The track climbs 800 m from Lake Ohau over the Ohau Range to the Ahuriri River. This is through the Ruataniwha and Ahuriri Conservation Parks. The track has no obvious ground trail for long stretches and the markers are often distant. That said, the East Ahuriri Track is a gem and provides a good transitional tramp for moderately experienced trampers looking to go the next step, off the heavily used and well-groomed tracks where they’ve learned their craft and onto Te Araroa’s more remote and demanding sections.
The track starts next to the Glen Mary Ski Club and traverses to Freehold Creek. It then climbs through beech forest to the tree line. It’s a well marked and clearly formed track to this point – a good day walk for anyone wanting a return trip from the Ski Club.
From the tree line the track is unformed and lightly marked but finding the way will still be fairly obvious if you’re well prepared. The going becomes slow and it’s reasonably rough underfoot as you cross the range and head down the East Ahuriri Valley but travel quickens as the terrain eases lower down.
Just before the track ends trampers encounter the Ahuriri River which, in normal flows, is the largest unbridged river on Te Araroa in the South Island. If it’s unsafe to ford, however, there is a road bridge 5 km downstream. This provides the bailout option.
The track starts on the 4 wheel drive track next to Glen Mary Ski Club and climbs to join with the marked Parsons MTB track, which traverses across to Sawyers Creek and beyond to Freehold Creek.
Once at Freehold Creek follow DOC markers up through the beech forest remnant to an informal camp site. The treeline is just a few minutes further along.
Beyond the treeline the track initially follows the poles and light ground trail towards Dumb-bell Lake. This is on the true right of Freehold Creek. The East Ahuriri Track peels off this track in a southwest direction towards point 1374 but it is not obviously marked lower down. There is a marker pole at S44 16.669 E169 46.015 and from here there are regular poles (though they are not always visible from one to the next) along the east side of the swamp between points 1516 and 1489. The poles continue on this line until the beginning of the descent into the East Ahuriri. This is at the bluffs immediately east of point 1374.
Descend with care to the East Ahuriri River. From here travel is downstream by the most practical route. There are only infrequent markers, just enough for occasional reassurance if any is needed. There are a few river crossings but these are straightforward in normal flows.
The track climbs and sidles above the true right bank when it needs to avoid two gorged sections. Along the way a hut becomes visible in the distance on the true left side of the river but this is derelict.The going becomes easier as the river opens up lower down.
The track reaches the first line of pine trees as it emerges into the wider Ahuriri Valley. There are more pine trees further along as you continue straight ahead towards the Ahuriri River.
Follow the fence down to the Ahuriri's Bank and look across for the track markers on the other side. They continues about 50m downstream from the 4WD track that cuts down far bank. Once you’ve identified this spot it’s time to look for a safe place to cross the river.
Note: if the Ahuriri cannot be forded safely continue downstream for about 5 km to the Ireland Road Bridge. It is then about the same distance back up Birchwood Rd to the trailhead.
From the far side of the river the track follows marker poles straight up the steep bank. The track then turns left and follows the top of the river bank to the next fence line, which marks a right hand turn and the final walk out to the trailhead on Birchwood Rd. There is a carpark across the road, which is where Te Araroa’s next section starts - the Breast Hill Track.
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