp executed here was from the forestry access road  up over Pureora and down to the Bog Inn Hut then out to another branch of the access road – hence your transport has to meet you at the exit car park. This is not a walk on pumice deposits hence the soils are heavier and the drainage is poor leaving the track very muddy in parts, very eroded due to run off and a lot of nimble footwork is required over the eroded areas plus the extensive surface-root system of the trees. It should be noted that this is a very active logging forest and care must be taken and roads are often closed due to felling activity, plus landmarks do vanish when clear felling has been carried out and new roads constructed for re-planting operations.  Hence it is well worth using a GPS unit in conjunction with your map and the data in the report.

This was first attempt at a new easy walk and, due to circumstances, little detail is available.  In fact the track was officially closed (June 2005) due to DOC work on some structures.  The notice board at the start of the track gives approximate times to reach the Kauri – the walk will be attempted again in the summer time and after checking with DOC if the track is open.   It should be noted that the track is not actually marked, beyond the first few hundred metres, on the 1:50,000 topographic map

This is a moderate walk based on distance alone since almost 22 kilometres are covered. Depending on whether there is active logging happening this tramp can be an out-and-back as described or an A-to-B walk exiting on SH5 for Taupo after including the Green Lake as well as the Blue. The walk starts in the magnificent Redwoods and passes through very varied forest after that, including some very regimented looking newer plantations of pine, to reach the Blue Lake which offers toilets and other facilities as a lunch stop.  Much of the walking is on well graded forest roads  - which can be boring and a bit of a route-march – whilst other sections are on good, almost back-country track.

Topo50 Map: BJ34-Mnt Ruapehu

An easy to moderate A to B walk of 5 to 6 hours using part of the round the mountain track and passing by the Whakapapaiti Hut. Some of the slopes soon after the start can be very slippery due to ice and snow and care is needed when the walk is done in winter time. There are two or three river / stream crossings but these are OK on stepping stones at the right time of year.  Come back into Whakapapa to the car park opposite the Chateau after passing through the caravan park and Whakapapa Lodge compound.  There are a few steady climbs in places but, overall, the altitude gain and loss is less than 400 metres.  With good weather fantastic views of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe can be obtained.

An easy 2 hour out and back or circular walk on a well formed track through Montane forest (beech / silver birch for the Europeans) to Silica Rapids passing Golden Rapids on the way.  Also pass the junctions to other short walks:  “The Whakakpapanui Track” and to the "Whakapapaiti Hut".  The out and back walk can be made circular by exiting to the Bruce Road from Silica Rapids – but this does mean some little distance walking on the road with traffic.

Topo50 Map: BJ34-Mnt Ruapehu

Topo50 BH34 Raurimu

Topo50: BH34 Raurimu &  BJ34 Mnt Ruapehu

A long 16km, circular walk in the moderate to fit category lasting about six and a half hours which starts and ends at the Chateau in Whakapapa. There is an overall altitude gain of about 240 metres up to Lower Tama Lake and the walk to this point is on good footpath with very little obvious ascending. The next part is off-track firstly heading NNW for about 2km to meet the Taranaki Stream which then flows WNW. The first part of this is relatively easy but once into the valley of the Taranaki Stream there are a few scrambles over rocks and up steep valley sides plus several stream crossings in wet weather or lots of rock hopping when the stream is dry. The latter part of the walk is on the footpath to Mangatepopo from Whakapapa – this path is not as well maintained.

Topo50 - BH34-Ruarimu & BJ34-Mnt Ruapehu

260TongariroT19&RuapehuT20                                                        

A relatively long but non-taxing walk of 5 - 6 hours over about 20km.  From the car park  near the desert highway into the old Waihohonu Hut  is an easy, if somewhat boring, walk taking between 1:15 and 1:30 min. The boring part is only boring if you have done it several times as the view of the mountain is great on clear days.  No difficult sections apart from a few steps in places.  From the old Waihohonu Hut there is a bit of a climb up the path towards the Oturere Hut but the slope eases once the path is left  and the NW ridge running up to Tama is followed.  No  poled path here but the footing is pretty good with the uppermost part of the ridge reached in a bit over an hour from the Hut. Near the top of the ridge  before the rocky summit the route loops off down-slope to the left / WNW – avoiding the bluffs – on to a long easy, sandy slope running to the SE and parallel to the ridge. From the high-point of the ridge to the bottom of the sandy slope (TR08) takes less than 30 minutes. An even easier route off the ridge heads into the valley and saves about 30 minutes of uphill grunt.  From the bottom of the sandy slope there is a river crossing then the “Round-the-Mountain” track is picked up and the Old (Historic) Waihohonu Hut  can be visited. After that it is basically the reverse of the start of the tramp and the 9 odd kilometres from the bottom of the sandy slope back to the car park takes plus or minus 2 hours 15 minutes.

Topo50 Map: BJ35 Waiouru

A relatively long but non-taxing walk of 5 hours over 20km which can be considered in sections: From the car park near the desert highway into the old Waihohonu Hut is an easy walk taking between 1:15 and 1:30 min. From the old Waihohonu Hut there is a bit of a climb up the path towards the Oturere Hut but the slope eases once the path is left  and the NW ridge running up to Tama is followed.  No path here but the footing is pretty good with the walk on the turn-off point on the ridge taking one hour from the Hut.

A moderate to fit six hour walk including coffee break and lunch stop.  Initially over a swing bridge then several minor stream crossings and latterly up a steep, rough, slippery, not-overused south facing slope with heavy vegetation.  Descent is on warmer, drier north facing slope through area of previous kauri logging.

Topo50 BH36 Motutere

Topo50 Series Map: BH37 Rangitaiki

A moderately hard, 21km out-and-back walk involving about 1,000m of ascent taking 5 - 7 hours which can be done on even a very wet, rainy day. Going outwards beyond 2 hours or so involves some serious downhill meaning a bit of a grunt on the return.  The path is pretty good most of the time though there are one or two slightly tricky bits due to windfalls and / or streamline crossings. This path can be walked even in inclement weather as the superb forest offers good shelter and the surface of the path is clean and relatively dry – there is no mud!  This is a superb forest area and there are some large trees still standing plus some of the artifacts from logging days can be seen.

Topo50: BD36 Lower Kaimai

Topo50: BD36 Lower Kaimai

Topo50 BD36 Lower Kaimai

A moderate hard in and out walk of just over 15km requiring about 7 hours but with a longish drive of 1:30 minutes to the start. The drive can be seen as the blue line in Figure 1 whilst the tramp is the red line and the target is a huge blue dome or ball on the end of Te Weraiti Ridge. The tramp starts at a fair altitude and starts off losing height to cross the Rataroa Stream. The rest of the walk is, at worst, undulating and starts on good track though there are muddy sections, a few stream crossings and some of the dreaded red slippery clays on the way down. The latter part is on more of a ribboned route than track and is hard going at times. The 500odd metres of altitude gain is mainly on the second half after crossing the North – South track. The profile shows the tramline is fairly gentle then the slopes increase – with the inwards plus outwards walk and the altitude this tramp cover the equivalent of almost 17km mainly in lush, wet broadleaf regrowth forest.  

& T20 Ruapehu

This is a three day, two-night, moderate to fit tramp passing the Waihohonu Hut and sleeping at the Otutere then Ketetahi Huts.  Being an A to B tramp transport is required to drop you at the start off SH1 and collect you off SH46. The objective of undertaking this tramp was to supervise three teenagers doing their D of E Silver award and the opportunity was taken to study the route and map accuracy – hence there is more data in this report than normal. Day one consists of 1:30 minutes walk into Waihohonu Hut on first rate, virtually level track then another 3 hours on to the Otutere Hut still on good track but which is steep in places.  There is about a 100 metre altitude gain to reach the Waihohonu Hut then a further gain of about 200 metres to the Otutere Hut.  Day two is a bit more strenuous but relatively short.   The walk consists of 3:30 minutes with some rather steep slopes, which are almost a scramble in some weather conditions, up to past Red Crater (altitude gain of about 600 metres) followed by a flat section past Blue Lake and Central Crater then a zig-zagging section down (altitude loss of about 290 metres) to the Ketetahi Hut. Day three is easy though it can be tiring as it is all down hill (altitude loss of about almost 700 metres) but there are a lot of steps and some parts are quite steep.  Allow 1:30 minutes to 2 hours from the hut to the car park on the gravel road which feeds out to SH46.  The huts are all first class; sleeping space for around 24 – but more can and do squeeze in, piped water system, gas cookers and gas heaters.  But they can be busy – especially the Ketetahi!

Topo50 BF34 Benneydale, BF35 Whakamaru & BG35 Tihoi

Topo50 Map: BF34 Benneydale, BF35 Whakamaru & BG35 Tihoi

An easy to moderate, muddy in places, slightly tricky tramp with lots of roots and “anti-hobbit” sized steps of 3:45 hours. A way-marked path is used which passes the beacon for the centre of the North Island ,  goes close to the top of Titiraupenga and then down to the YMCA Hut  on Arataki Road all in the Pureora Forest.

Topo50 Map: BF34 Benneydale, BF35 Whakamaru & BG35 Tihoi

Big track updates!!!

Pukahanui to Ohaku Road

A moderate+ three day tramp through very thick, mature native forest on back-country track – a bit of a challenge in places but with some fantastic giant trees to admire. There are several rather neat huts for over-night stops and refreshment breaks. Day 1 is classified as easy to moderate and requires 4 hours or less to cover the 11km to the Upper Te Hoe Hut. Day 2 is hard work with one 250metre non-stop grunt, superb walking on a shelf track cut into the bluffs for the stout of heart and the 17 odd km require about 7 hours with over 650m of ascent and descent to reach the Mangakahika Hut. Day 3 is moderate+ on distance alone with the GPS records showing just over 20km with 500m of descent and 300 of ascent covered in about 8 hours walking.

Topo50 Map: BC35 Paeroa

A hard circular tramp of around 6 hours covering 13.5km with over 900 metres of ascent and descent from the Domain in Te Aroha, up past the Tui Mine then over Te Aroha Summit with its giant communications mast and back down to the Domain.

Topo50 Series Map: BC35 Paeroa

A moderate to fit round-trip walk of 5 hours including coffee / tea stop and lunch break.  There are a few areas where scrambling is required up some of the low bluffs and rocky ridges.  The final descent into the small valley just before the hut can be a problem as some of the soft “scree” areas can freeze over and behave like the surface of slippery rock or glacier and caution must be used.  To avoid this area it is possible and  better to go higher up the final ridge and go around the top of this little valley. Return by a quicker route. Hut upgrading in March - April 2011

This tramp offers

1.    The Tupapakurua Falls and return to National Park in 4 – 5 hours

2.    Walk the length of Fisher Road down to Retaruke in about 4 – 5 hours

3.    Tupapakurua Falls then down the road to Retaruke in about 6 hours

Topo50 Series Map: BH35 Turangi

A moderate walk of about 4–5 hours depending on whether the Trig Point of Urchin is the target or if the walk is extended along the ridge to get a view down, or descend  into, the Waipakihi Valley or even access the new link track to Umukarikari. If the latter, it is an out and back trip of over 12km with almost 700metres of overall ascent and descent.  On a windy day this is a very exposed tramp and care must be taken but, if clear, the views are worth seeing. The track is good all the way with no “tricky” or “technical” bits at all and suitable for all trampers. The start is slightly user-unfriendly as it is straight uphill on leaving the car

Topo50 BH35 Turangi

260-W16 Waimana 

An easy to moderate tramp of just over 5 hours with very little altitude gain or loss involved through very pleasant native forest, saved by action taken by David Bellamy amongst others.  The track is generally very good and follows a route parallel to the Whirinaki River. On the return trip a deviation via the Waterfall Loop is used.  On the trail there is a Track Log Book, located about 7 minutes into the walk, which you should sign on the way in and out.  Also several of the native trees are identified with notices – these include Miro, Matai, Tawa, Khamahi and Totara.  There are also information boards about the “Podocarp” trees and also about local ducks. At Vern’s Camp, where there used to be a hut, there is a toilet and a picnic table in the middle of the clearing so a very pleasant stop can be had – if the weather is good.

A very pleasant easy to moderate 5 – 6 hour round trip from SH32 parallel to the Waihaha River up to the Waihaha Hut.  There is next to no climbing involved, the path is very good in most parts and passes many idyllic fishing spots in this very scenic valley. The trip in seems to take longer than the return but this is mainly due to the fact that everyone stops to check or identify the luxurious vegetation and check out the promising looking fishing spots.

This is an easy to moderate one-day tramp passing the new Waihohonu Hut , visiting the old historic Waihohonu Hut  then returning with a diversion to the Ohinepango Springs.  The first part consists of 1:30 to 1:45 minutes walk into Waihohonu Hut on first rate, virtually level track then having morning tea, though there is view-point after about 1 hour on the way in where a stop can be made.  Another 30 - 40 minutes takes you to the old Waihohonu Hut which now is classified as a historic building.     The next diversion is a  spur walk  to the Ohinepango Springs and it should be noted that there is one extremely steep, often slippery descent getting to and from the springs. There is, however, a rope on this slope to help get up and down.  The whole tramp can be completed in around 5 hours to 5:30 minutes and there is very little gain or loss of altitude on the walk.

Topo50 BJ35 Waiouru

A relatively long but non-taxing walk of 5 hours over 20km. From the car park  near the desert highway into the old Waihohonu Hut  is an easy, if somewhat boring, walk taking between 1:15 and 1:30 min. The boring part is only boring if you have done it several times as the view of the mountain is great on clear days.  No difficult sections apart from a few steps in places. From the old Waihohonu Hut there is a bit of a climb up the path towards the Oturere Hut but the slope eases once the path is left and the NW ridge running up to Tama is followed.  No path here but the footing is pretty good with the walk on the turn-off point on the ridge taking one hour from the Hut. Getting off the ridge northwards into the valley takes 10 – 20 minutes, depending on one’s skill at getting down a scree slope, then it is less than another half hour to the springs. The route out can be the reverse of inwards or a bit of bush bashing, with a stream crossing, down the river then up to meet the Oturere track and back to the new Waihohonu Hut.

Topo50 BG34 Piropiro + BG35 Tihoi

A very strenuous 7-9 hour A to B day tramp or a relatively relaxed overnighter stopping off at the Waihaha Hut.  Day one is hard work and the DOC quoted 6 hours are required whilst for Day two the 9km walk out from the hut to the Western Bays Road is an easy 3 hours. This tramp can be tackled in either direction but anti-clockwise is slightly easier – going anti-clockwise gives a total ascent of 694metres and a total descent of 900metres.

260    W18 Waikaremoana                                                             Topo50 BG39 Ruatahuna & BG40 Waikaremoana

Topo250 Sheet 10

Topo50: BG40 Waikaremoana

The drive from Taupo takes roughly 3 hours covering 160km. The tramp takes 4 days with 3 nights in DOC Huts. Day 1 comprises easy walking for 3:40minutes (12.5km) from the start at the swing bridge just off SH38 to the Waiharuru Hut, quite new and very spacious. Day 2 is 8 hours long, Day 3 is a day of ascending whilst day 4 is basically downhill off the Panekiri Bluffs. This is a challenging walk on un-manicured footpaths so strength and skill is required, especially for some of the ascents and in areas where problems have been caused by windfalls.  There is some really beautiful forest walking and the views of Lake Waikaremoana and the Panekiri Bluffs are outstanding.  There are several minor day and part-day walks that can be tackled from the camp ground as part of the recovery process after this Great Walk.

260-T16 Tokoroa

Topo50: BG34 Piropiro

This is a moderate 2 day tramp covering between 25 and 30km depending on the actual starting point. Tenting is inevitable as there is no convenient hut on the route, which is advertised as a 25km mountain bike track.  Most maps do not show any tracks in the area but some are shown on certain older maps and DoC have put up track markers in critical places – but not in sufficient number. Most of the walking is on good, often quad bike, tracks and there are 2 river crossings plus the odd pretty severe grunt. Not recommended if the party has no navigational skills and doubt if most bikers would enjoy it.

Topo50: BB35 Hikuai

A relatively easy, three hour round trip to large Kauri tree with eight river / stream crossings – dry in the dry season – and steep climbs on a  sometimes rocky path.

Topo50 BH35 Turangi & BH36 Motutere

A long, relatively strenuous tramp of 5 – 7 hours covering 14km each way, ascending over 900m on the way in and 500m on the way out. The high point is just off the summit of Umukarikari (1591m) whilst the hut is at about 1100m and the start at just over 700.  There is a bit of a brutal start as it is steep uphill as soon as the car park is exited into the beech forest. Once up through the forest the path is well marked but rather exposed on adverse weather days so beware since there are quite a few bluffs around. Some of the eroded steps should be repaired and upgraded soon (2010) but at present they are a challenge for Hobbits.   The new track sign for the Urchin track is a good indicator of progress and is a bit before the Umukarikari summit.  After the high point vegetation is a bit scarce but the views can be magnificent as the descent commences. The final hour down to the hut is a challenge as the track is very degraded, well gullied and often rocky and gravelly. The hut itself is superb and is in a great location for evening views.

Topo50: BH35 Turangi

An easy, if somewhat wet, tramp of 4 – 5 hours up the Waipakihi River and back.  The walk is wet because there are about 14 river crossings to be tackled. This number increases the further the tramp is extended.  There is a track in many places though it is not too distinct but walk direction is relatively simple as it follows the river.  The access from the Desert Highway plus GPS track of the walk can be seen on the map.  There is an altitude loss of just over 50 metres from the car park down to the first river crossing then a gradual gain of the same amount walking up the valley to the point reached on this outing.  Total walk distance inwards, as mapped, is 7.6km (GPS) giving over 15 km for the round trip.

The walk is best described as moderate plus with an almost non-stop, unrelenting climb from the word go till the crest above the top of the Wairere waterfall is reached.  Most of this path is well groomed, not overly steep and there are several sections of steps and ladders, with platforms, large rocks and boardwalks.  Once at the top the terrain is, at first, a well nigh level plain which can be boggy at times. The Wairere then the North tracks are followed and to reach the Puketutu Hut there is a small, poorly marked track branching off near an animal gravesite.  This track takes about an hour with a slight grunt uphill.  Being an out-and-back walk one can turn back at any time but the full walk requires 4 hours outwards and about 3 hours return. The final descent can be made “exciting” if the old Maori Trail down is followed – not recommended for the wary or unfit.

Topo50: BH34 Raurimu &  BJ34 Mnt Ruapehu

BQ23 Wangapeka Saddle

BQ24 Tapawera

A very hard five day four nights tramp on some of the toughest back-country tracks tackled for a long time.  Many very tricky sections, wicked ascents and descents – some of them on or past landslips. Good huts all the way and not overly busy whilst the South Island Robins were a delight every day. Walking times may seem very slow but the average age of the party was over 68 and many people had commented in the hut books that times quoted on track notices were not quite accurate enough and virtually all trampers took a lot longer than the DoC times!

Topo50: BG36-Taupo

Topo50 BJ34 Mnt Ruapehu

260 T20 Ruapehu

Topo50 BJ34 Mnt Ruapehu

A fairly strenuous walk in the moderate to fit category lasting four to five hours including breaks. It starts and ends at the Chateau in Whakapapa and can be lengthened or shortened at will or as the weather dictates.  The plan on the day was to continue to the SSW on the Pinnacles Ridge as far as possible until a descent was made near the chairlift up above Happy Valley – low cloud and very poor visibility made this impossible as there are bluffs all around in the area to be accessed.  The exit used on the day was to head back down the Pinnacles Ridge then descend steeply into the Wairere Stream and follow that back to meet the Tama Lakes track and hence back to Whakapapa.

Topo50 BJ34-Mnt Ruapehu

An easy 2 hour out and back or circular walk on a well formed track through Montane forest (beech / silver birch for the Europeans) basically following the Whakapapanui stream down stream from near the Chateau in Whakapapa Village.  Nothing spectacular on this track but nice secluded forest which is pretty wet in parts with a lot of lichens and moss on the trees plus some mistletoe on the trees, look for the anti-possum bands. 

An easy walk of 3 to 4 hours, depending if the waterfall is visited, going into and out of this Marae. You are on good gravel road most of the time and the going is only slightly rough in places where there has been rock-fall from the new motor access road onto the path in the gully. There is an abundance of birdlife with Tui, Fan-tails and many others seen and heard in the forested parts whilst sheep are seen everywhere in the farmland.This walk is on private land hence permission required.

Topo50 BG38 Wairapukao

Several variations of moderate to fit walks are possible but this note basically covers walking from the car park on Plateau Road in the forest area to Minginui via the Central Whirinaki Hut and the “cave”.   This is a long walk of 24km and has to be tackled at a relatively hard pace to ensure reaching the goal well before dark since there is still along drive back to Taupo from Minginui via Murupara and Rainbow Mountain on SH5 since the short cut via Goudies Road has been closed.  Access to the starting point on Plateau Road is not too easy and use of the map or, better, someone who knows the way acting as a guide is essential. Depending on the route chosen a permit can be required for accessing this area through the forest. However, there is a public access route available and this is described and mapped.

Topo50 BF35 Whakamaru