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Whirinaki Forest Park Tramping and Hiking:
Click on any of the yellow hut markers for detailed track information
in that area.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This map is just
to give you an idea of the track locations before you leave home. Under
no circumstances should this map be used when you are tramping. Call in
at the DOC Centre at Murupara and get a Topograhical Map V18 Whirinaki,
and to get their advice as to any hut or track changes or avalability.
Also purchase the hut tickets and guides you will need from DOC before
you enter the Forest.
Tramping Routes:
Whirinaki Forest Park has something for everyone. Its terrain ranges
from gentle river flats to narrow·gorges and waterfalls, with steep
uplands rising to 1300 metres. The forest varies from magnificent dense
podocarp trees on river terraces to high altitude beech forests.
Opportunities for tramping range from overnight trips to five or more
days. These vary widely in terms of experience and level of fitness required.
Local tour guides are available to help
make your trip more enjoyable and informative. Accommodation
and Transport to the track ends
and secure parking is available at Te Whaiti.
The Whirinaki River Track provides good, easy walking
on well graded and signposted tracks with all streams bridged. There
are two huts and two road-ends within this area, allowing a variety
of tramps to be undertaken.
The Mangamate Stream is a formed route, not a benched
track. This route crosses and re-crosses the Mangamate Stream frequently
so you will enjoy getting your boots wet. Vegetation re-growth may
be vigorous during the spring and summer and may overgrow this route
a little. This route is often used as a loop or return from the Upper
Whirinaki.
(Check out the photos and stories about our Christmas 2004 trip)
The Moerangi Track bridges two watersheds and passes
over Moerangi one of the two sacred
mountains of Ngati Whare. It links the Whiranaki and Waiau / Te
Hoe tracks
The Waiau/Te Hoe catchment area offers longer, slightly
more rugged tramping. There are six huts in this area with three road
ends, offering a range of experiences. When combined with the Whirinaki,
Mangamate and Moerangi areas there are many possibilities for extended
trips in the back country.
Short walks and Day hikes.There are a number of
superb walks close to Minginui varying from one hour to a full day.
These are aimed at giving visitors an insight to the forest without
taking too much time or requiring special skills. (see
map and details)
Whirinaki Track (including Mangamate)
The Whirinaki Track is the highest standard track in the park. It is
a relatively easy trip suitable for people of low to moderate fitness.
As it is almost all in bush beside the river so it is pleasant walking
even in the hottest summer.
Walkers can travel north to south from Whirinaki Carpark, or south to
north from Plateau Carpark. It can also be travelled as a circuit (as
described) starting from either end or as part of a larger walk linking
with the Te Hoe or Moerangi tracks.
Access
Whirinaki Forest Park is 90km southeast of Rotorua, off SH 38. (see
map and directions)
Entrance to the park is past Minginui village
and up River Road to the Whirinaki carpark, the northern starting point
for many walkers.
Conversely, the track can be walked from the southern
end starting at Plateau Carpark. This carpark is about 43 km from Minginul
along forestry roads. From Minginui, turn up Main Road, which becomes
South. Road. About 30 minutes later, turn left onto Pine Milling Road
and follow the “Whirinaki Track” signs.
Access to Plateau Carpark is also through Kaingaroa forest via Wairapakau
Rd, Low Level Rd, Wainuki Arterial!
Ngapuketurua Rd, Kiorenul Rd and Main Rd, following “Whirinaki Track”
signs.
From the Napier/Taupo. Highway, exit on Pohokura Rd (between Waipunga
Falls Lookout and Rangitaiki pub), cross the Waipunga River and drive
north to ‘Whirinaki Track” signs on Pine Milling Rd.
Whirinaki Carpark
To Central Whirinaki Hut (5 hrs walking - bridged all weather track)
 Giant
podocarp trees surround the Whirinaki Carpark. The track meanders
down heavily forested river terraces of the Oriuwaka Ecological Area
to To Whaiti Nui-a-Toi Canyon. This is a
very sacred area for Ngati Whare, so please do not wander off
the paths. Here the river cuts through an ancient lava flow with spectacular
results. The main track continues up the true right bank of the river,
crossing the Moerangi and Mangamate streams.
The next stop, Whirinaki Waterfall (l hr), is about 200 m off the
main track to Central Whirinaki Hut. The lookout is a great place
to view the falls.
 Retrace your steps to the Central Whirinaki Hit turn-off. A further
hour from the turn-off is Vein’s Camp, the site of an old track
cutters camp. This is a good place to stop for lunch, with water available
at the stream at the southern end of the clearing.
From. Vein’s Camp the track follows high above the river giving
some birds-eye views.Kakanui Stream is the next convenient place for
a stop (1 hr).
Beware of ongaonga (stinging nettle) along the last parts of this
route to the hut (1 1/2 hr)
Central Whirinaki Hut (17 bunks) stands in a large grassy clearing,
with the river nearby.
(a) To Plateau Road car park ( 4 1/2 hrs walking - bridged all weather
track)
The track goes up the river until it crosses Taumutu Stream (1 1/2
hr) and branches. [The left branch goes up Taumutu Stream to Mangamate
Hut (4 hr) or Upper Whirinaki Hut (3 hr).]
The main’track to the right continues up the Whirinaki River
to the cave (11/2 hr). To reach the cave, cross the main river by
the bridge and follow the sign. The cave is a good example of a pumice
deposit that has been eroded by a stream creating a large cavern,
with a smaller’ one behind it. You may be lucky to find small
creatures such as weta. You will also see remnants of chatcoal in
the pumice of the cave. This is the result of the Taupo eruption nearly
2000 years ago, which destroyed local forest.
At the cave the track again branches. Take the right branch and climb
to the Plateau carpark (11/2 hr), an alternative start or finish for
the track. [The left branch leads to Upper Whirinaki Hut(1 hr) or
the Te Hoe catchment]
Plateau Rd Carpark
(b) To Upper Whirinaki Hut (approx 3 - 5 hrs walking dependent on route,
up stream beds)
The track goes up the river until it crosses Taumutu Stream (1 1/2
hr) and branches. Here you can choose to take the left branch which
goes up Taumutu Stream then over a small ridge to Upper Whirinaki
Hut (3 hrs). [It also is a shorter route directly to Mangamate Hut
(4 hr)]
The other option is to take the main track to the right and continue
up the Whirinaki River to the cave (11/2 hr). The track continues
to follow the Whirinaki River towards Upper Whirinaki Hut, with a
number of crossings.
At the next ‘signpost (11/2 hr) the track branches again. Take
the one on the left up a small tributary to the hut ( 20 mins) [One
track continues to follow the Whirinaki river towards Upper Te Hoe
Hut (5 hr) and the other climbs very steeply back to the Plateau carpark
(31/2hr)]
Upper Whirinaki Hut (9 bunks) is situated at the end of a small
clearing
To Mangamate Hut ( 4 hrs walking along interesting streambeds)
From the true right end of the clearing, the track climbs into the
forest, crossing a saddle and dropping into Taumutu Stream. Follow
this to meet Kakaiti Stream. At the junction the track again divides,
with the and the right branch heading up Kakaiti Stream to Mangamate
Hut . [The left branch follows Taumutu Stream back to Central Whirinaki
Hut]. On climbing out of the stream and crossing a saddle, the track
drops into Kakanui Stream. One more saddle leads down into Mangamate
Stream and follow it downstream for about an hour to the hut.
Mangamate Hut (9 bunks) is tucked away in an old bend of the
river.
To Whirinaki Carpark (3 1/2 hrs walking along the streambed)
 From
Mangamate Hut the track follows a four-wheel drive route down the
valley, in and out of the stream. The 4WD track leaves the river after
about 11/2 hours. Continue down the stream until you meet the main
Whirinaki Track. This brings you back to the Whirinaki Carpark in
a further 50 minutes.
TE HOE TRACK (Including Moerangi)
The Te Hoe Track provides access to the more remote areas of Whirinaki
Forest Park. Tramping in this area is rugged and requires high fitness
levels. A network of tracks allows trampers options of a one way trip
to a round trip varying in length from 3 to 7 days. The trip can be started
at the Okahu roadend or at Pukahunui roadend or walked as a round trip
incorporating Moerangi and Whirinaki. This guide follows from South to
North.
Access
Whirinaki Forest Park is 90km southeast
of Rotorua, off SH 38. Access to the Pukahunui road end of the track
is gained past Minginui village and up Main Road, which becomes South
Road. About 30 mm later, turn left onto Pine Milling Road and follow
the Whirinaki Track” signs as far as Plateau Road.. Keep to
Pine Milling Road until you drop to the Pukahunui Stream, cross one
bridge and the track starts about 1km further down the road.
Access to the’ Pukahunui road end ‘ can also be gained
via forestry roads through Kaingaroa forest via Wairarapakau Rd, Low
level Rd, Wainuki Arterial/Ngapuketurua Rd, Kiorenui Rd and Pine Milling
Rd then proceed as above to the road end.
From the Napier/Taupo Highway (SH 5), you can exit on Pohokura Rd
(between Waipunga Falls Lookout and Rangitaiki pub), cross the Waipunga
River and drive north to Pine Milling Rd then proceed as above to
the road end..
Access to the northern end of the track is through
the Okahu Valley, about 9 km past the Minginui turnoff onSH38. The
track begins at the carpark at the end of Okahu Valley Rd (about 11km).
Pukahunui Roadend (getting
to here)
To Upper Te Hoe Hut (about 4 hrs walking from either the carpark or
Upper Whirinaki hut)
From the Pukahunul road end, the track climbs steeply to the dividing
ridge between the Whirinaki catchment and the Te Hoe catchment. The
ridge is 1275 m high and clothed in high altitude beech forest. It
often snows here in the winter.
The track from Upper Whirinaki Hut meets the ridge about 2 hr from
the road end, having climbed steeply from the Whirinaki Stream (about
2 hr from Upper Whirinaki Hut to the junction).
The track winds down from the ridge to Upper Te Hoe Hut (2 hr).
Upper Te Hoe Hut ( 9 bunks)
To Central Te Hoe Hut (4 hrs walking))
The all-weather track from Upper to Central Te Hoe is on the true
left of the Te Hoe River. It is benched and all major river crossings
are bridged. It follows the ridge and can be very exposed to wind,
rain and snow. Drinking water must be carried. In fine weather and
low river copditions, suitably experienced people could follow the
river through the gorge.
Central Te Hoe Hut (17 bunks)
To Mangakahika Hut (3 hrs walking)
From Central Te Hoe Hut return upstream to the Bullring Creek junction
(swingbridge) and follow the marked route up the creek bed to the
Bullring Clearing (11/2 hr). (Beware of ongaonga, stinging nettle,
so wear long pants to avoid many of the stings.)
From here the track crosses a saddle and drops into the Te Wairoa
Stream, meandering to Mangakahika Hut. Mistletoe flowers high in the
red beech in mid summer through this section. North Island brown kiwi
can heard in the late evening.
Mangakahika Hut ( 6 bunks)
To Roger’s (Te Wairoa) Hut (2 hrs walking)
The benched track from Mangakahika to Roger’s (Te Wairoa) Hut
crosses the river many times. About 1 hour from the start there is
a low saddle - apart from this the track is relatively flat. The river
washes over the track often, making it hard to follow at times. Keep
a good watch for track markers.
Roger’s (Te Wairoa) Hut
(6 bunks)
Is on a cleared terrace above the river. The hut is named after the builders
son, born while the hut was under construction.
(a) To Moerangi Hut (3 hrs walking)
From Rogers Hut the track divides. One branch goes up the Moerangi Stream
to Moerangi Hut - stream crossings are required. The track bypasses waterfalls
and log jams in the stream and is well marked. The hut is found several
minutes up the true right branch of the stream on a river terrace. . Whiu
are often seen in the stream section of the trip and around the hut.
Moerangi Hut ( 6 bunks)
To Whirinaki Car Park (4 hours walking)
From Moerangi Hut go back down to the stream and cross to the track
start. From here the track travels along the stream terrace and over
a low ridge into the true left fork of the Moerangi Stream. The marked
track then travels up the stream, which gradually gets narrower and
steeper. Two small waterfalls are encountered as you get closer to
the headwaters and after 11/2 hr a benched track heeds out of the.
stream and up to the ridge just south of Moerangi Mountain.
From the ridge the track is well defined as it sidles around Moerangi
(with Tuuwatawata the two sacred
mountains of Ngati Whare), down a ridge, to link with the Mangamate
4WD track (lhr 15 mins). Turn right and follow this old bush road
for 40 mins when you will reach the track junction. Turn left and
walk to the main Whirinaki Track and then to the carpark 30 mins away
Whirinaki carpark . (getting
to here)
(b) To Skip’s (Whangatawhia) Hut (1/2 hrs)
The track from Rogers heads north along the true left of the Whakangatuwhio
Stream and through a saddle into the Whangatawhia stream. The track
runs above the river giving some good views.
Skip’s (Whangatawhia) Hut
(9 bunks)
to Okahu Road End (1 1/2 hours)
From Skip’s (Whangatawhia) Hut, the track sidles gently upstream
out of the Whangatawhia Stream over a saddle and down into the Okahu
Valley to the road end.
Okahu Roadend (getting
to here)
NOTES:
- True Right and Left of Waterways - The true right or left of a waterway
is determined when facing downstream.
- Beware of ongaonga or stinging nettle - This can have a painful
sting, which may last several days
- Hutt tickets are required and are available from any Department
of Conservation office. Please use only dead wood for fires, leave
huts clean and tidy and carry out any rubbish.
- If you think there is a safety hazard in a conservation area, call
and report them to SafetyWatch 0800 999 005 or the nearest Department
of Conservation office.
For Your Safety
(See also Keeping safe to find out what
emergency services are available in the valley)
The weather in the park can be very unpredictable and visitors should
be prepared for cold, wet spells even at the height of summer. Frosts
occur all year and snow is also likely on high ground throughout the year.
High rainfall causes rivers in the area to rise very quickly although
they usually fall rapidly once the rain stops. Warm clothing, rain-proof
gear and boots are recommended for all walks and tramps. Please leave
a record of your intentions with reliable friends or relatives or at Rangitaiki
Area Office. Ensure that your group stays together at all times.
What to bring: (A few suggestions from a North Shore
Tramping Club list)
(Keep as light as possible as you will have to carry it all. Don't carry
unnessary items particularly thing others in your party have, as it will
detract from your enjoyment. Things like Swiss army knives and large full
tubes of toothpaste all add up!!)
A Sturdy Pack with internal plastic liner (obtainable from DOC centres)
Robust Boots with a spare set of laces. Parka and overtrousers ( in
case you hit wet and cold winds)
Warm hat and mitts or gloves. Polypropelene or wool longjohns and top
Shorts ( do not wear jeans) warm woollen Shirt and / or Jersey. 2 pairs
of thick socks
A complete change of clothes and maybe some light shoes / sandals for
evening relief
A Sleeping Bag (and thermorest or foam pad may be an investment if you
have one)
Toilet gear, a small towel, and bathing togs.A roll of Toilet Paper
A light plate, Mug and Cutlery set. Your own water bottle (at least
one litre), Water purification tablets or filter
Small torch with spare batteries and bulb. Matches in waterproof container
and small candle
First aid kit, including bandaid strips. Sunblock and insect repellant.
A plastic foil safety blanket,
Plastic bags and ties to seal dry clothes inside pack.Camera, film,
etc
Books, Safety in Mountains manual, map, compas, pencil and paper, money
/ card for emergencies etc.
Mueslie mars, scroggin, etc as energy snacks each day on the track.
Stoves, Billy's, Pots. A small tent or plastic bivvi sheet if not staying
in huts or you need to camp out
G ood food, consideration for other trampers and a sense of humour.
For more Information
Rangitaiki Area Office, Department of Conservation
P0 Box 114/State Highway 38, Murupara
Phone: 073661080 Fax: 07 3661082
Much of information on this page is a summary of that contained on
DOC brochure - Whirinaki Forest Park
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