Mount Hikurangi - Te Ara ki Hikurangi

Time:

• Car park to hut: 4 - 5 hr
• Hut to summit: 2 - 3 hr

Walk across Pakihiroa station to Hikurangi summit. Yellow markers show the route from the carpark to the hut and most of this section follows a farm track.

Once at the hut, marker poles show the route from the hut up the mountain. However, the last 400m up a steep scree slope is unmarked and not maintained – keep left all the way.

Getting there

The track starts 25 km from Ruatoria. Turn off SH 35 onto the Tapuaeroa Valley Road and follow the signs for Pakihiroa Station.

There is a formal car park just below the station manager's house. There is no public vehicle access past this point.

Know before you go:

Private farmland

Te Ara ki Hikurangi track crosses private farmland. Leave gates as you find them. Don't disturb stock – keep your distance, and walk around cattle if safe. 

The track may be closed for short periods during the year for farming or cultural reasons. All closures will be publicly notified. 

Contact Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou before you start:

Address: 1 Barrys Avenue, Ruatoria 4032
Phone: +64 6 864 9004
Email: [email protected] 

Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou offers tours of the Maui Whakairo (including options for hikers). 

Experience required

You need above average fitness and a high level of experience in backcountry navigation and survival. 

What to expect

Mt Hikurangi is an alpine environment (1752 m). The weather is unpredictable and can change rapidly. Expect rain, fog, cloud, strong winds, snow, and extreme cold at any time of the year. Be prepared to turn back if weather conditions deteriorate.

This track is designed for walking during daylight hours only and is not safe to attempt in poor visibility.

The last 400 m is a scree slope. It's steep with unstable footing. Watch your footing to avoid causing rockfall and injury – extreme care is required. Do not attempt in conditions that are wet, windy, icy, or visibility is poor.

What to take

• Take warm and waterproof clothing
• Some form of communication
• Carry water and food.
• Use map NZTopo50 BE44 Te Puia Springs. These can be purchased from local map stockists.

Accommodation

There is a hut available for public use on the track. It is administered by and bookings should be made through Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou. Check alerts on this page to find out if it is closed. Camping is not permitted.

Be aware

No dogs, no guns, and no mountain bikes are to be taken onto Pakihiroa Station.

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process (external site) on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.

Source: Department of Conservation