The Arcus Loop commemorates the Arcus family who farmed the Ōtaki Forks locality from the 1930s.

The walk begins on Boielle Flat and crosses the Waiotauru River footbridge, then works its way across the river terraces and gullies as it climbs to join the Field Track. There are good views of the campground and river.

Ōtaki Forks is 19 km inland from Ōtaki township – approximately 1 hr 30 min drive from Wellington or Palmerston North. The easiest turnoff from SH1 is at Ōtaki Gorge Road, just south of the SH1 bridge over the Ōtaki River. The last 5 km of the Gorge Rd is closed due to a slip. Access is by walking only.

There is an emergency track that you can walk to gain access to Ōtaki Forks. It is 5 km long and can be accessed 200 m past the locked gate on the Ōtaki Gorge Road. 

• Ōtaki Gorge emergency track
• Map of the emergency track (PDF, 2,290K).