Description

Introduction

This shared-use track includes an overnight stop at an historic hut and amazing views from the top of the Moerangi saddle (955 m). Listen for the piercing calls of kiwi at night.

Day 1: Okahu Rd to Rogers Hut (Te Wairoa)

Time: 3 hr 30 min
Distance: 13 km

Begin at the Okahu Road end; its 2 hr (7 km) from there to Skips Hut (Whangatawhia). From Skips Hut the track climbs up over a saddle before tracking down to Rogers Hut. Rogers Hut is one of the original deer culler huts in the Whirinaki and is constructed of massive beech slabs and even has a stained-glass window! Keep an eye out for the whio/blue duck in the stream next to the hut.

Skips Hut (Whangatawhia)

Skips Hut (Whangatawhia)

Category: Standard
Facilities: 9 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Bookings not required - first come, first served
Rogers Hut (Te Wairoa)

Rogers Hut (Te Wairoa)

Category: Standard
Facilities: 6 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Bookings not required - first come, first served

Day 2: Rogers Hut to Moerangi Hut

Time: 3 hr
Distance: 9 km

From Rogers it's an easy walk to the next overnight destination: Moerangi Hut. Moerangi Hut is located about 500 m up a slight detour from the main track. There are plenty of kiwi around the hut so listen for their shrill calls as night falls.

Moerangi Hut

Moerangi Hut

Category: Standard
Facilities: 9 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Bookings not required - first come, first served

Day 3: Moerangi Hut to River Rd

Time: 4 hr 30 min
Distance: 13 km

The final day of walking includes a big climb over the Moerangi Saddle. The saddle tops out at 955 m and has spectacular views of the Rangitaiki Plains far below. As the track travels down from the saddle it enters lowland podocarp forest. Walk among the giant trees until you end at the River Rd carpark.

Getting there

Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is 90 km south east of Rotorua.

From Murupara travel south east along Te Whaiti Rd. Once you reach Te Whaiti this road becomes Ruatahuna Rd. Continue along this road for a further 7.5 km until you reach a right hand turn to Okahu Valley Rd. The car park is 9 km south on Okahu Valley Rd. Alternatively, from Te Whaiti turn left onto Minginui Road and follow the signs to River Road car park.

Note: The mountain bike track starts from the Okahu Valley Rd end.

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BG38 (Wairapukao), BG39 (Ruatahuna)

Know before you go

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.

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