Mount Shrimpton Track
Tramping track
Time:
5 hr return
Distance:
6 km
Getting there
The carpark for this track and the Makarora Nature Walk is just north of DOC's Makarora visitor centre on SH6.
About the area
The Makarora region of Mount Aspiring National Park offers a number of tramping opportunities. Many of the tracks follow the river valleys that branch off the Makarora River and range from one-day walks to challenging four- to five-day tramps.
Description
Through the beech forest on the Mount
Shrimpton Track
From the carpark follow the nature walk through the forest of silver beech and podacarp species: matai, miro, kahikatea and rimu. Keep an eye out for the birdlife too, including kārearea/NZ falcon, kererū/wood pigeon and kea.
A sign indicates where the Mount Shrimpton Track branches off. From here on the track climbs steeply to come out above the bushline. This is a good opportunity to ramble around this special upland environment, and get great views of the Makarora Valley and the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.
Plan and prepare
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