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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: -39.22267, 175.70543. 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
- 6.3 km one way
- Walking time
- 1 hr 40 min one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Tongariro National 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
Walk to the historic Waihohonu Hut, built in 1903/04 and used as a stopover for stage coaches.
This DOC directory entry covers Historic Waihohonu Hut Track in Central North Island, within Tongariro National 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: 6.3 km one way
- Walking time: 1 hr 40 min one way
- 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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The track meanders through beech forest and open tussockland, crossing the Ohinepango Stream. The track emerges at the new Waihohonu Hut, continue straight ahead towards Tama Lakes for about 5 minutes to the next junction. Turn left to reach the historic Waihohonu Hut.
This track can be used to access the Round the Mountain Track and the Tongariro Northern Circuit, or return to the car park via the same track.
Getting there
The track starts on Desert Road (SH 1), 35 km south of Tūrangi or 28 km north of Waiouru. The track is sign posted on the mountain side of the road approximately 150 m south from the Rangipo Intake Road.
Know before you go
No drones
Flying a drone without a permit is strictly prohibited.
Drone use on conservation land
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.
