Wangapeka Track Voyage Tips and guide

The Wangapeka Track is a tramping track that crosses Kahurangi National Park in the north-west of the South Island of New Zealand, between the Nelson Bays region and the northern part of the West Coast region. It contains rain forest, river walks, steep climbs and creek and river crossings. It is one of the Department of Conservation (DOC) more difficult walks.

A large part of the track is classified as a Route. The route is challenging multi-day tramping for people who can be completely self-sufficient and with a high level of back country skills and experience. Both navigation and survival skills may be required, the tracks are mostly unformed and natural, and may be rough, muddy, steep with unbridged streams and river crossings. Track markers may be triangular markers, poles and rock cairns. Due to remoteness and lower levels of track maintenance, track markings may not always be clear. See DOC track categories.

The 59 km (37 mi) Wangapeka tramping track is a premier route through the spectacular wilderness of Kahurangi National Park. Spanning the width of the island over 4 to 6 days, the track connects the Rolling River Junction in the Waimea Basin to the east with the West Coast near Little Wanganui and Karamea.

The journey traverses a stunning array of landscapes, leading trampers through verdant, old-growth temperate rainforests and across two mountain saddles exceeding 1,000 m. Along the way, the path meets numerous pristine creeks and rivers; while many are bridged, others remain unbridged and require careful crossing.

Access and Conservation Mountain bikes are strictly prohibited at all times. The track is not permitted for cycling and the terrain—characterized by steep, rugged inclines—is physically unsuitable for bikes. Additionally, visitors must take rigorous precautions against the spread of Didymo to protect the park's untouched waterways.

Successful navigation of the track depends on meticulous advance planning and preparation. Before departing, you must purchase a DOC back country pass for hut use and ensure you have a comprehensive first aid kit to treat common issues like blisters, sprains, or abrasions. Because the park receives around 4 metres of rainfall annually, wet-weather gear is essential, and you should pack extra sets of wool or synthetic clothing to change into at night, as cotton is unsuitable for these conditions. Additionally, carrying insect repellent is vital to protect against the persistent sandflies and midges found throughout the forest.

There are no opportunities to purchase food or supplies once you begin, so you must pack a complete menu of high-energy, low-weight meals and snacks. It is critical to carry at least one extra day’s worth of emergency rations in case of delays. Since the huts are standard back-country facilities, they do not provide cooking equipment or fuel. You are responsible for bringing your own portable stove, fuel, matches, and basic utensils such as a pot and a spork.

Water is readily available from hut tanks, streams, and rainfall, but it is not tested for Giardia. While some hikers drink it untreated, it is recommended to use a filter, sterilization tablets, or boiling as a precaution. To maintain hydration during continuous activity, you should carry an easily accessible water bottle or hydration bladder.

The route features six standard huts and three smaller shelters. These huts operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no booking system, so you may need to sleep on the floor or pitch a tent if they are at capacity. While mattresses are provided, there are no linens or heating in the bunkrooms; a warm sleeping bag is essential for survival in the cold alpine temperatures. Because the shared bunkrooms can be noisy, earplugs are suggested for light sleepers. Huts generally feature wood heaters in common areas, but you may need to collect dead wood yourself and should always clean the grate after use.

The climate is notoriously wet and unpredictable at any time of year, though February is generally the least wet month. Snow can fall in alpine areas during any season and frequently becomes a significant impediment at the Little Wanganui Saddle during the winter months. Because weather or sandflies may force you to stay indoors, it is wise to bring a book or small game for evening entertainment.

The track can be walked in either direction from East to West or West to East.

The nearest town to the Eastern of end of the track is Tapawera and is easily accessible from Nelson via car or bus by such carriers as Tracknet. The -41.442172.58441 Siberia Flat Campsite is at the eastern end of the track.

The Western end of the walk is a parking area at the -41.4436172.58171 car park on Wangapeka Road near Little Wanganui about 20 km (12.4 mi) from Karamea and is accessible by car and bus via Westport. There is also a local airport at Karamea.

Firms like Tracknet or Trek Express can provide transport to the beginning of the track but must be booked in advance. As the Wangapeka is a route and therefore a difficult tramp, there are not many people on the track at any time nor people needing transport to the beginning or from the end of the walk. Making an early booking and walking as a group will improve your chances of being able to arrange transport when you need it.

An alternative is to use a car at one end of the track and have it relocated by Heaphy Track Help.

Map of Wangapeka Track

Times have been extended by 1 hour from the DOC's track notes due to the deterioration of the track since it was downgraded from a track. This is consistent with verbal advice from DOC, and depending on the experience and fitness of trampers, may still be insufficient to cover the distance. The Taipo to Belltown Manunui Hut section in particular is expected to take longer than the extended time provided due to its difficulty.

From Rolling River Carpark the track follows easy terrain through the lower valley. This first section, through to Stone Hut, is classified as track standard and is straightforward to follow. -41.465732172.4806182 Kings Creek Hut has 20 bunks (standard), heating, water, and a toilet, with campsites available by the river. A short 5-minute detour leads to -41.466981172.47943 Cecil Kings Hut, a small historic hut from the 1930s with 4 bunks, heating, water, and a toilet. Cecil King was a sailor who became a gold prospector in the valley during the Depression.

The track climbs steadily along the river to -41.420831172.4393924 Stone Hut, which has 10 bunks (standard), heating, water, and a toilet, with campsites available by the river. Near here is a monument to Jonathan Brough, the surveyor of the track and leader of the construction gang for the benched sections. In 1898 he built a framed slab hut known as Brough’s Tabernacle. From this point onward, the remainder of the tramp is classified as a route and requires back country skills and experience.

The route becomes more challenging, climbing over -41.4248172.42162 Wangapeka Saddle at 1,009 m. A side track to Big Top heads north from the saddle. -41.4161172.36115 Helicopter Flat Hut has 10 bunks (standard), heating, water, and a toilet, with campsites available by the river.

The track is well benched but includes minor challenges and creek and river crossings that may be impassable after heavy rain. -41.396492172.3102726 Taipo Hut has 16 bunks (standard), heating, water, and a toilet, with campsites available near the hut.

This is the most challenging section of the track, with a steep climb up and down from Little Wanganui Saddle at 1,087 m, along with old and new landslips diverting the route and tree falls impeding progress. Just before the saddle you pass -41.3965172.29537 Stag Hut Shelter, a 2-bunk emergency shelter with water and a toilet. On the far side of the saddle, 150 m off the track, is Wanganui Bivvy, another 2-bunk emergency shelter with water and a toilet. -41.3498172.23698 Belltown Manunui Hut has 10 bunks (standard), heating, water, and a toilet.

Much of this section is easy walking, though some steep scrambles remain. Riverbank erosion can disrupt the track. The route ends at -41.35285172.141433 Wangapeka Road Car Park.

The weather in the Kahurangi National Park can change very quickly and the exposed areas can experience high winds and dense cloud. Don't take any weather warnings lightly.

River and Creeks can rise quickly after rain and if unbridged, become impassable. Be patient as they fall as quickly as they rise. It may take a day and less frequently even two days but it is worth the wait to be safe. If crossing a deeper creek or river shuffle your feet along slowly to get though the water. If you can hear stones rolling along the bottom with the flow of the water, don't cross, its too dangerous.

Other safety equipment to take are:

• a good first aid kit;
• a personal locator beacon;
• temperate remote country clothing, wool or specifically designed synthetics;
• good sturdy boots;
• wet weather gear.

Note: this is an area that experiences high rainfall at all times of the year.

The NZ Met Service publishes regular weather updates for Kahurangi National Park on their website.

• South to Murchison or Westport
• North to Motueka, Mapua, Wakefield or Nelson

• Heaphy Track
• Kepler Track
• Milford Track
• Routeburn Track
• For other tracks, see Tramping in New Zealand.