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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -39.75651, 176.21339. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 3-4 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Ruahine Forest Park
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This track follows a long gentle ridge to the Gold Creek Hut.
This DOC directory entry covers Gold Creek Ridge Track in Manawatu-Whanganui, within Ruahine Forest Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 3-4 hr
- DOC grade: Advanced
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
- Predator control for Ruahine Forest Park – north-east Ruahine; First published on 7 January 2026. Last reviewed on 6 October 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
From the Makaroro River where it meets Gold Creek, a track starts on the true right of Gold Creek and follows a long gentle ridge through beech forest with horopito undergrowth. It turns right and descends to the hut which is on the true left of Gold Creek.
A round trip (6-7 hours) can be completed here by returning down Gold Creek. This river route is not recommended for the inexperienced. Time given is from road end.
Getting there
Wakarara Road is approximately 75 km from Napier. Turn onto Wakarara Road from SH50 and follow for approximately 26.5 km to the end of Wakarara Road.
There is no vehicle access to the Ruahine Forest Park from the Wakarara Roadend. You will need to cross the Makaroro River.
From the carpark, follow a poled route (marked with orange track markers) along the farmers fence line and through a paddock down to the river.
Know before you go
This track requires crossing the Makaroro River or a walk up the riverbed. It is dangerous to attempt to cross the river when the water level is higher than normal.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
