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Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 2 hr return
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Kaweka 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 sidles through beech forest, in and out of side stream gullies, in a northerly direction towards Kaweka Flats Bivouac.
This DOC directory entry covers Kaweka Flats Track in Hawke's Bay, within Kaweka 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: 2 hr return
- 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 benched track leaves from behind Makahu Saddle Hut. The vegetation on the main track gradually changes to thick regenerating manuka.
About 40 minutes from the saddle the track descends to a large creek and heads up to a large manuka covered plateau. Kaweka Flats, a large grassy clearing at the base of Dicks Spur, is 10 minutes from here. A small bivouac is located on the clearing.
Further afield
To the north, the track continues from Kaweka Flats to Middle Hill Hut, climbs over to Ballard Hut and returns along the main range. A trip from Makahu Saddle to Makahu Road in the north east of the park, via Kaweka Flats and Middle Hill Hut, is a good day or overnight possibility. There are also good tramping options from Ballard and Middle Hill to the remote north western area of the park.
Getting there
Kaweka Road is located 65 km north-west of Napier. From Napier follow Puketitiri Road for 36 km before turning left into Whittle Road. Kaweka Road is the first road on the right.
Whittle Road passes partly through farmland before reaching the park entrance. Leave all gates as found.
This road may be closed at times during winter because of snow.
Kaweka Forest Park access conditions
We recommend 4WD vehicles to reduce wear on the road and safe travel.
Lotkow Road: The river crossings are regularly changing, check before crossing.
Lakes carpark is accessible via Kuripapango road. The previous access Castle Rock road is now closed due to ongoing forestry operations.
Lawrence Carpark access road: The last 600 m of the road is steep and not recommended for 2WD vehicles - a parking space is available before the descent. The Lawrence swing bridge has been removed.
Mackintosh car park is currently closed due to ongoing forestry operations. A new parking location can be located at a skid site near the closed gate (end of Kuripapango Road), this will add on 500 m walking to reach the start of the track.
Whittle Road: Be aware of trucks using the quarry. Give them right of way where possible.
Know before you go
Weather forecast
Kaweka J Summit weather forecast - NIWA website
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.
