Image: Christie Marshall | ©
View on Renfew Road end to Table Flat Road end.
Renfrew Road end to Table Flat Road end

Located in Ruahine Forest Park in the Manawatu/Whanganui region

Climb up and over the tussock tops of the Whanahuia Range in Ruahine Forest Park then drop down to follow the Oroua River valley.

Renfrew Road end to Rangiwahia Hut or Triangle Hut

Time: 2-3 hr or 6-8 hr

Have an easy short day to Rangiwahia Hut (2 - 3 hr) following the well formed Rangiwahia Hut Track or alternatively get an early start and have a long day hiking up past Rangiwahia Hut, over the Whanahuia Range and down to Triangle Hut (6 - 8 hr) in the Oroua River. From Rangiwahia Hut head to the top of the Whanahuia Range, then head north for about 40 minutes to where the Triangle Hut track turns off and descends steeply down the eastern side of the range. Due to travel on the open tops this section should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather.

Rangiwahia Hut or Triangle Hut to Iron Gate Hut

Time: 2-3 hr or 6-8 hr

Depending on where you end up the first night you either have a short day of river and track travel from Triangle Hut to Iron Gate Hut (2 - 3 hr) or a longer day from Rangiwahia Hut to Iron Gate Hut (6 - 8 hr). The first half of the route from Triangle Hut is down the Oroua River and should not be attempted when river levels are high following heavy rain.  A track up and over a ridge eliminates some river travel before descending once again to the river a short distance before Iron Gate Hut which is on the true left.

Day 3: Iron Gate Hut to Table Flat Road end

Time: 4-5 hr

Walk the Iron Gate Hut Track out to Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge (3 - 4 hr) and on to the Oroua carpark at the end of Table Flat Road.

Renfrew Road end

Travel past the villages of Kimbolton and Rangiwahia and continue along Te Para Para Rd and on to Renfrew Road. Follow this to the carpark at the end.

Table Flat Road end

Just past the village of Kimbolton turn right onto Apiti Road which then becomes Oroua Valley Road. Go through Apiti and take the second turn right onto Table Flat Road and continue for several kms. Turn left onto Petersons Road. Take this road to the carpark on farmland at the end of the road.

You will need to make transport arrangements as the end and start points of this hike are different.