Waitengaue Track

Tramping track

Time:  

4 hr one way

Distance:  

9.8 km

Getting there

Waitengaue Track begins on Woodlands road, off SH 2 North of Katikati.

Description

From Woodlands Road the track follows the fence line.  A suspension bridge crosses the Wairoa Stream to a track junction.  The Wairoa Pack Track branches off to the left and the Waitengaue Track is on the right.  The track heads westward before crossing the Waitengaue Stream.  Shortly the track crosses the stream (a rough emergency bypass avoids the two stream crossings) and back to the true right.  It follows the river and then a side creek before climbing over a saddle to the former Waitengaue Hut site.

The track crosses the Waitengaue Stream before joining the path of the former Waitengaue tramway and heading upstream, crossing twice. A junction with the track to Ananui Falls and Bluff Stream is reached. The track then crosses the stream and continues along the tramway. It follows this up a tributary, then over a saddle before descending into the Waitawheta Valley. It meets the Waitawheta Tramway Track. 100m to the right of the junction is the Waitawheta Hut, built on an old mill site.

Activities

Plan and prepare

You must be well prepared when tramping on conservation land, especially on the longer day walks.  Ensure you have strong, comfortable boots, warm clothing, a good raincoat, first aid kit, food and drink, a hat and sunscreen.  It is also advisible that you leave your tramping intentions with a responsible person, in case you get lost.

Please consult a topographic map.

Mountain biking is not permitted.

What to expect on a tramping track:

• Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
• Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
• Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
• Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
• Tramping/hiking boots required