Whakapapaiti Valley Track
Track category
Tramping track
Time:
4-5 hours
Distance:
16 kilometre loop (including the Bruce Road section), or 11 kilometers one-way (transport required)
Description
Whakapapaiti stream, Whakapapaiti
track
The track can be walked in either direction, but is described anti-clockwise.
Follow Silica Rapids Track for about 45 minutes to the junction with Whakapapaiti Track.
The track goes through forest then an open tussock-covered area. There is a bridged crossing of Whakapapaiti River, then the track continues up the valley, passing the junction with Mangahuia Track (2-3 hours to campsite).
Further up the valley there is an unbridged river crossing - it may not be possible to cross safely when the river is high following or during rainfall. Whakapapaiti Hut is 10-15 minutes further up the track.
Leaving the hut, the track winds its way through stunted beech forest, then up the valley to the Round the Mountain Track junction. Turn left here towards Bruce Road.
The track zig-zags up and over a moraine ridge with great views of Whakapapaiti Valley and the surrounding landscape. Continue to the Scoria Flat area on the Bruce Road. Form here it is approximately 5 kilometres down the road to Whakapapa Village.
Getting there
The Whakapapaiti Valley track begins in Whakapapa Village 250m above the Whakapapa Visitor Centre. The upper section begins 5km up the Bruce Road from Whakapapa Village.
Plan and prepare
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Before starting out, check the weather forecast and track conditions, and be prepared for wet / cold / windy conditions - Tongariro National Park weather is extremely changeable at any time of the year, including summer.
Heavy rain causes increased water flows in all streams and rivers in the park. Not all crossings are bridged. Some rivers, especially on the longer walks, may become difficult or impossible to cross.
Giardia may be present in some streams in the park. We recommend you treat all water before you drink it.
back to top