Cameron Hut via Mt Kuripapango and Smith-Russell Track
WalkHawke's Bay
- Grade
- Advanced
- Walking time
- 6 hr
- Distance
- 11 km
- Dogs
- DOC permit only
Access: read before you go
We recommend 4WD vehicles to reduce wear on the road and safe travel.
Extreme fire conditions can exist during summer. The park is a restricted fire area, which means permits to light fires are required all year round.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzCameron Carpark is located approximately 70 km from Napier on the Napier/Taihape Road (just before Kuripapango).
We recommend 4WD vehicles to reduce wear on the road and safe travel.
Kaweka Forest Park access conditions
We recommend 4WD vehicles to reduce wear on the road and safe travel. Lotkow Road: The river crossings are regularly changing, check before crossing. Lakes carpark is accessible via Kuripapango road. The previous access Castle Rock road is now closed due to ongoing forestry operations. Lawrence Carpark access road: The last 600 m of the road is steep and not recommended for 2WD vehicles - a parking space is available before the descent. The Lawrence swing bridge has been removed. Mackintosh car park is currently closed due to ongoing forestry operations. A new parking location can be located at a skid site near the closed gate (end of Kuripapango Road), this will add on 500 m walking to reach the start of the track. Whittle Road: Be aware of trucks using the quarry. Give them right of way where possible.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 39.34946° S, 176.32807° E
About this place
This track provides access to Cameron Hut without needing to cross the Ngaruroro River.
The route
This track starts at Cameron car park. It climbs steeply through manuka forest, then crosses a broad, tussock saddle and herbfield to reach the summit of Kuripapango. Mt Kuripapango can also be reached by the "Lakes" carpark (allow 3/4 hour to reach Mt Kuripapango). From Mt Kuripapango, the track continues northwest along the Smith-Russell Track to reach a high point of 1359 metres. At the next junction, turn left, following the sign towards Cameron Hut (3 hours from this point). The track descends, passing a turnoff towards the Kiwi Mouth Hut to Kiwi Saddle track. The track drops steeply into Ngaruroro Valley and arrives at Cameron Hut. There is an alternative route to Cameron Hut via the Ngaruroro River. However, this requires at least 30 river crossings, so it is best suited to people with good river crossing skills and when the river is low and no rain is forecast. River levels can be checked on the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council website .
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Be ready for mountain weather
This is a mountainous area. Visitors should be prepared for sudden weather changes, whiteouts, high winds on the ranges and rapidly rising water levels in rivers and streams. Check the weather before you go. Kaweka J Summit weather forecast Pack for all conditions and be ready for weather delays, including with an emergency shelter, spare food and a distress beacon. Packing lists
Fires
Extreme fire conditions can exist during summer. The park is a restricted fire area, which means permits to light fires are required all year round.
This is a backcountry tramping track
The Kaweka Forest Park tramping tracks are backcountry tracks. They are typically rough and require high level backcountry skills and experience (including navigation and survival skills). You will need sturdy tramping boots with good grip.
Maps
The Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) topographical maps that cover the Kaweka Forest Park are: Topo50 map BH36 - Motutere Topo50 map BH37 - Rangitaiki Topo50 map BH38 - Te Haroto Topo50 map BJ36 - Tawake Tohunga Topo50 map BJ37 - Kuripapango Topo50 map BJ38 - Te Pohue Topo50 map BK37 - Tikokino
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Kiwi Saddle Hut
Standard • 8 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 1.9 km
Kiwi Saddle Hut is located in the southern Kaweka Forest Park in Hawke's Bay. The hut is owned and maintained by the Heretaunga Tramping Club.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Cameron Campsite
Basic • Hawke's Bay • 4.1 km
Cameron Campsite is a basic campsite located in Hawke's Bay. It sits beside the Ngaruroro River and the Napier-Taihape Road.
Water from stream • Toilets - non-flush • Toilets
Kuripapango (Ox Bow) Campsite
Basic • Hawke's Bay • 4.4 km
Kuripapango (Ox Bow) Campsite is a basic campsite located at the edge of a park in Hawke's Bay. Visitors can use the site as a base for rafting down the…
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from stream • Toilets - non-flush
Jacks Camp Hut
Hawke's Bay • 5 km
Jacks Camp Hut is a basic shelter located in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. It serves as a simple accommodation option for hikers and outdoor…
Kiwi Mouth Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 5 km
Kiwi Mouth Hut is a tramping stopover point in Hawke's Bay. It provides access to the southern area of Manson Country.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Kiwi Saddle Hut via Mt Kuripapango
Advanced • 4 hrs • 7.8 km • 0.21 km away
Lakes carpark to Mt Kuripapango Track
Advanced • 2-3 hrs (one way) • 2.6 km (Lakes carpark to Mt Kuripapango one way) • 2.06 km away
Cameron Carpark to Mt Kuripapango Track
Advanced • 3-4 hr return • 7.4 km • 2.72 km away
Lake Rototuna and Lake Rotoroa (Kaweka Lakes) Track
Easy • 30 mins from Lakes carpark to Lake Rototuna and Lake Rotoroa (one way) • 2.3 km from Lakes carpark to Kuripapango Road • 3.12 km away
Lakes Carpark Loop – Rogue Ridge/Cooks Horn
Advanced • 3-4 hrs • 3.6 km away
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).