Limestone Road to Pohangina Valley East Road: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

There is a bit of everything on this tramp in the Ruahine Forest Park - open tops, rivers and bush travel.

This DOC directory entry covers Limestone Road to Pohangina Valley East Road 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: 3 days
• 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

Day 1: Limestone Roadend to Leon Kinvig Hut

Times: 5 - 7 hr

Follow Shorts Track to the top of the Ngamoko Range and follow the south-east poled route down a long open ridge towards the new Leon Kinvig hut site, located on an elevated clearing beside the Pohangina River. As a section of this route traverses exposed tops, it should not be attempted in poor visibility or adverse weather.

Note: Until the next Topo50 data update, the map will continue to display the former location of Leon Kinvig Hut. Tracks to the old site have been closed and all associated markings removed. New signage and marked tracks are now in place. The hut’s new, more resilient location is approximately 600 m downstream from the original site.

Day 2: Leon Kinvig Hut to Mid Pohangina Hut

Times: 6 - 8 hr

Travel down the Pohangina River for approximately one hour before taking a short steep 15 minute track on the true left that detours around an impassable gorge. From here return to the river and continue down to Ngamoko Hut (4 - 5 hr) on the true right. Stay in the river from here all the way down to Mid Pohangina Hut (2 - 3 hr) situated in a clearing on the true left. Numerous river crossings are required this day and in times of normal flow are generally below thigh level. Keep an eye out for the endangered whio (Blue duck) who live along this stretch of the river. Note: This route is not possible when river levels are high following heavy rain.

Day 3: Mid Pohangina Hut to Pohangina Valley East Road

Times: 5 - 7 hr

From Mid Pohangina Hut climb a short steep section of track up and over a rocky promontory before descending down to the river. The swingbridge has been removed so follow a marked detour off the main track to the river crossing. The track then climbs and sidles high above the river for 3 - 4 hours before dropping down to the park boundary and out across farmland to Pohangina Valley East Road.

Alternative option

To get a round trip, stay the second night at Ngamoko Hut and on the third day climb up behind the hut onto the Ngamoko Range and travel north until reaching the Shorts Track turnoff which leads back down to Limestone Road.

Getting there

Turn right onto Apiti Road just past the village of Kimbolton. This becomes Oroua Valley Road before Apiti. Table Flat Road turns off to the right past Apiti. Follow this until you see the signpost for Limestone Road (veer to the right near the end of Table Flat Road). Wind along Limestone Road till you get to the DOC carpark at the end.

You will need to make transport arrangements as the end and start points of this hike are different.

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.