Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
smile on you with clear weather conditions, this is an outstanding tramp with panoramic
views.
From the Umukarikari car park, the track sets off nice and easy before beginning a fairly
steady climb through beech forest dotted with some impressive rimu. Having emerged from
the treeline you are greeted by views of Tongariro National Park's skyline.
The track continues for the best part of several hours along Umukarikari's western flank,
over
Sharp Cone
(1480m), and then
Umukarikari Trig
, the high point of the entire tramp at
1591m. From this flat peak there are views all around, particularly of the grassy plains and
river valleys of Kaimanawa Forest Park to the east.
From the trig the track descends easily over a wide, open ridge, before plunging more
knee-jarringly down to the head of the
Waipakihi Valley
. Having crossed the river, you
reach Waipakihi Hut (12 bunks) on a grassy terrace.
Day 2: Waipakihi Hut to Urchin Car Park
6-8 HOURS, 18KM, 569M DESCENT, 436M ASCENT
The first part of this tramp follows the Waipakihi River flats, through which there is no
defined track. It's easy walking, though, the key being to ford the river when necessary (and
often), and make use of grassy flats and forested terraces.
From the hut, the journey begins with around 6km of river-walking before meeting a
small gorge. Re-emerging, the track continues and, in all, it takes around four to five hours
to reach the
Urchin Track
, signalling a climb up and out of the Waipakihi Valley. You've got
two to three hours to go before you reach the car park at the end of the track.
It's a fairly steep 1km climb through the forest before you emerge above the bushline on
to the Urchin ridge. It takes around an hour to pass across the tussocky crest, following a
poled route. Shortly before the final descent you will reach the high point of the ridge,
Urchin Trig
(1392m), where you are rewarded with views in all directions. What captures
the eye, however, is the volcanic trio of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro to the west.
It's a long way down from here - nearly 600m in fact. A slight undulation follows the
trig, after which it is a steady descent all the way to the Urchin car park.
TE UREWERA NATIONAL PARK
Shrouded in mist and mysticism, Te Urewera National Park is the North Island's largest, en-
compassing 2127 sq km of virgin forest cut with lakes and rivers. The highlight is Lake
