Kelly Knight Hut Track
Alert/Important notice
There is a slip on the track.
There is some windfall around the slip, but it is passable with care.
Track category
Tramping track
Time:
2 hr 30 min - 3 hr 30 min
Description
From the parking spot follow the markers across farmland for about 30 min to the Ruahine Forest Park boundary. From here the track sidles above the Pourangaki River dropping in and out of sidecreeks. At times the track is narrow with steep drops to the river. Nearer to the hut a track off to the left heads up to the Hikurangi Range with options of heading to Purity or Waterfall Huts. A short distance further on a swingbridge (difficult for small children) crosses the Pourangaki River and Kelly Knight Hut is reached.
Getting there
Heading just north from Mangaweka turn right off SH1, cross the Rangitikei River and follow Kawhatau Valley Road. This eventually leads to Upper Kawhatau Valley Road and not far past this turn right onto Mangakukeke Road. Follow this and just before the Purity Track carpark at the end turn right into Kohunui Station. Follow the farm road until you reach the parking sign and track start.
Prior permission for access to cross Kohunui Station is required. Please note that this access is closed to the public during calving, and may be closed at other times during the year for farm management purposes. Access can be arranged by phoning +64 6 382 5577 at breakfast or in the evening. You must speak to the farm manager - messages will not be responded too. The continued use of access across Kohunui Station is dependent on every party gaining permission from the farm manager every time.
Alternatively, you can leave your car at the Purity Hut carpark and walk the farm road. You will need to allow an extra hour of walking time.
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.
Location map
