Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ters, water supply and vault toilets. Camping on the track is only permitted at these camp-
sites.
Note that for both huts and campsites, water supply is rainfall-dependent. Furthermore, it
is recommended that you boil or treat all drinking water.
As this is a Great Walk, you need to book your huts or campsite in advance through Great
Walks Bookings (
Click here
), or DOC visitor centres nationwide, including the one at Ani-
waniwa. Backcountry hut passes and hut tickets are not valid.
The Tramp
Day 1: Onepoto to Panekire Hut
4-6 HOURS, 9KM, 532M ASCENT
The beginning of the track is signposted 500m from SH38, next to the day shelter (where
there is track information). Before setting out, make sure you fill your water bottle as there
is no water available along this first leg.
There is little time to warm up at this end of the track because it immediately begins a
steep climb up the sandstone cliffs of
Panekiri Bluff
. Plan on 2½ to three hours to ascend
532m over 4km to
Pukenui Trig
, one of the highest points of the trip at 1181m. From there
you begin the second half of the day's tramp, following the track along an undulating ridge
of knobs and knolls, from which you're rewarded with spectacular views of Lake Waikare-
moana, 600m below.
Continue along the ridge through mixed beech forest for almost 4km, until you suddenly
break out at a sheer rock bluff that seems to bar the way. Closer inspection reveals a stair-
case and wire up the bluff, where the bush has been cleared.
Panekire Hut (36 bunks) is 100m further on, at
Puketapu Trig
(1185m). Only 10m from
the edge of the bluff, this hut offers the park's best panorama, encompassing most of the
lake,
Huiarau Range
and sometimes even the coastal town of Wairoa. A rainwater tank is
the sole water source at the hut.
Day 2: Panekire Hut to Waiopaoa Hut
3-4 HOURS, 8KM, 580M DESCENT
Continue southwest and follow the main ridge for 3km, gradually descending around bluffs
and rock gullies until the track takes a sharp right swing to the northwest. If the weather is
