- Area
- Ruahine Forest Park
- Distance
- 12.4km
- Total Ascent
- Moderate
- Time
- 2-3 days
- Access
- There is access to the car park across farmland off Renfrew Road. The car park has a toilet and information board.
- Notes & Map
- Pourangaki Hut, Ruahine Forest Park (pdf, 1 MB)
- GPX File
- Pourangaki Hut (gpx, yo 15 KB)
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To make the most of this weekend trip, start it on Friday night with a 1-2hr walk to Rangiwahia Hut (13 bunks).
The following morning, head up the ridge towards the Whanahuia Range.
At the junction, head north towards Maungamahue (1661m). The open tops here make for easy travel and topping out on Maungamahue no problem – even in winter when snow will be thick on the ground.
Then comes the descent to Pourangaki Hut, down a ridge through leatherwood forest. Pourangaki Hut (8 bunks) gets plenty of use, but it’s rare to miss out on a bunk.
On the final day, with views to Taranaki and Ruapehu across the crumpled hills of the Rangitikei and Whanganui country, make your way back the way you have come to the car park.
