By Outdoor Next Editorial standards
On this page
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: -39.93615, 176.14842. 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
- 1 hr 30 min – 4 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
Kashmir Road climbs far and high into Ruahine Forest Park and provides quick access to the high country. Daphne Hut, Awatere Hut and Longview Hut are all accessible by a track from the road.
This DOC directory entry covers Kashmir Road tramping tracks 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: 1 hr 30 min – 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.
Dog access
Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Awatere Hut Track
Time: 1 hr 30 min one way
From the car park at the end of Kashmir Road, the track is easy to follow as it passes through an open and exposed ridge and drops steeply down to red beech forest and the Makaretu River. Across the river and 50 metres downstream is the Awatere Hut.
Daphne Hut Track
Time: 2–3 hr one way
The track starts on a side road off Kashmir Road. Climb a ridge and follow it for 2.5 km before descending down to a side stream to reach the Tukituki River. Follow the main river upstream for 800 m to reach the hut.
Longview Hut Track
Time: 2–3 hr one way
From the end of Kashmir Road, this popular track to Longview Hut offers excellent views.
Follow an old bulldozed track, then climb up the steep and exposed tussock ridge to follow the poled route south.
Caution is required as strong winds are common.
For the more experienced there are tramping opportunities further afield to Top Gorge, Makaretu, Leon Kinvig, and Howlett’s Huts.
Getting there
These tracks are accessed from Kashmir Road.
Around 100 km from Napier or Palmerston North, turn off SH50 onto Makaretu Road, then into Mill Road – the first road on the left. Mill Road becomes gravel after 7 km – continue on for a further 4 km, then turn left into Kashmir Road.
We recommend using a 4WD/AWD as Kashmir Road is very steep.
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.
