Oroua carpark to Iron Gate Hut

Time: 4-5 hr

Walk along the Iron Gate Hut Track past the Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge and up the Oroua River valley to Iron Gate Hut. The hut is situated beside the river on the true left.

Iron Gate Hut to Longview Hut

Time: 5-6 hr

The track to Longview climbs steeply up a ridge for 2-3 hours onto the tussock tops of the Ruahine Range at about where the Ngamoko Range joins them. Due to travel on the unmarked open tops this section should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather. Snow can occur any time of year. Once on the crest of the range head north passing a trig. The ridge descending to Longview Hut heads off to the right between this trig point and the high point of Otumore (unbeaconed) further ahead. Follow the track down across the Pohangina Saddle to a lower part of the main range. Longview Hut is situated just off the main track to Kashmir Road with excellent views out to Hawke’s Bay.

Longview Hut to Kashmir Roadend

Time: 2-3 hr

From Longview Hut follow the main track on down to the carpark at the end of Kashmir Road.

Just past the village of Kimbolton turn right onto Apiti Road which then becomes Oroua Valley Road. Go through Apiti and take the second turn right onto Table Flat Road and continue for several kms. Turn left onto Petersons Road. Take this road to the carpark on farmland at the end of the road.

You will need to arrange transport as this is a west-east crossing of the Ruahine Forest Park and the start and finish points for this hike are different.

Longview Hut - gas cookers removed

The gas cooking facilities at the hut have been permanently removed. The Department of Conservation will continue to supply firewood to the hut, which will provide heating and also a cooking source via the woodstove installed but it is advisable to take your own cookers. The hut will remain listed as a 'serviced' hut.