Waiwhakaiho Track @ Top Tracks.info

DoC recommended times and track type:

Where is it? Older maps will show the top end of this walk being at the Waiwhakaiho car park and lookout, however it is now much shorter, officially, as the top branches from the Kaiauai Track as this track descends to cross the swing bridge over the Waiwhakaiho River. The track conditions between this point and the Mangaoraka junction suggest that it is used infrequently. In places the stoat trap boxes are the only assurance that you are on the right path. Only a couple of minutes below the Mangaoraka junction (between stoat traps 25 & 26) is a seat high above the river with fantastic views of the valley and up to the mountain. This does offer an opportunity for people wanting a shorter walk to park at the Mangaoraka Picnic area and walk through to the lookout, 30-40 minutes each way. The track although a bit muddy, has two new bridges and is in reasonable condition.
From the lookout the track descends for at least another hour to the junction to the river or Rahiri. Going left to the river will only take a couple of minutes. A swing bridge used to allow you to cross here, the four anchors can still be seen. On the other side of the river rimu, young and old, tower above the other plants. If down at river level, look upstream to see an example of nature’s landscaping, the water comes down in a series of terraces. It could be a place for a picnic, I’d be wary of playing in the swift flowing water. On the track that runs parallel to the river, there is mud, but not enough to be a feature. However, between the junction to the river and Rahiri it certainly is! After a river crossing, resume on the track to the road where careful navigation may save you from getting filthy! At this river crossing it is difficult to pick up the track on the other side, if going towards the road the track continues 30m downstream on the opposite bank, (walking from the road it is even more difficult to pick up, cross, and climb the bank about 30m upstream).
There is another river to cross, a fallen tree was the bridge, this is now unstable and you have to clamber down into the stream, cross and get up the other side. No part of this track is steep. Walking in either direction will take a similar length of time. The varied flora to be seen while on this walk makes it one of the more interesting in the Park in this regard. Features There are rumours of a pa site somewhere in here. A couple of places do appear to have been cleared, and possible earthworks, but maybe these are just fallen trees?
Track Surface This varies but is generally on leaf litter. Accessibility It is a tramping track, check the definitions. Dangers There is a slip in one place, the track is now right on the edge of the river cliff. At this point the track is undercut, so look for alternatives that go further into the bush. This information was gathered while on site in 2004.

Where is it?

Older maps will show the top end of this walk being at the Waiwhakaiho car park and lookout, however it is now much shorter, officially, as the top branches from the Kaiauai Track as this track descends to cross the swing bridge over the Waiwhakaiho River.

The track conditions between this point and the Mangaoraka junction suggest that it is used infrequently. In places the stoat trap boxes are the only assurance that you are on the right path.

Only a couple of minutes below the Mangaoraka junction (between stoat traps 25 & 26) is a seat high above the river with fantastic views of the valley and up to the mountain. This does offer an opportunity for people wanting a shorter walk to park at the Mangaoraka Picnic area and walk through to the lookout, 30-40 minutes each way. The track although a bit muddy, has two new bridges and is in reasonable condition.

From the lookout the track descends for at least another hour to the junction to the river or Rahiri. Going left to the river will only take a couple of minutes. A swing bridge used to allow you to cross here, the four anchors can still be seen. On the other side of the river rimu, young and old, tower above the other plants.

If down at river level, look upstream to see an example of nature’s landscaping, the water comes down in a series of terraces. It could be a place for a picnic, I’d be wary of playing in the swift flowing water.

On the track that runs parallel to the river, there is mud, but not enough to be a feature. However, between the junction to the river and Rahiri it certainly is! After a river crossing, resume on the track to the road where careful navigation may save you from getting filthy! At this river crossing it is difficult to pick up the track on the other side, if going towards the road the track continues 30m downstream on the opposite bank, (walking from the road it is even more difficult to pick up, cross, and climb the bank about 30m upstream).


Waiwhakaiho Track
DoC recommended times and track type:
3 hours 30 minutes each way
tramping track
This interesting walk offers a more serious tramping experience for those with limited time. It runs high above the Waiwhakaiho River providing views of this and the mountain. The stands of mature rimu and rata are a feature of this walk. You can begin at the entrance to the Park on the North Egmont access road, called Rahiri, or descend from the Kaiauai or Waiwhakaiho car parks.