Snowdon Forest tramping tracks

Tramping track

Getting there

Public access points into Snowdon Forest are from legal roads or riverside marginal strips and marked on the area map.

Most marginal strips are suitable for walking access only.

Any other access into Snowdon Forest is across private/Landcorp land and permission must be obtained beforehand and contact details of adjoining properties are listed below: 

Te Anau Downs Station - Ph: +64 3 249 7652

The land area to the east of the Te Anau Downs/Eglinton Rivermouth Road is private property and to hunt this area permission is required. Permission for access will depend on the time of year, farming operations and recreational activity by the people requesting access.

Takaro Lodge - Ph: +64 3 249 0161

Phone for permission to use the existing 4WD access through to Upukerora Valley between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm. This will usually be granted but will depend on farming activity. The track is not all on marginal strip land and no one has the legal right to use this track without permission.

Glen Echo Station - Ph: +64 3 249 9242

Permission must be sought to cross freehold land between the marginal strip and Snowdon Forest. Walking times from the road access bridge to the legal access point into Snowdon Forest following the marginal strip is 3.5 to 4 hours. Vehicle access along the marginal strip beside the Whitestone River is not possible without crossing private land.

Mararoa Downs - Ph: +64 3 249 8095

Permission to cross Mararoa Downs to gain access to Snowdon Forest must be obtained. Landcorp Properties Access through any Landcorp land must have the permission of the farm manager as listed below: Dale Farm - Ph: +64 3 249 7281

Phone for permission to cross this farm to gain access to the Upukerora River after first obtaining permission to enter Takaro Lodge property.

Eweburn Farm - Ph: +64 3 249 7543

Phone for permission to cross this farm to gain access to the Upukerora River after first obtaining permission to enter Takaro Lodge property.

Haycocks Farm - Ph: +64 3 249 8055

Fishing access to the Mararoa River is available through this farm at marked points along the Centre Hill/Mavora Road. This is walking access only.

Hikuraki Station - Ph: +64 3 249 8014

Access to the swingbridge is signposted just past the manager’s house and is suitable for vehicles in dry weather.

Description

Swingbridge to South Mavora Lake

Time: 2 hr 30 min

From the swingbridge 1.5 km from Hikuraki Station, a track follows the true right of the Mararoa River to a swingbridge at the outlet of South Mavora Lake. This is mainly flat walking with some muddy sections.

Swingbridge to Kiwiburn Hut

Time: 1 hr 30 min

Turning left from the swingbridge 1.5 km from Hikuraki Station, a track follows down the true right of the Mararoa River to near the junction with the Kiwi Burn. It then follows up the Kiwi Burn for 15 minutes to a large clearing. The Kiwi Burn Hut, an ideal over-night stay for a family with younger children is sited near the bush edge.

Kiwi Burn Round Trip

Time: 3 hr 30 min

From the swingbridge 1.5 km from Hikuraki Station a marked route enters the forest and passes through several small clearings. A low ridge is crossed before descending into the Kiwi Burn. Heading up the Kiwi Burn an unmarked route leads to the Whitestone River; downstream a marked route leads to the Kiwi Burn Hut and returns via the Kiwi Burn and Mararoa River.

Kiwi Burn to Whitestone River

Time: 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr

The track into the Whitestone River valley follows on up the Kiwi Burn from the hut to a low bush saddle then descends to the Whitestone River. It then follows the river downstream on the true left side. This is pleasant walking with good camping on the open river flats. Use of portable stoves is encouraged; a permit from DOC Te Anau is required to use an open fire.

Whitestone River Valley - Upukerora River Valley (marked route)

Time: 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr 30 min

Follow downstream for about 45 minutes from where the track enters from the Kiwi Burn. A sign indicates the land is private and you must stay within 20 metres of the river. After another 20 minutes track markers on the opposite side show the start of the 2 hour bush track through to the Upukerora River. This section of track can be very wet and muddy.

Once in the Upukerora Valley, the Army Hut (4 bunks) is sited about 1 hour up the valley, on the true left of the river.

Upukerora Valley to Milford Road (marked route)

Time: 5 hr - 6 hr

Follow the Upukerora River down from the point where the track comes in from the Whitestone. Cross the Upukerora River and follow the 4WD track to near Dunton Swamp: a swampy clearing to the northwest. The edge of the swamp is followed then the track enters bush country, passing occasional clearings until Retford Stream is reached.

The track then crosses terraces and some small clearings. The open country you will see to the west is private land and permission must be obtained from Te Anau Downs Station to cross or hunt. Boyd Creek and the Milford Road will be reached in 3 hours from the Retford Stream.

Milford Road to Boyd Creek Tops (marked route)

Time: 2 hr 30 min - 3 hr 30 min

From the picnic area at Boyd Creek follow the vehicle track towards Boyd Creek Lodge. For permission contact Te Anau Downs Station. After 10 minutes the track enters the bush and is followed to the open tops. A large clearing marks the approx halfway point. From the bush edge you have a choice of routes; one is a crossing to the upper Upukerora.

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Plan and prepare

Dogs are permitted for most of the year except during the lambing and calving period - September to November.

The tracks in Snowdon Forest are used infrequently; many are marked routes only.

Those to South Mavora Lake, Kiwi Burn Hut and the Whitestone River are checked and cleared once a year. The others are checked for markers yearly and cleared every three years. Some sectors can be very wet underfoot.

Trampers and hunters should be well equipped.

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

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