Rangiwahia Track & hut
Rangiwahia track is one of the most popular walks in the Ruahine Forest Park. The start of the track is about 15 minutes east of Rangiwahia village. To get to the car park, travel through Rangiwahia, and via right onto Te Parapara Road and then left onto Renfrew Road.
Follow this gravel road up to the car park. You will need to open and shut a couple of gates as you drive through farm land.
Follow this gravel road up to the car park. You will need to open and shut a couple of gates as you drive through farm land.
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THE TRACK. Once you are at the car park, there is a short walk up a hill to the start of the track. You immediately enter the bush, with Dead Man’s track to the right. There is a steady grade until you reach a detour around a large slip, which takes about 30-40 minutes walk. After crossing the arched-wooden bridge, the grade becomes steeper, heading up through smaller shrub species and past a waterfall to reach the Rangiwahia Hut. You will need about 2 hours each way depending on your fitness level. BIRD LIFE Grey Warbler, Tomtit, Wax Eye, Fantail, Shining Cuckoo, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, Yellow Hammer, Black bird or Thrush can be seen or heard from the track. You may even be fortunate to spot the tiniest NZ endemic bird, the Rifleman. Pippits & Skylarks are seen mainly in the tussock region. |
THE HUT. Rangiwahia Hut is a serviced 13 bunk hut, which includes water, a free-standing wood burner, double-glazed windows, and cooking facilities. If you are planning to stay in the hut you will need to pre-purchase hut tickets from a DOC office, local i-Site or some outdoor retail stores. THE WOODSHED. Unfortunately for any occupants, the woodshed has been built quite a walk from the hut! Who wants to go out on a freezing cold night to bring in firewood? Was there method in DOC’s madness? If the shed were closer, perhaps more wood would be used! TOILET BLOCK. This is separate from the hut. Mangaweka artist, Julie Oliver, expertly painted the toilet block and the woodshed with endemic birds. These include Tui, Blue Duck (Whio) and the Wood Pigeon (Kereru). SPECIAL FEATURES. There are old wooden skis attached to the sides of the walls and verandah supports; all a reminder of the once popular Rangiwahia Ski Field. |
Outdoor Safety Code: 1. Plan your trip 2. Tell someone 3. Be aware of the weather 4. Know your limits 5. Take sufficient supplies For more information visit Adventure Smart |
