Longwood Forest Track

Walking this section

Introduction

Merrivale Road - 7.7km

Walk 7.5km up Merrivale Road into the forest, all the way to the road end. A washout about 6km up Merrivale Road prevents 2WD vehicles from progressing further, but roadside parking exists.

During the deer roar (March/April), we recommend that all walkers wear a high-vis vest while walking through the Longwoods Forest.

The only reliable water source on Te Araroa for over 13km is Merry Creek, accessed a short distance down a 4WD track that departs Merrivale Road on the left-hand side, just beyond the final farm paddock.

Merrivale Rd end to Bald Hill — 4.3km / 2 hours

From the road end, a short 4WD track leads off to the start of the Longwood Forest Track. The first orange track markers are encountered a bit further along. A GPS may come in handy here (and across the tops) as the ground trail is not always obvious.

The track climbs gradually for 2.5km to a clearing but soon re-enters the forest. From here, it’s only 500m to the treeline from where the transmission tower is visible on clear days. The track is marked by poles across the open tops to the transmission tower at a road end upon Bald Hill. 

Bald Hill to Pourakino Picnic Area — 14km / 3 hours

Descend the road from the transmission tower. Water may be available from small streams draining from the left. This is in the vicinity of the gates which cross the road. Fill up here as there is no other readily available water source for some distance.

Continue down the road to the old quarry from where the old track departs on the right near a square steel plate sign.  This route is visible on basemaps and will tempt walkers with it's shorter distance, but we do not recommend taking it.  The track is severely degraded with long sections of thigh/waist deep mud.  Te Araroa Trust and Department of Conservation ask that you do not attempt this and leave the area to recover.

Instead, continue down the road.  You'll have to go around a large slip that occured in early 2026, which means you shouldn't encounter any vehicles as you go.  After 5km you'll reach the Granity Ridge Track, a historic tramline from the area's logging past.

Follow this track through the bush for 4.5km to reach the Pourakino River, which you'll have to cross on foot.  Once on the other side, take the steps up to reach a short loop track.  Take a right to reach the picnic area faster, or take a left to enjoy a bit more Southland silver beech and some history of the area.

Pourakino Picnic Area to Martins Hut — 17km

Pourakino is a quiet and shady area used primarily by locals with a number of relics from its past use as the site of a saw mill.  DOC are happy for Te Araroa walkers to camp here, but it should be noted that the area has in the past had problems with vandalism occuring overnight. We believe that the presence of Te Araroa walkers here will help deter this, but we recommend that if you camp here, make sure your tent is clearly visible and that you don't stay here alone.

From the picnic area, follow signs for the Pourakino River Track, a 7km track that follows the true left of the Pourakino River all the way to Ermedale Road.

Turn right onto Ermdale Road and follow it for 2km to Pourakino Valley Rd.  Turn left and follow Pourakino Valley Rd for 1km to Cascade Rd.

Cascade Rd is a narrow forestry road, but is unlikely to have any vehicle traffic on it unless we have an alert on it.  Follow it for 5.5km to a marked junction to the right for a 1.5km track that will take you up to the historic Martins Hut, built in 1905 and the last (or first if northbound) hut on Te Araroa.

Martins Hut is compact with 4 timber bunks with mattresses. It would provide welcome shelter in poor weather. There is a small water tank behind the hut — though do treat the water. 

Another water source at Martins Hut is a small stream on an unmarked side track between the toilet and the hut. This is off to the left as you are facing downhill. Water also becomes more readily available on the main track lower down.

Martins Hut to Long Hilly Track and Round Hill — 12.5km / 4 hours

Leaving Martins Hut, go back on the trail for 100m and turn right at the marked junction. Follow the water race on Turnbull’s Tramping Track for 4.9km to the derelict historic Turnbulls (Big Dam) Hut. Once you leave Turnbull’s Hut, you will continue on the Turnbull’s Tramping Track, descending gradually for the next 4.5km until you reach the historic Ports Water Race. After 250m the track join Long Hilly Track (Round Hill Walking Track). 

Turn left here and follow the track past a number of sign-posted historic gold mining sites to the car park on Round Hill Road. Turn left out of the Long Hilly Walking Track car park and walk 900m down Round Hill Road to the SH99 junction. Turn left again onto State Highway 99 and walk the 4km to Colac Bay. 

Getting there

Northern Start: Junction of Otautau-Tuatapere and Merrivale Roads, Merrivale

Southern End: End of Ports Water Race Track

Track conditions

During the deer roar (March/April) we recommend that all walkers wear a high-vis vest while walking through the Longwoods Forest.

Potential Hazards

• Vehicles on road or track on Merrivale road
• Poisons & traps
• Farming operations
• Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
• Weather extremes
• Few water sources between Merrivale Road and Martins Hut

Transport

Walk 7.5km up Merrivale Road into the forest, all the way to the road-end. A washout about 6km up Merrivale Road prevents 2WD vehicles progressing further but there is roadside parking there.

Accommodation

Trail Pass

Pourakino Picnic Area - km 2960 - DOC Managed amenity area.  Tent camping allowed. We recommend your tent is clearly visible and that you don't stay here alone.

Martins Hut - km 2,976.8 - Included in The Trail Pass

Turnbull's (Big Dam) Hut - km 2,981.6 - Included in The Trail Pass.  While the hut is in poor condition, DOC have recently built a small shelter to cook and improved some camping sites in the area.

Food and supplies

The only reliable water source on Te Araroa for over 13km is Merry Creek, accessed a short distance down a 4WD track that departs Merrivale Road on the left-hand side, just beyond the final farm paddock

Alerts