Te Pua-a-Tāne Circuit
Located in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park in the East Coast region
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Introduction
The Te Pua-a-Tāne Circuit is the ultimate Whirinaki challenge for the more adventurous.78.7 km loop
Dog access
Image gallery
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Te Hoe Bluffs section before Central Te Hoe Hut Image: Neil Hutton ©
![Te Hoe Bluffs section before Central Te Hoe Hut.]( "Te Hoe Bluffs section before Central Te Hoe Hut.")
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Sign on the track Image: Neil Hutton ©
![Sign on the track.]( "Sign on the track.")
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Whirinaki river Image: Neil Hutton ©
![Whirinaki river.]( "Whirinaki river.")
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Whio on the river Image: Neil Hutton ©
![Whio on the river.]( "Whio on the river.")
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View of Maungataniwha Image: David Finn | DOC
![View of Maungataniwha.]( "View of Maungataniwha.")
Te Pua-a-Tāne Circuit elevation profile part 1 – view larger in Whirinaki walks brochure
Te Pua-a-Tāne Circuit elevation profile part 2 – view larger in Whirinaki walks brochure
Traversing nearly 80 km around the park, trampers will experience the full range of the Whirinaki’s prehistoric forest.
Day 1: River Road car park to Central Whirinaki Hut
Time: 5 hr
Distance: 16 km
Begin at the River Road car park and travel towards the Whirinaki Waterfall, then Vern’s Camp, and stay overnight at Central Whirinaki Hut.
Day 2: Central Whirinaki Hut to Upper Te Hoe Hut
Time: 10 hr
Distance: 17.7 km
From Central Whirinaki Hut continue south along the Whirinaki River. The track will fork at the Taumutu bridge. Rather than crossing the bridge, keep left and follow the Taumutu Stream to Upper Whirinaki Hut. From Upper Whirinaki Hut its another 6 hr 30 min (11 km) to Upper Te Hoe Hut where you’ll stop for night two.
Day 3: Upper Te Hoe Hut to Mangakahika Hut
Time: 8 hr 30 min
Distance: 15 km
The track climbs about 300 m before dropping down to the Te Hoe bluffs on the way to Central Te Hoe Hut. Cross the Te Hoe suspension bridge for a lunch break at Central Te Hoe Hut – Whirinaki’s southernmost hut. After lunch, backtrack across the suspension bridge and carry on north for 3 hr 30 min (8.5 km) to Mangakahika Hut for night three.
Note: Parallel Creek bridge is closed due to cyclone damage in 2017. The bridge is 10 minutes north of Central Te Hoe Hut along the track to Mangakahika Hut. A temporary marked track has been added for people to cross. Cross the creek below the bridge or where it is low and safe to do so. Check the weather forecast for rain or previous rainfall, as this will cause the stream to rise rapidly.
Day 4: Mangakahika Hut to Moerangi Hut
Time: 6 hr 30 min
Distance: 17 km
On day four the track climbs up over a saddle before dropping down to Rogers Hut 3 hr 30 min (8.5 km). At Rogers take the track along the Moerangi Stream towards Moerangi Hut. Its another 3 hr (9 km) of easy walking from Rogers to Moerangi and night number four.
Day 5: Moerangi Hut to River Road carpark
Time: 4 hr 30 min
Distance: 13 km
The final day is 4 hr 30 min (13 km) of walking and a big climb up and over the Moerangi saddle (955 m). The track travels downhill from the saddle into lowland podocarp forest. Finish where you started at the River Road car park.
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is 90 km south east of Rotorua.
Turn off SH5 onto SH38. At Te Waiti, turn into Minginui Road, then into River Road (gravel) at Minginui village.
NZTopo50 map sheets: BG38 (Wairapukao), BG39 (Ruatahuna), BH38 (Te Haroto), BH39 (Putorino).
Track condition
This site may be damaged with slips, flooding or fallen trees from severe weather. Be prepared to turn back if needed.
Do you know what ‘Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne’ means?
Te Pua-a-Tāne means the abundance or the blossoming of Tane. For Māori, Tāne is god of the forest and all the creatures within the forest. As one of New Zealand’s greatest forests Whirinaki represents Tāne’s domain In its fullest and most abundant state.
Stay safe in the outdoors
- Choose the right trip for you. Learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it.
- Understand the weather. Check weather forecasts.
- Pack warm clothes and extra food. Check gear lists.
- Share your plans and take ways to get help. Share directly or use the Outdoor Intentions form or Plan My Walk. Take a distress beacon.
- Take care of yourself and each other.
Contacts
| DOC Customer Service Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0800 275 362 |
| easternbop@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | DOC offices |