This section involves 3-6 days through forest and alpine terrain and includes many steep ascents and descents.It begins at 150m above sea level and reaches its highest point at Mount Crawford 1462m.
Weather in the Tararua Ranges is notorious for deteriorating rapidly. Be prepared for extreme conditions at all times.
Be prepared to wait out storms. Snow can fall in any season.
The section is divided into three stages of 1-2 days each, depending on fitness and weather conditions.
1) Poads Road(Levin)-Te Matawai Hut (900m), via Waiopehu Hut(960m)
2) Te Matawai Hut -Nichols Hut (1160m) via Dracophyllum Hut
3)Nichols Hut -Parawai Hut (Otaki Forks,Road End. 100m) via Waitewaewae Hut (310m)
Section 1:
Poads Road (150m) to Waiopehu Hut (960M 18 bunks) invloves a climb of 1000m and descent of 200m. Time 4-5 hours. Distance 10km.
If exiting the Managhao Makahika Track, walk approximately 7km down Gladstone Road to Poads Road on left.
From Levin, take transport from Levin for 7km to car park at end of Poads Road where there is a DoC map and display. The track initially crosses private farmland.
The Ridge Track to Waiopehu Hut veers right soon after entering the bush. The track is marked through the forested areas and the alpine aras follow a very defined ridge with some marking where possible.There is a pleasant lunch spot at a clearing about 1/2 hour before the hut. The Waiopehu Hut is at the bushline offering good views across the plains and east to Tararua high peaks.
Waiopehu to Te Matawai Hut climbs over Waiopehu Peak (1094m), Twin Peak (1097m), Richards Knob (985m) descends to Butchers Saddle (690m) before climbing to Te Matawai Hut. Ascent 500m, Descent 600m Time 4 hours. Distance 6km.
Climb the 100 vertical metres to shoulder of Waiopehu Peak, then desend and climb Twin Peak (with memorial for person killed in major storm 1936) This part of the track is in scrub, offering good views of surrounding hills. Descend through leatherwood and bush, then climb to Richards Knob where there is a track direction sign. At intersection of Gable End and Dora RidgeTracks turn east and follow Dora Ridge Track down to Butchers Saddle and up to its junction with the Yeates Track, that connects with the south branch of Ohau River. Follow up the ridge to Te Matawai Hut and helipad.
Section 2.
Te Matawai to Dracophyllum Hut(1100m, 2 bunks) Climbs Pukematawai(1432m), along the main range, over Butchers Knob (1158m) then through bush to Dracophyllum Hut. 1000m Ascent,820m Descent. Time 4-5 hours. Distance 8km.
Follow Northern Crossing Track up the ridge to shoulder of Pukematawai (sign where Main Range Track starts). Much of track is above the bushline and can be covered in snow in winter (June -September)
Descend on the Main Range Track over various bumps to the bushline beyond Butchers Knob. Dracophyllum Hut is another hour away through beech forest.(Small hut with 2 bunks & water tank).
Dracophyllum Hut -Nichols Hut (1160m, 6 bunks) Track climbs Puketoro (1152m) Shoulder of Kelleher (1142m) and Nichols (1242m) (all unmarked) along Main Ridge to Nichols Hut. 750 Ascent,700 Descent. Time 4hours. Distance 5km
The track is mainly through bush, climbing into open at Puketoro and Kelleher (un marked). At Kelleher Shoulder a cairn marks where the track descends down a steep tussock ridge, zig zagging down to bush. From here it follows an undulating ridge, finally climbing to top of Nichols(unmarked) from where the track descends through tussock to the hut, east of the saddle.
Section 3
Nichols Hut -Waitewaewae Hut (via Mt Crawford 1462m) 380 Ascent,1240 Descent Time 4-5 hours. Distance 8km
Note: in strong winds and rain it may be necessary to stop at Nichols Hut until weather abates
Follow the ridge up the summit of Mt Crawford for great views of the Tararua Range, Kapiti Island, the coast and possibly Mt Taranaki. Descend to Junction Knob, turn right to Shoulder Knob, where the track re-enters the bush, and descends steeply to the Otaki River (bridged) and then Waitewaewae Hut.
Waitewaewae Hut-Parawai Hut, Otaki Forks (Roadend) (100m) Ascend to The Plateau (530m) then descend Saddle Creek (200m), and cross Otaki Swing bridge to carpark. 250m Ascent 460m Descent Time 4-6 hours. Distance 10km
If the river is low, cross the Otaki River below the hut, then cross again to the right up the first sidestream. Follow up the sidestream about 300m to rejoin the wet weather track to The Plateau. From there the track descends steeply down to Saddle Creek, being in the stream for much of the way. Exit the stream on true left, near its lower reaches and follow the old logging tramway.
Follow the signed track but note there is a detour above a big slip and the track sidles around it and then continues on to Parawai Hut (12 bunks) sited near track end. There is a DoC warden located across the swingbridge near the overnight carpark. Otaki Township is 10km away down Otaki Gorge Road. Transport recommended as road narrow and winding. |
