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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: -38.41268, 174.79931. 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
- 17 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 6 hr return
- Track grade
- Intermediate
- Location
- Whareorino Conservation Area
- Dog access
- Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. 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 leads to Leitch's clearing and Leitch's Hut.
This DOC directory entry covers Leitch's Track in Waikato, within Whareorino Conservation Area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 17 km return via same track
- Walking time: 6 hr return
- DOC grade: Intermediate
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 operation in Whareorino Conservation Area; First published on 27 May 2026. Last reviewed on 1 July 2026.
Storm damage on Leitch's Hut Walking Track; First published on 17 October 2025. Last reviewed on 30 June 2026.
Dog access
Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
From the car park at the end of Leitch Road, follow the track into Whareorino forest. It's a former surveyed road and is well graded.
Starting at a farm gate, the track passes farmland as it climbs before entering bush. The track decends to Leitch's clearing – walk across the clearing to reach the hut.
There are no major streams to cross on this track.
Getting there
From Piopio, turn west onto Mangaotaki Road then onto Leitch Road. The car park and entrance to the track is at the end of the road. Leitch Road (5.5km) has a gravel surface.
Know before you go
Keep to the tracks to prevent the spread of chytrid fungus that affects the endangered Archey's frog.
Illegal poisons were found around this track in 2020 and dog permits were suspended. There has been no evidence of poison since then, and dog permits are available. But visitors should remain vigilant and report any suspicious acticity to the local office.
Maps: Use NZTopo50 BF31 (Marokopa ) and BF32 (Piopio)
History and culture
The hut and clearing at the headwaters of the Awakino River are the site of the former homestead of Sam Leitch, who lived in the area from 1902 to 1922. After taking part in a survey of the area, he was convinced the location would be important since it was at the junction of some proposed roads. Alas, the roads weren’t built and the area never quite became as significant as he thought, but there is now a lovely clearing and hut for trampers at the site of his former homestead.
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.
