Mangleton Road to Parks Peak Ridge

This track provides direct but steep access to the top of the range. After passing through manuka and kanuka it breaks out onto open rocky knolls providing excellent viewpoints (50 minutes). Continuing uphill through beech forest for another 1.5 hours will bring you to meet with the track which leads along the top of the range.

From the top of the track a 15-20 minute walk to the north leads to Pohatuhaha Trig (1368 metres), a good viewing point. The track continues north to link with the northern end of the main Ruahine Range, Golden Crown Ridge and No Man's Road. To the south the track leads to Parks Peak Hut (40-50 minutes) and the Upper Makaroro Hut (2-2.5 hours). 

Mangleton Road is the closest Ruahine Forest Park access road to Hastings and Napier. Mangleton Road is reached via Big Hill Road. Big Hill Road is approximately 45 km from Hastings or 60 km from Napier. Follow State Highway 50 to Maraekakaho and turn right into Kereru Road. On reaching Kereru, turn right into Big Hill Road. The turnoff to Mangleton Road is on the right.

10 kilometres along Mangleton Road a sign marks the start of a public right of way to Masters Shelter. A 1.5 kilometre drive across paddocks leads to a carpark and the park boundary. Masters Shelter is 100 metres from the carpark.