Intro

• Fantastic views of the Tongariro mountains
• River travel
• An excellent hiking hut
• A remote backcountry experience

How Long:

The hike is long (32 km) and is best done as an overnight trip, breaking the walk into 14 km and 18 km days. The trip can be done in either direction but will be described here from Umukarikari to Urchin.

In terms of driving it is approximately 4.5 hours to Turangi. From here it is another 45 minutes drive up to the Umukarikari car park and the start of the track. Unfortunately the track ends at a different location (Urchin car park) and thus you will either need to organise a vehicle drop off and pick up or rely on somebody fit to run back (6 km) and pick of the car when you are done.

This trip involves a number of river crossings, in fact the track just follows the river in places, thus if the forecast is for rain - do something else.

The START

• Head south from Turangi (or north from Waiouru) on highway one until you see Kaimanawa Road on your left (or right). The roads to both car parks and camping areas are off Kaimanawa road (a map would be highly recommended).
• Once you have found the correct car park unload your gear here and make preparations for the hike. 
• As there is a good camping spot nearby mad people from Auckland could fit this trip into a weekend. Leave early on a Friday and drive all the way down to the Kaimanawas, camp, and then begin hiking on Saturday morning. If you want to do this we would suggest doing the trip in the opposite direction so as to have a shorter day on the second day. Alternatively take a tent and camp - see below.

Note: This hike does not start and finish in the same place, so you (or someone) is either going to have to do some extra walking/running now or at the end of the walk. We would reccommend you organise the car first (get it to the finish of the track), rather than when you get back and are tired. Last time we left our car at the camping ground close to the finish of the hike (yeah you need a map!).

Stay/Eat/Drink

There are also plenty of potential camping sites beside the Waipakihi river so if you want to be completely self sufficient or save time on the second day this is a good option.

If you want somewhere to stay before the hike there are camping areas off Kaimanawa Road (grab a map of the area to help you find them). These are pretty sweet and make for an easy start to your hike.
 
Food and drink

There is no food provided at the hut so you will need to carry everything with you. The closest supermarket is in Turangi but we would recommend sorting your food out before you leave Auckland. Take a couple of lunches, one dinner, one breakfast and some yummy energy snacks to get you up the hills. If you are attempting this trip you have presumably hiked before (if not try the Pinnacles hike and so have some idea about what to take).

What to DO

• The description that follows is from the Umukarikari car park to the Urchin car park.
• The hike starts off with a steep two-hour climb through beech forest to the open tops. Once on the tops you will (if the weather is good) be treated to awesome views over Tongariro National Park. From here the easy track follows a poled route along the Umukarikari range up and over a high point of 1591 metres. The track then descends very steeply down to the Waipakihi river and hut. Expect the open top section and descent to take about 4 hours. 
• The hut is in an excellent location. Unpack your gear if you are staying here. Alternatively if you were planning on camping further along the track then continue on.  
• The hut also has a great fire place and is a great place to spend an evening/afternoon.

Next morning

• In the morning the track basically follows the Waipakihi river downstream. You will be constantly crossing and re-crossing the river all day so don't even try to keep your feet dry. It is 11.5 km downstream to the track (on your right) that will take you back over the Umukarikari range to the car park. The walk is relatively straight forward (for those experienced in river travel) and you can follow the shingle banks and river flats for much of it. Upon reaching the track, look out for a small sign ("track") and orange triangle on your right, everything changes.
• The climb up back onto the tops is very steep and is a bit of a shock after a cruisey day in the river. The track then traverses the open tops again before descending back down to the Urchin car park. Expect to take 3-4 hours to reach the car park once you leave the river.
• Now where did you leave that car?

Note: it is a long way down the river, when we did this trip we kept on thinking we had missed the track but we hadn't. Expect to take at least 4 hours on the river section (not including stops). 

Heading for Home

Return to Auckland the same way, maybe stop in Taupo for a soak in the hotpools (off Spa Road).

What to TAKE

• Sleeping bag
• Food for 2 days
• Pots, pans and cutlery
• A cooker
• One litre water bottle (there is water in the hut and rivers)
• Sensible walking shoes
• Warm clothes
• Raincoat
• Sun block
• Insect repellent
• First Aid kit
• Torch
• Candle and matches/lighter
• Tent and sleeping mat (if you intend to camp).
• A rubbish bag
• A map of the area (people have got lost here).
   

Don’t forget

• To check the weather forecast and take a map!
• There are no rubbish bins provided in the park - so what you carry in you must carry out (think about this before you pack)
   
  

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