North-South Track

The North-South Track takes at least five days of serious tramping. The walk can be shortened by entering or exiting the Forest Park at a side track. This tramp involves many river crossings, steep and technical terrain, and includes remote areas which are challenging to maintain and may involve navigating around landslides and fallen trees. The old North-South track along the crest of the main range from Mount Te Aroha through Pahiko and Wahine Rock is a route – it can be extremely muddy, and overgrown. It is suitable for expert backcountry trampers only. The recommended North-South track is via Waitawheta Hut, and the Waitawheta and Wharawhara valleys. There are some huts that can be used during this tramp but camping is also necessary along the way.

Kauritatahi and Mangamuka huts are well off the main track

These two huts are accessed by difficult routes and should only be attempted by experienced trampers. This is because the distance between these two huts is not considered a reasonable day’s tramp – camping is unavoidable. It is therefore better to skip both huts or plan for extra days, and plan to camp once or twice at suitable locations on the track between Motutapere Hut and Te Whare Okioki.

Example itinerary

The following itinerary, over seven days, is a guide only: