Smith Creek - Tauherenikau River
Track category
Tramping track
Time:
4 hr return
Distance:
13 km
Description
This 4 hr return daytrip in the southern Tararua Range takes you over the Puffer Saddle and down Smith Creek with its fine stands of red/hard beech forest, to its confluence with the Tauherenikau River.
You can also walk further up the Tauherenikau valley to Marchant Creek for views of the river and the young podocarp forest regenerating in the manuka on the flats.
Getting there
Turn off State Highway 2 onto Marchant Road at the YMCA Camp Kaitoke turnoff and follow the road to the carpark at the end of the road. An alternative start to the walk is from the YMCA Camp Kaitoke where safe parking is provided for a small fee.
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.