A 4-5 day east to west
traverse of the Kahurangi National Park
This track is approximately
52km long and crosses two saddles over 1000m high. It follows
the beech forested valleys of the Wangapeka, Karamea, Taipo
and Little Wanganui rivers.
Not as often walked as the Heaphy
Track, but just as good. For the really keen, it can be included
with the Heaphy Track as a round trip or with the Karamea
- Leslie Track as a 6-8 day walk to the Tablelands
The Wangapeka Track is the second
famous track in the vast Kahurangi National Park. At 52 km,
it traverses the park in an east/west direction following
river valleys and crossing two saddles of over 1000m. The
vegetation changes from beech forest in the east to jungle
like podocarp forest in the west, with alpine vegetation on
one of the passes. The route is not as well formed as the
Heaphy Track. Some streams are not bridged, and the huts do
not have gas, so there is a much more sense of wilderness
than the Heaphy or Abel Tasman. There is also the possibility
of doing some fishing and maybe having trout for dinner! The
track is not recommended for those on tight schedules as weather
can delay the trip.
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Itinerary
Day 1 (3-4 hours)
Rolling River to Kings Creek Hut
We leave Nelson or Golden Bay and travel up the Motueka Valley to
Tapawera and then up the broad valley of the Wangapeka River, leaving
human habitation far behind, to the beginning of the track at Rolling
River. Our track goes alongside the river until Kiwi Stream where
a swing bridge crosses the Wangapeka River to the true left and our
destination Kings Creek Hut (30 bunks) is only a half an hour away.
Day 2 (6-7 hours)
Kings Creek Hut to Helicopter Hut
We leave Kings Creek Hut, and shortly pass the recently refurbished
historic Kings Hut built in 1935. We continue up the river till Stone
Hut (12 bunks), then over a huge slip of rock rubble deposited in
an earthquake in 1929, towards the track over the Wangapeka Saddle
(1009m). There is a gentle descent into the headwaters of the Karamea
River where we follow the river downstream to the delightful Helicopter
Hut (12 bunks) for the night. We may be treated to a glimpse of the
rare Blue Duck along this stretch of the track.
Day 3 (3-4 hours)
Helicopter Hut to Taipo Hut
From Helicopter Hut, the track sidles up through bush to the Tabernacle
Lookout, avoiding the dramatic Saxon Falls and providing a spectacular
view down the Karamea Valley. The track then descends steeply to the
Taipo River, which we cross on a swing bridge and turn left to travel
up the Taipo River to the Taipo Hut (18 bunks) for the night
Day 4 (6-7 hours)
Taipo Hut to Belltown Hut
Leaving Taipo Hut, the track starts to gently climb, getting steeper
all the time until we reach Stag Flat where there is a small shelter
among the alpine tussock. There is a sharp ascent to the open grassed
Little Wanganui Saddle (1087m), the highest point of the track with
great views in all directions, including the Tasman Sea. The track
then passes a couple of alpine tarns and drops steeply down to the
Little Wanganui River. We follow the river down to the new Belltown
Hut (10 bunks) for the night.
Day 5 (3 hours)
Belltown Hut to Road end
Leaving Belltown Hut, we continue to the road end where transport
will be waiting to take us to Karamea and The Last Resort for the
night (or direct to Nelson if time is limited).
Day 6 Travel back
to Westport, Murchison, Tapawera, Motueka, Nelson or Golden Bay
Grade Medium
Price includes
• Transport to the Tapawera end of the track.
• The services of a trained guide.
• We supply and cook the food.
• Clients carry pack with personal clothes and sleeping bag,
plus 3-4 kg food.
• Hut passes and bookings.
• Maps.
• 1 night accommodation at the Last Resort Karamea (not meals).
• Transport back to Westport, Murchison, Motueka or Nelson.
Notes
• This is more of a wilderness experience
than the Heaphy or Abel Tasman track, clients need to be a little
fitter and be prepared to carry a little more food.
• The Wangapeka is not an 'all weather track' so clients should
allow an extra day in their schedule to allow for delays due
to poor weather.
To help you plan your trip, we offer the following
list of what to pack.
• 1 Pack of suitable size
(minimum 50lLtrs)
• 1 Plastic inner liner
• 1 Good quality sleeping bag in a plastic bag
• 1 Good quality weatherproof jacket
• 1 Pair of tramping boots (lightweight recommended) •
1 Pair of lightweight sandals for evenings
• 1 Pair trousers or sweat pants for evenings
• Spare underwear
• 1 Hiking shorts (non denim)
• Spare shirts
• 1 Woollen jersey or polarfleece
• 1 Polypropylene longs for winter (or sandflies)
• 1 Polypropylene vest
• 1 Pair gloves
• Spare woollen socks
• 1 Warm hat in winter
• 1 Cool hat in summer
• 1 Toilet gear and towel
• 1 Sun block
• 1 Sandfly lotion
• 1 One Litre drink bottle
• 1 Camera
