Purity - Kelly Knight Hut Loop Track
WalkManawatū-Whanganui
- Grade
- Advanced
- Walking time
- 3 days
- Dogs
- No dogs
Access: read before you go
Access to the hut is via a working farm. You need the landowner's permission to walk to Purity Hut from the carpark at the end of Mangakukeke Road.
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.
Visitors must not hunt or bring loaded firearms onto private property, nor use spotlights or light fires.
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.nzHeading just north from Mangaweka turn right off SH1, cross the Rangitikei River and follow Kawhatau Valley Road. This eventually leads to Upper Kawhatau Valley Road and not far past this turn right onto Mangakukeke Road. Follow this to the carpark at the end.
Access to the hut is via a working farm. You need the landowner's permission to walk to Purity Hut from the carpark at the end of Mangakukeke Road.
Permission needed to access the hut
Access to the hut is via a working farm. You need the landowner's permission to walk to Purity Hut from the carpark at the end of Mangakukeke Road. Contact DOC Manawatū Office for the landowner's contact details. Email the farm owner to request access over the farm – at least 48 hours before your visit.
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. 39.84010° S, 176.03995° E
About this place
A loop track that takes in the Pourangaki River valley and the open tops of the Hikurangi Range in the Ruahine Forest Park.
The route
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.
Day 3: Kelly Knight Hut to Mangakukeke Roadend
Time: 3 hr 30 min – 4 hr 30 min
Walk the sidle Kelly Knight Track out from Kelly Knight Hut to the entrance point on Kohunui Station and then follow the farm road back out to the Purity carpark.
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.
Joins these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On this track
In walking order.
Nearby stops
Pourangaki Hut
Standard • 8 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 4.1 km
Pourangaki Hut is a standard eight-bunk hut located in the Manawatu-Whanganui region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Rangiwahia Hut
Serviced • 13 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 5.9 km
Rangiwahia Hut is a serviced 13-bunk hut located in the Manawatu region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Waterfall Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 6.5 km
Waterfall Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Manawatu region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Triangle Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 7.8 km
Triangle Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Manawatu-Whanganui region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
McKinnon Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 8 km
McKinnon Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Manawatu region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Renfrew Road end to Table Flat Road end
Advanced • 2-3 days • 6.03 km away
Rangiwahia Hut - Deadmans Track
Advanced • 2 days • 6.16 km away
McKinnon Hut Track
Advanced • 8 - 10 hr • 8.05 km away
Rangitane Road to Crow Hut Loop Track
Advanced • 3 days • 9.49 km away
Table Flat - Kashmir Roadend West-East crossing
Advanced • 2-3 days • 11.86 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?
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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).