Purity Hut
Standard hutRuahine Forest Park, Manawatū-WhanganuiOpen
- 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.nzHeading north from Mangaweka, turn right off SH1, cross Rangitikei River by Awastone Campground and follow Ruahine Road. Once past Awastone Campground turn left at Kawhatau Valley Road – follow this road (note after Kawhatau Outdoor Education Centre it becomes Upper Kawhatau Road). Take the next right turn onto Mangakukeke Road and follow it all the way to the end. Access to Purity is from the driveway on the left at the end of the road.
Access is closed from 1st June to 31st October and may be closed at other times of the year for farm management purposes. You must gain permission (at all times of the year) to cross farmland/access to the hut – from the carpark at the end of Mangakukeke Road. This needs to be arranged at least 48 hours ahead of your visit.
Contact DOC Manawatū Office for the landowner's contact details.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BK36
- Grid reference
- E1861493, N5587627
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. 39.82030° S, 176.05631° E
About this place
This is a standard six bunk hut in the Manawatū region.
On the way here
Purity Hut Track · 3 - 4 hr
Follow the poled route across farmland from the carpark. After an initial flat section of 30-40 minutes, the track climbs steeply for another 30-40 minutes to reach the Ruahine Forest Park boundary. From here the track climbs up through the red beech and kaikawaka forest at reasonably steep grade until reaching Purity Hut amongst the tussock.
To tramp to Mangaweka Trig from Purity Hut allow another 2 hr. Other options exist to hike over the Hikurangi Range and down to Waterfall Hut in the Upper Kawhatau River, along the Hikurangi Range to McKinnon Hut and via Wooden Peg on the Hikurangi Range down to Kelly Knight Hut in the Pourangaki River. These trips are all classified as routes due to travel on the often unmarked open tops and should not be attempted in poor visibility.
Purity - Kelly Knight Hut Loop Track · 2-3 days
Day 1: Mangakukeke Roadend to Purity Hut
Time: 3–4 hr
Climb the marked Purity Hut Track through farmland and forest to Purity Hut, nestled above the bushline on the Hikurangi Range.
Day 2: Purity Hut to Kelly Knight Hut
Time: 4–5 hr
The track follows on up a tussock ridge from Purity Hut to Wooden Peg (1672 m). From here a roughly poled route heads south, then descends through forest to Kelly Knight Hut in the Pourangaki River valley. Due to travel on the open tops this section should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather.
Purity to Kawhatau Base Track · 3-4 days
Mangakukeke Road end to Purity Hut
Time: 3-4 hr
Climb the marked Purity Hut Track through farmland and forest to Purity Hut, nestled above the bushline on the Hikurangi Range.
Purity Hut to McKinnon Hut
Time: 4-6 hr
The track follows on up the a tussock ridge from Purity Hut to Wooden Peg (1672 m). From here turn left along the tops of the range - head northeast to Iron Peg (1703 m) and on past small tarns to Mangaweka Trig (1733 m), the highest point in the Ruahine Forest Park. Travel is then possible right along the open tussock tops of the Hikurangi Range to McKinnon Hut sitting just above the bushline down a short side ridge at the northern end. Some lovely tarns are passed on the way. Due to travel on the unmarked open tops this section should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather. Snow can occur any time of year.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Hazards
The farm is an active workplace. Hazards change daily and may include moving stock, farm vehicles, electric fences, irrigation equipment, uneven ground, and chemicals used for pest or weed control. Animals may react unpredictably to people, dogs, or sudden movements, even if they appear calm. Always stick to the marked routes Leave gates exactly as you find them Keep well clear of machinery Closely supervise children at all times
Dogs
If your dog has been permitted (check with the landowner when you request access permission) keep it under strict control. Dogs can frighten/injure livestock very quickly.
Firearms prohibited
Visitors must not hunt or bring loaded firearms onto private property, nor use spotlights or light fires.
Sick/dead farm animals
Occasionally, walkers may come across a sick or dead animal on farmland. If this happens to you, do not touch the animal, as there may be disease risks or other hazards. Notify the farmer or land manager as soon as possible.
Ongoing access
Respecting farm rules and reporting concerns helps protect your own safety, supports animal welfare, and ensures farms can continue to be shared responsibly with the public. Abuse of access rights will result in trespass, prosecution and permanent closure of public access.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Trip options
Walking times come from DOC track descriptions, added up leg by leg from car-accessible trailheads. Nights and return times are ParkUp estimates, allowing about 8 hours of walking a day.
2 options · 1 to 2 nights
Mangakukeke Road end
Walking in
4 hr
Walking out
4 hr to Mangakukeke Road end
Walking in
4 hr
Walking out
12 hr to Kawhatau Base (via McKinnon Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
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
Kelly Knight Hut
Standard • 8 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 3.3 km
Kelly Knight Hut is a standard eight-bunk hut located in the Manawatu region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
McKinnon Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 5.4 km
McKinnon Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Manawatu region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Kawhatau Base
Manawatū-Whanganui • 6.8 km
Walks nearby
Kelly Knight Hut Track
Advanced • 2 hr 30 min - 3 hr 30 min • 2.73 km away
McKinnon Hut Track
Advanced • 8 - 10 hr • 5.77 km away
Rangitane Road to Crow Hut Loop Track
Advanced • 3 days • 7.34 km away
Renfrew Road end to Table Flat Road end
Advanced • 2-3 days • 8.47 km away
Rangiwahia Hut - Deadmans Track
Advanced • 2 days • 8.69 km away
Contact
DOC Customer Service Centre
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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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.
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Sources
- 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).
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.