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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: -40.16682, 175.90177. 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
- 4-6 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
Take a steep climb through forest to the rocky open knolls of Maharahara high point in the Ruahine Forest Park.
This DOC directory entry covers Maharahara Peak 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 4-6 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 is a well defined but often muddy track that climbs steeply through typical southern Ruahine rimu, kamahi and tawa forest. Higher up the track passes through more shrubby species such as horopito, flax and pink pine. From here it heads across a series of open, rocky knolls to Mt Maharahara. The scratchy, leathery leaved shrub leatherwood is evident on the tops here. The southern Ruahine ranges have the largest, unbroken mass of leatherwood in New Zealand.
If transport has been arranged it is possible to continue on past Maharahara and complete a west-east crossing of the park coming out at either Kumeti or Fairbrothers Road. Allow 7-9 hr for these options.
Getting there
From Ashhurst head north up the Pohangina Valley and turn onto the Pohangina Valley East Road. Follow this until you reach the Opawe Road turnoff on your right just before the Highland Youth Camp. The track to Maharahara crosses farm land from the end of this road.
Nature and conservation
The rata and kamahi forest that once thrived in this southern area of the park has been severely damaged over the years by possums. Introduced as early as the 1890’s, their chomping, in combination with high winds, heavy rains and slips, contributed to a major forest collapse by the 1950’s. Today the forest has more horopito, rangiora, bush lawyer and toetoe - all species possums don’t favour.
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.
