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Key facts
- Distance
- 5 km one way
- Walking time
- 2 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Ruahine Forest Park
- Dog access
- Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. 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 can be used to access Stanfield Hut and makes for a lovely day walk.
This DOC directory entry covers Homes 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: 5 km one way
- Walking time: 2 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.
Dog access
Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track begins with a short steep bush section then leads onto an old farm track that runs along Homes Ridge.
The track ends after 4 km, 1 km before Stanfield Hut. Visitors can continue along a bush track for 300 m dropping down to the river. Follow the river upstream for 700 m to Stanfield Hut on the true right of the river (exit the river at the large orange triangles).
A loop walk can be made by walking to Stanfield Hut via the Homes Track one way and back to Tamaki West Road end via the Tamaki River West branch (or vice versa).
Getting there
This track is located at the end of Tamaki West Road, Dannevirke. It is a 1 hr/60 km drive from Palmerston North and a 1 hr 30 min/130 km drive from Napier.
Park at the road end, and follow the signs 200 m to the picnic area. The track starts from the picnic area. This area has flush toilets and a shelter with picnic tables.
Know before you go
This track crosses the Tamaki River West Branch near the start of the track. This river runs high and fast at times. It’s dangerous to cross or follow the river when the water level is high which can occur during or after heavy rain. How to cross rivers safely.
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.
