Kashmir Road tramping tracks

Located in Ruahine Forest Park in the Hawke’s Bay region

Kashmir Road climbs far and high into Ruahine Forest Park and provides quick access to the high country. Daphne Hut, Awatere Hut and Longview Hut are all accessible by a track from the road.

Awatere Hut Track

Time: 1 hr 30 min one way

From the car park at the end of Kashmir Road, the track is easy to follow as it passes through an open and exposed ridge and drops steeply down to red beech forest and the Makaretu River. Across the river and 50 metres downstream is the Awatere Hut.

Daphne Hut Track

Time: 2–3 hr one way

The track starts on a side road off Kashmir Road. Climb a ridge and follow it for 2.5 km before descending down to a side stream to reach the Tukituki River. Follow the main river upstream for 800 m to reach the hut.

Longview Hut Track

Time: 2–3 hr one way

From the end of Kashmir Road, this popular track to Longview Hut offers excellent views.

Follow an old bulldozed track, then climb up the steep and exposed tussock ridge to follow the poled route south.

Caution is required as strong winds are common.

For the more experienced there are tramping opportunities further afield to Top Gorge, Makaretu, Leon Kinvig, and Howlett’s Huts.

These tracks are accessed from Kashmir Road.

Around 100 km from Napier or Palmerston North, turn off SH50 onto Makaretu Road, then into Mill Road – the first road on the left. Mill Road becomes gravel after 7 km – continue on for a further 4 km, then turn left into Kashmir Road.

We recommend using a 4WD/AWD as Kashmir Road is very steep.