Lotkow Road to Little's Clearing
WalkHawke's Bay
- Grade
- Advanced
- Walking time
- 4 hr
- 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.nzThe track starts 5 kilometres along Lotkow Road, 65 km north-west of Napier.
From Napier follow Puketitiri Road for 36 km before turning left into Whittle Road. Whittle Road passes partly through farmland before reaching the park entrance (please leave all gates as found). This road may be closed at times during winter because of snow.
Lotkow Road is the first road on the left at the entranceway to the park. This 7 km road is used predominantly by hunters. The road end is a pleasant spot for picnicking or camping.
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
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 39.29185° S, 176.43844° E
About this place
Lotkow Road branches off Whittle Road at the entry point to the Kaweka Forest Park.
The route
The track starts with a steep climb to the Black Birch Range, then continues along the range. It passes the Black Birch Bivoua before reaching Little's Clearing.
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
Expect a rough, slippery track
This is a backcountry tramping track and it is rough, muddy and slippery (especially after rain). It is best suited to experienced trampers with backcountry skills. You will need sturdy boots with good grip.
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.
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
Makahu Saddle Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 2.7 km
Makahu Saddle Hut is located in Hawke's Bay within a mixed forest of red and mountain beech. It sits below the steep eroded scree slopes of the main Kaweka…
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Kaweka Flats Bivvy
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 3.8 km
Kaweka Flats Bivvy is a hut located in the eastern part of Kaweka Forest Park in Hawke's Bay. It is situated one hour from the Makahu carpark.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Dominie Hut
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 4 km
Dominie Hut is a DOC hut located in the eastern Kaweka Forest Park in Hawke's Bay. It is an 80 minute walk from the Makahu Saddle Hut and the roadend.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Iron Whare
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 4 km
Iron Whare is a historic bivvy in Hawke's Bay that is no longer recommended for overnight accommodation. The track to the site is not well marked, making the…
Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream • Water supply
Mackintosh Hut
Standard • 8 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 5.3 km
Mackintosh Hut is a hut located in the mid-southern area of the Kaweka Forest Park in Hawke's Bay.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Ngahere Loop Track
Advanced • 1 hr • 1.37 km away
Matauria Ridge Track (Makahu Saddle to Mackintosh Track Junction)
Advanced • 5.07 km • 2.82 km away
Dons Stream Walk
Advanced • 1 hr return • 3.01 km away
Trials Spur Track
Advanced • 2-3 hr • 3.01 km away
Balls Clearing Walks
Easy • 10 – 40 min • 5.92 km away
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
Something missing or out of date?
Closed, moved, wrong facts, or something we have missed? Travellers keep the Road Guide up to date. Tell us what you found at contribute@parkup.nz and we will check it and add it.
Ask us to take this down
A person reads every request. We do not remove a place until we have checked it.
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).