Parks Peak Hut
Standard hutRuahine Forest Park, Hawke's BayOpen
Current advisories
Gwavas Forest access closed
16 August 2026
Within Gwavas Forest, public vehicle access to Makororo Road and Wakarara Road (for Yeomans Track, Ellis Hut and Poutaki Hut) is closed due to logging operations (Monday-Friday). Walking access to Poutaki Hut is open when no active forestry operations are occurring. The roads are open for foot access during weekends (Saturday-Sunday). First published on 28 August 2025. Last reviewed on 17 August 2026.
Predator control for Ruahine Forest Park – north-east Ruahine
05 March 2026
Toxic bait containing 1080 was distributed in the north-western area of Ruahine Forest Park on 5 March 2026. Treatment blocks can be viewed on DOC's pesticide summary . It is not safe to hunt for food or have your dog in this area for up to 8 months. Warning signs and this web alert will be removed once the area is safe again. This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species. First published on 7 January 2026. Last reviewed on 6 March 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 6 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Cost
- from $15
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Non-flush
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.nzThere are many ways to access Parks Peak Hut. A few options are listed below, all involve a long, strenuous climb.
From Wakarara Road End: 10 km, 4 - 5 hr
This road end is approximately 75 km from Napier. Turn onto Wakarara Road from SH50 and follow for approximately 26.5 km to the end of Wakarara Road. Continue along the road, past the Parks Peak Station sign to the carpark, indicated by DOC signs. There is no vehicle access to the Ruahine Forest Park from the Wakarara Road end. You will need to cross the Makaroro River.Cross the river and follow the Parks Peak Hut Track, which branches off the Yeomans Track. The track goes through beech forest then climbs north up a ridge to the hut.
From Masters Shelter: 13.5 km, 6 hr
Mangleton Road is reached via Big Hill Road. Follow SH50 to Maraekakaho and turn into Kereru Road. On reaching Kereru, turn onto Big Hill Road. The turnoff to Mangleton Road is on the left. 10 km along Mangleton Road, a sign marks the start of a public right of way to Masters Shelter. Continue uphill then head along the top of the range to Pohatuhaha Trig. From here, follow the track south to Parks Peak Hut.
From Sentry Box Hut: 6.4 km, 2 hr 40 min
Sentry Box Hut is just past Masters Shelter. Follow instructions to Masters Shelter, then continue on Mangleton Road past the Shelter for another 10 min (6.5km). Park at the DOC signs on the side of Mangleton Road. Follow the track for 10 min to Sentry Box Hut. From Sentry Box Hut, follow the track to Pohatuhaha Trig Track – this involves a steep climb (2 hr, 4 km). At the junction, turn left onto the Sentry Box Track Junction to Parks Peak Track and follow the ridge for (40 min, 2.4 km) to Parks Peak Hut.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BK37
- Grid reference
- E1878798, N5602942
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. 39.67755° S, 176.25055° E
About this place
This is a standard six-bunk hut in the Hawke's Bay region.
On the way here
Mangleton Road to Parks Peak Ridge · 1-2 days
From the top of the track a 15-20 minute walk to the north leads to Pohatuhaha Trig (1368 metres), a good viewing point. The track continues north to link with the northern end of the main Ruahine Range, Golden Crown Ridge and No Man's Road. To the south the track leads to Parks Peak Hut (40-50 minutes) and the Upper Makaroro Hut (2-2.5 hours).
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams
If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross. Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out. How to cross rivers safely NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Fees and bookings
Before you go, buy Hut Tickets for each night's stay. Put these in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12 month period. Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Upper Makaroro Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 1.9 km
Upper Makaroro Hut is a standard four-bunk hut located in the Hawke's Bay region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Kylie Bivvy
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 4.4 km
Kylie Bivvy is a basic two-bunk hut located in the Hawke's Bay region.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Sentry Box Hut (historic)
Standard • 4 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 2.8 km
Sentry Box Hut is a historic standard 4 bunk hut located in the Ruahine Forest Park in Hawke's Bay.
Heating • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Ellis Hut
Basic/bivvies • 4 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 4.8 km
Ellis Hut is a historic hut located in Hawke's Bay. Built in 1884, it has been used for farming, wild animal control, and recreation.
Barlow Hut
Standard • 8 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 5.3 km
Barlow Hut is a standard eight-bunk hut located in the Hawke's Bay region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Contact
DOC Customer Service Centre
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- DOC Huts (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).