Day 1: Mangakukeke Roadend to Purity Hut

Time: 3 - 4 hr

Climb the marked Purity Hut Track through farmland and forest to Purity Hut, nestled above the bushline on the Hikurangi Range.

Day 2: Purity Hut to Kelly Knight Hut

Time: 4 - 5 hr

The track follows on up a tussock ridge from Purity Hut to Wooden Peg (1672 m). From here a roughly poled route heads south, then descends through forest to Kelly Knight Hut in the Pourangaki River valley. Due to travel on the open tops this section should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather.

Day 3: Kelly Knight Hut to Mangakukeke Roadend

Time: 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr 30 min

Walk the sidle Kelly Knight Track out from Kelly Knight Hut to the entrance point on Kohunui Station and then follow the farm road back out to the Purity carpark.

Heading just north from Mangaweka turn right off SH1, cross the Rangitikei River and follow Kawhatau Valley Road. This eventually leads to Upper Kawhatau Valley Road and not far past this turn right onto Mangakukeke Road. Follow this to the carpark at the end.

Access is closed from 1 June to 31 October and may be closed at other times of the year for farm management purposes.

You need permission to get access to the hut

You can arrange access by phoning the farm owner and requesting access over the farm at least 48 hours before your visit. The continued use of access across this farm is dependent on every party gaining permission from the farm owner every time.

Contact DOC Manawatu Office for contact details of the farm owner.

Be aware of hazards such as livestock and electric fences.

Visitors must not hunt or bring loaded firearms on to private property, use spotlights or light fires.

Abuse of access will result in trespass prosecution, and permanent closure of public access.