Poads Road to Waiopehu Hut

Time: 4-5 hr

Note: The original Te Araroa route went to Te Matawai Hut via Ōhau valley. This track is closed due to a slip, so the new route is via Waiopehu Hut, as described here.

The track to Waiopehu Hut begins at Poads Road end, in the Tararua foothills behind Levin.

The first kilometre of the track is across private farmland before the park boundary is reached. As you enter the Tararua Forest Park you will come to a track junction. Take the right hand track, which goes up the hill towards Waiopehu Hut. From this junction it is around 8 km to Waiopehu Hut.

The track climbs, increasingly steeply, until it reaches the top of a long ridge. The track follows this ridge all the way to Waiopehu Hut. There is no water (including no side streams) during the climb, so pack at least 2L of water per person.

The ridge is forested and there are few viewpoints, so it can be difficult to assess how far along the ridge you are. The most notable point along the ridge is Bushy Corner, a distinctive turn in the ridge about two thirds of the way to the hut.

Shortly before the hut you leave the forest and enter low alpine scrub. On clear days, there are good views across the Horowhenua plains and east to the Tararua high peaks.

There is no fireplace or other form of heating at Waiopehu Hut, so it gets very cold, particularly in winter or during bad weather. Make sure you carry lots of warm and dry clothes to change into at the hut, as well as a good sleeping bag.

Waiopehu Hut to Te Matawai Hut

Time: 4 hr
Distance: 6 km

Follow the track from Waiopehu Hut to the Waiopehu summit (1094 m). From here, the track continues on to Twin Peak (1097 m), where there is a memorial beacon.

From Twin Peak, the track descends down a ridge, then climbs to Richards Knob (985 m). There is a track junction at Richards Knob. To continue to Te Matawai Hut, take the right hand track along Dora Ridge. 

Follow the track along Dora Ridge, which descends around to Butcher Saddle (690 m), then climbs steeply to another high point (810 m) and a track junction. Here, you reach the junction of Yeates Track (to South Ohau Hut) and Dora Track to Te Matawai Hut.

Follow Dora Track as it leads south-west along Dora Ridge. Te Matawai Hut is situated in the bush, just above the 900 m high point.

Te Matawai Hut to Dracophyllum Hut

Time: 2-3 hr
Distance: 7 km

There is open alpine terrain between Pukematawai and Butcher Knob. You will be fully exposed to the alpine environment through this section of track. Freezing temperatures, extreme wind and rain/snow are common, even in summer. In winter you will need advanced mountaineering skills and gear. If the weather is poor, we recommend waiting in Te Matawai Hut until the weather improves.

From Te Matawai Hut, follow Dora Track up Dora Ridge. You will soon come to a track junction – take the right-hand track which leads up towards Pukematawai, Arete, and Dracophyllum Hut. (The left-hand track leads down to Girdlestone Saddle, with routes to South Ohau Hut and Mangahao Flats Hut.)

Continue following the Dora Track up to Pukematawai. The track leaves the bush as you approach the peak, then skirts around the edge of Pukematawai just below the high point (1432 m), with a short side trail leading to the summit. There are steep drops near the track in places.

At this turnoff to the Pukematawai summit, the track veers sharply to the south-west to follow the main Tararua Range. The track descends from Pukematawai. The ridge is often very steep and you can expect steep drops beside the track and rocky sections that you have to scramble over.

Follow the track along the top of the ridge all the way to Dracophyllum Hut, passing Butcher Knob (1158 m) approximately halfway between Pukematawai and Dracophyllum Knob.

Dracophyllum Hut is situated just below Dracophyllum Knob (1117 m). 

Dracophyllum Hut to Nichols Hut

Time: 3 hr
Distance: 5.3km

Continue following the track south along the top of the main range. As with the track to Dracophyllum Hut, there are steep drops beside the track and rocky sections that you have to scramble over. Approximately one third of the way to Nichols, you will pass the Puketoro high point (1152 m).

As you approach Nichols the track climbs steadily and leaves the bush.

From the bush line, the track becomes a route. Follow the marker poles up to the Nichols summit, then along the ridge to the west. The hut is situated amid low alpine scrub on a side-route just off the ridge, after the Nichols high point.

Nichols Hut to Waitewaewae Hut

Time: 5 hr

This section of track covers the highest point on the Tararua section of Te Araroa. Extreme weather (for example, strong winds and freezing temperatures) is common even in summer and can be highly dangerous.

The track between Nichols Hut and Shoulder Knob is a route rather than a formed track, and you will need to navigate yourself using marker poles and your navigational aids (e.g. map and compass).

Navigation on Tararua alpine routes can be very difficult in bad weather – visibility can reduce so much that it is hard to see the marker poles. We recommend waiting at the hut for good weather before attempting the alpine section from Nichols to Shoulder Knob.

From Nichols Hut, follow the route west along the main range. The route climbs the ridge towards the summit of Mt Crawford (1462 m).

From the Mt Crawford summit, the route descends to Junction Knob (1375 m). Here you will find a track junction – a route turns west off Junction Knob towards Shoulder Knob, while another route continues south along the main range towards Anderson Memorial Hut. Take the turn-off to Shoulder Knob, which will be signposted to Waitewaewae Hut.

Follow this route as it descends to Shoulder Knob (1310 m). Not long after Shoulder Knob, the route reaches the bush line and becomes a marked track again.

Once you are back in the bush, the track descends all the way to the Ōtaki River valley. This is a long descent – losing over 900 m of elevation – and is very steep in places. The descent is physically demanding and often comes at the end of the day when walkers are tired, so take your time on this section to avoid tripping and falling.

When the track reaches the valley floor, it crosses the Ōtaki River over a swing bridge. The track then follows the edge of the river for a short distance to Waitewaewae Hut. The hut is situated near the river.

Waitewaewae Hut to Ōtaki Forks

Time: 5-7 hr

From Waitewaewae Hut, the track sidles around a large bend in the Ōtaki River. It crosses a small side stream, then sidles to Arapito Creek. The crossing point at Arapito Creek is marked with large orange triangles. After the crossing, the track follows the true right of the creek then climbs towards the plateau, crossing several side streams on the way.

After reaching the plateau the gradient levels out. The track crosses the plateau to reach Saddle Creek. This is approximately the halfway point.

The track sidles for some time, crossing multiple side streams, including Papa Creek. It crosses the top of a large slip, then descends to a swing bridge over the Ōtaki River. The track leads over a river terrace, then crosses a swing bridge over the Waiotouru River to reach the main Ōtaki Forks car park.

There are several sections on the Waitewaewae Track that are hard to manoeuvre around – extra care is required. 

Aside from the bridges over the Ōtaki and Waiotouru Rivers, all stream crossings are unbridged. These streams can rise rapidly and flood after rain, so assess them carefully before crossing and do not attempt to cross if you have any doubt about safety.

You can start this track from Poads Road or Ōtaki Forks.

Poads Road

• Follow Gladstone Road out of Levin and up the Ōhau valley.
• For the Poads Road track entrance, turn onto Poads Road and cross the Ōhau River over a road bridge. Follow Poads Road to the end.

Ōtaki Forks

• Follow Ōtaki Gorge Road up the river to Ōtaki Forks car park.
• There was a major slip in 2022 which closed Ōtaki Gorge Road to pedestrians and vehicles. Check the status of the road and emergency track options before planning to enter/exit the track at Ōtaki Forks.

If you are tramping Te Araroa, these are the other tracks that make up the trail route through the Tararua Forest Park:

• Managhao Makahika Track
• Burtton's Track 
• Pukeatua Track

Be prepared for extreme weather, especially on the Tararua tops

The Tararua Range is known for wild, unpredictable and extreme weather. There can be high winds, freezing temperatures, heavy rain, snow and low visibility at any time of year.

The most dangerous areas are the open tops, where you are fully exposed to the alpine weather. People have died tramping on the Tararua tops.

When tramping in the Tararua Range:

• Always carry a distress beacon. You can hire these at many outdoor stores.
• Check the weather and plan your trip for when good weather is forecast. Forecast for Arete Hut and forecast for Waitewaewae Hut.
• Watch for weather changes. If the weather is bad or deteriorating, wait in a hut or find shelter. We recommend only attempting the alpine sections of the track in good weather.
• Plan extra time into your trip, so you can adjust your plans around the weather.
• Pack lots of warm and waterproof clothes, as well as spare food in case you are delayed by weather or high rivers. Pack and know how to use your navigational equipment (e.g. a map and compass) and take an emergency shelter.
• Wear tramping boots with good ankle support.

Stay safe when crossing rivers

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

Do not cross if the river is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

How to cross rivers safely

Expect mud, rough, backcountry tracks and a section of unmarked route

This is a typical backcountry tramping track. It is rough and uneven, and you can expect to be scrambling up and down tree roots. Some sections of the track are very muddy. In the alpine section, there are steep drops beside the track.

A section of the trail along the tops is an unformed route, rather than a track. There are marker poles but take particular care through this section and make sure you are going the right way. Wait for good weather, as navigation will be very difficult in low visibility.

No dogs allowed

This track crosses private farmland (at both ends of the track) and no dogs are allowed.