(North to South)
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.
WARNING: Weather in the Tararua Ranges is notorious for deteriorating rapidly. Be prepared for extreme conditions at all times. There can be gale-force winds and heavy rain.Snow can fall in any season. Be prepared to wait out storms or for streams to subside after heavy rain. Do not cross swollen streams. Be sure to fill in intentions book at start of track.
The trail is divided into three stages of 1-2 days each, depending on fitness and weather conditions.
1) Poads Road (Levin) to Te Matawai Hut (900m), via Waiopehu Hut (960m)
2) Te Matawai Hut to Nichols Hut (1160m) via Dracophyllum Hut
3) Nichols Hut to Parawai Hut (Otaki Forks,Road End. 100m) via Waitewaewae Hut (310m)
From Levin, take transport for 7km to car park at end of Poads Road.
Poads Road to Waiopehu Hut - 9km / 4-5hr
The Ridge Track to Waiopehu Hut veers right soon after entering the bush. The track is marked through the forested areas and the alpine areas follow a very defined ridge with some marking where possible.There is a pleasant lunch spot at a clearing about half an 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 - 6km / 4hr
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 Ridge Tracks 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.
Te Matawai to Dracophyllum Hut - 8km / 4-5hr
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 to Nichols Hut - 5km / 4hr
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.
Nichols Hut to Waitewaewae Hut - 8km / 4-5hr
Route to Waitewaewae Hut (310m 16 bunks) via Mt Crawford 1462m. 380m ascent, 1240m descent.
Note: in strong winds and rain it may be necessary to stop at Nichols Hut until weather clears
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.
Route to Parawai Lodge (100m altitude, 18 bunks) and Otaki Forks car park. Ascend to the Plateau (530m) then descend Saddle Creek (200m), and cross Otaki River swing bridge to carpark. 250m ascent, 460m descent.
Follow the marked track down the terrace the hut is on. The wet weather track then climbs and crosses a number of gullies and streams before the climb to the Plateau. These streams can be difficult and dangerous to cross in heavy rain. Be prepared to let levels fall during wet weather.
(Dry weather route - follow the track to Otaki Forks for a 100 or so metres along the terrace then drop down the bank on the unmarked route and cross the Otaki River. Below here the river bends around to flow east. Cross back to the west bank on the bend and head to the orange marker by a side stream just below the long slip in the west bank. Follow the markers and track up this stream (Arapito Stream) to join the main wet weather track where it crosses Arapito Stream. This point is signposted.)
After crossing Arapito Stream the track climbs up the valley crossing a number of gullies before reaching the Plateau. The track crosses Plateau Stream three times in a short distance before a short 20 to 30 metre climb to the saddle. From here the new track heads south along the ridge climbing gently. There are a couple of flat boggy sections on the ridge. From the ridge, the new track crosses a steep slope before dropping down to the old tram track. A well graded track leads from here to a swing bridge over the Otaki River. It then climbs over a terrace on the south side of the river before dropping to Parawai Lodge. The carpark and road are across another swing bridge beside the Waiotauru River.
There is a DOC warden located across the swingbridge near the overnight carpark.
If continuing on to the next section (Pukeatua) turn left at the road and continue for 2km to end of road: camping area, and start of Fenceline and Pukeatua Tracks. Otaki Township is 10km away down Otaki Gorge Road. Transport recommended as road narrow and winding.
- Poisons & traps
- Farming operations Do not disturb stock
- River crossings - Never cross flooded rivers
- Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
- Weather extremes - be aware of weather forecast and be prepared to wait bad weather out if necessary
(North to South)
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.
WARNING: Weather in the Tararua Ranges is notorious for deteriorating rapidly. Be prepared for extreme conditions at all times. There can be gale-force winds and heavy rain.Snow can fall in any season. Be prepared to wait out storms or for streams to subside after heavy rain. Do not cross swollen streams. Be sure to fill in intentions book at start of track.
The trail is divided into three stages of 1-2 days each, depending on fitness and weather conditions.
1) Poads Road (Levin) to Te Matawai Hut (900m), via Waiopehu Hut (960m)
2) Te Matawai Hut to Nichols Hut (1160m) via Dracophyllum Hut
3) Nichols Hut to Parawai Hut (Otaki Forks,Road End. 100m) via Waitewaewae Hut (310m)
From Levin, take transport for 7km to car park at end of Poads Road.
Poads Road to Waiopehu Hut - 9km / 4-5hr
The Ridge Track to Waiopehu Hut veers right soon after entering the bush. The track is marked through the forested areas and the alpine areas follow a very defined ridge with some marking where possible.There is a pleasant lunch spot at a clearing about half an 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 - 6km / 4hr
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 Ridge Tracks 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.
Te Matawai to Dracophyllum Hut - 8km / 4-5hr
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 to Nichols Hut - 5km / 4hr
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.
Nichols Hut to Waitewaewae Hut - 8km / 4-5hr
Route to Waitewaewae Hut (310m 16 bunks) via Mt Crawford 1462m. 380m ascent, 1240m descent.
Note: in strong winds and rain it may be necessary to stop at Nichols Hut until weather clears
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.
Route to Parawai Lodge (100m altitude, 18 bunks) and Otaki Forks car park. Ascend to the Plateau (530m) then descend Saddle Creek (200m), and cross Otaki River swing bridge to carpark. 250m ascent, 460m descent.
Follow the marked track down the terrace the hut is on. The wet weather track then climbs and crosses a number of gullies and streams before the climb to the Plateau. These streams can be difficult and dangerous to cross in heavy rain. Be prepared to let levels fall during wet weather.
(Dry weather route - follow the track to Otaki Forks for a 100 or so metres along the terrace then drop down the bank on the unmarked route and cross the Otaki River. Below here the river bends around to flow east. Cross back to the west bank on the bend and head to the orange marker by a side stream just below the long slip in the west bank. Follow the markers and track up this stream (Arapito Stream) to join the main wet weather track where it crosses Arapito Stream. This point is signposted.)
After crossing Arapito Stream the track climbs up the valley crossing a number of gullies before reaching the Plateau. The track crosses Plateau Stream three times in a short distance before a short 20 to 30 metre climb to the saddle. From here the new track heads south along the ridge climbing gently. There are a couple of flat boggy sections on the ridge. From the ridge, the new track crosses a steep slope before dropping down to the old tram track. A well graded track leads from here to a swing bridge over the Otaki River. It then climbs over a terrace on the south side of the river before dropping to Parawai Lodge. The carpark and road are across another swing bridge beside the Waiotauru River.
There is a DOC warden located across the swingbridge near the overnight carpark.
If continuing on to the next section (Pukeatua) turn left at the road and continue for 2km to end of road: camping area, and start of Fenceline and Pukeatua Tracks. Otaki Township is 10km away down Otaki Gorge Road. Transport recommended as road narrow and winding.
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. Be sure to fill in intentions book at start of track
Views in the Tararua Ranges in clear weather are outstanding.
Levin
Getting to/from the start
From the north Te Araroa enters the Wellington region at Poads Road, 7km from Levin (Taitoko). Levin has a full range of service and amenities available and is a good point for resupply.
Levin i-SITE Visitor Information Centre - SH1 next to the adventure playground P: 06 367 8440.
Levin is on State Highway 1, and on the North Island Main Trunk Line with a station used by the Capital Connection long-distance commuter train between Wellington and Palmerston North - P: 0800 801 700
InterCity - P: 04 385 0520
Naked Bus - P: 0900 62533 (calls cost)
Rental Cars - multiple options available
Available: Hot showers, cold beer, dinner with your hosts, washing and drying facilities, re-stock (you can pre-order by emailing orders to Makahika@xtra.co.nz, you can pay electronically), PLBs on loan and trail knowledge (for the Waiopehu to Otaki Forks sub-alpine section). There is no charge for dinner with your hosts, tenting or a bunkroom, though you are welcome to gift a small koha to be used to support our Youth Justice Programmes. John and Sally Duxfield 06 367 8438 or email jsdux@ihug.co.nz OR Makahika@xtra.co.nz
Beni Paroli (AT hiker) P: 06 368 4570, 027 9304151 E: pepperonis@xtra.co.nz for pickup, shower, meal and bed - Levin;
Panorama Motel - 170 The Avenue SH 1, Levin - P: 06 368 5401 or 0800 660 220 - E: admin@panoramamotel.co.nz
Serendipity B&B - 86 Macarthur St, Levin - P: 06 368 6766 - E: relax@serendipitynz.co.nz
New World Supermarket - 21 Bath St, Levin - P: 06 368 6538
Countdown Supermarket - 15 Bristol St, Levin - P: 06 366 0050
Otaki
2 Campgrounds at Otaki Beach, - approx 6 km west of SH 1
Otaki Manaaki B & B - 102 Rahui Rd, Otaki - P: 0274 783 220
Otaki Motel - 260 Main Highway, Otaki - P: 06 364 8469 or 0800 662 243 - E: info@otakimotel.co.nz
Railway Hotel - 6 Arthur St, Otaki - P: 06 364 7165
Resupply
New World Supermarket - 155-163 Main HIghway, Otaki North - P: 06 364 8640
Countdown Supermarket - Cnr Mill Rd & Aotaki St, Otaki - P: 06 364 9001
- Keep to the track marked by blue poles
- Respect private land keep driveway clear at all times
- Leave gates as you find them
- Dogs on leash only
- No vehicles
- No bikes
- Take all rubbish with you
- Use toilets provided
- Bury toilet waste well away from water
- Conservation Area - No domestic animals allowed (i.e. includes dogs, cats or birds)
(Start)
- Full range of amenities in Levin
- Car park Orientation signage, Intentions Book
- Toilets At Poads Road starting point.
- Shop in Levin
(On Route)
- Toilets At each hut except Dracophyllum
- Accommodation Tramping Huts - hut fees required
(End)
- Carpark Overnight behind Caretaker's house
- Picnic area Track links from overnight carpark to Boielles Picnic Area
- Toilets 3 Flush toilets at Picnic area & 1 at secure carpark
- Shop Otaki nearest town
- Phone and assistance at Caretaker's house
- Standard Campsite Camping ground 2km up road to School house Flat
- Accommodation 20 bunk Tramping Hut (Parawai) up river before bridge. Hut fees apply - 1 ticket per night.
- Self-catering rural cottage on Gorge Rd, ph owner 06 364 3220 or 0274 426968 or email pipsteele@xtra.co.nz
- Total Fire Ban all year
