Tararua Middle loop

Tararua Forest Park

A 4-5 day loop from Otaki Forks following the main ridge of the Tararuas

Starting at Otaki Forks (staying in Parawai Lodge if you want) follow the track to Waitewaewae Hut. Make sure you take the detour around a recent slip. The track follows a stream for a few km while ascending. The markers cross over a lot, but you could stay in the stream if you wanted. The hut sleeps 20. Cross the Waitewaewae River and ascend up the ridge. Take the southern track at the junction to Anderson Memorial Hut. This is a little hut that sleeps 6. The track from Anderson follows an undulating razorback ridge and can involve some scrambling up and down steep sections. If you need to you can drop off the ridge to the east to Aokaparangi Biv. Maungahuka Hut is quite new and sleeps 10 but has no stove. The track continues similarly following the ridge. A few km from Maungahuka Hut is the Tunui ladder - 21m high. Keep going, and when you come to a big ascent (400m) you are only a few km from the hut. Kime Hut also lacks a stove and sleeps 20. From here head down the ridge to the west, past Field Hut and back to Otaki Forks.