In the Mangaokewa Reserve, this track follows the Mangaokewa River throughout. It does not have destination signage right now but the stiles are in place, also the orange markers, a bridge across one big gut, and corduroy swamp crossings.

From the North end, be aware that other tracks lead away on both sides of the river so don't cross the little swing bridge (a signposted track leads away over the bridge to a waterfall a couple of kilometres upriver). Our track is on the true left of the river - i.e. as you face upstream, it leads into the bush on the right hand/west side of the river.

The first 2.5 kms of bush is groomed and nearly predator free thanks to the Mangaokewa Reserve Trust, which has also released native birds in there. You’ll pass a huge kahikatea, and through the riverside bush may glimpse stalactites encrusting the far edge of the limestone gorge. The trail then crosses a fence we put in to keep sheep out of the reserve and breaks into farmland.

Just beyond here you’ll see one of the best sights of the walk - primeval forest on the far side of the river - the unfarmed side. The track stays on farmland, passes an abandoned dunny, glissades through totara groves and has some great picnic spots on the way through. It enters the shade of pine and eucalypt forest near the southern end, then follows a farm track that takes you through to Mangaokewa North Road (note: there'll be a gate on a grass median track which evolves into a road).

Note: There's no camping or accommodation here. If wanting to be picked up, you'll need to have pre-organised transport out - it's a long way from anywhere and there's zilch traffic.