Makahu Road Circuit (via Makino Hut and Te Puia Lodge): Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

A tramp featuring two huts and hot springs, starting and ending at Makahu Road

This DOC directory entry covers Makahu Road Circuit (via Makino Hut and Te Puia Lodge) 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: 6-7 hrs
• 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

Makahu Road Circuit (via Makino Hut and Te Puia Lodge) is an interesting day or overnight trip.

Makahu Road to Makino Hut (Makino Track) or Makino-Te Puia track junction

A short distance after Makahu Road enters the park it climbs to a saddle. It is from this point the track to Makino Hut leaves the road. There is a small carpark, for about 4 vehicles, and an information panel here.

The track leads up a manuka ridge for 20 minutes (plus climb) – from where there are good views of the Mohaka valley and surrounding plateau farmland. Look and listen for fernbirds in the ground level scrubland and listen for kiwi at night. The track continues along a manuka covered flat, then climbs again to a further flat section. Manuka vegetation gives way to red beech as altitude is gained. The track continues past the Middle Hill turnoff to the left, then to the right to Te Puia Lodge.

If you are not planning to visit Makino Hut, then take the turnoff to Te Puia Lodge. Otherwise, continue on Makino Track. About 15 - 20 minutes from this junction, in a small clearing, is Makino Hut.

Makino Hut (or Makino-Te Puia track junction) to Te Puia Lodge

If you went to Makino Hut, return back down Makino Track until you reach the track junction to Te Puia Lodge. Take this track, which descends steeply for around 1.85 km into the Mohaka River valley.

Once the track reaches the valley, it joins Te Puia Track. Follow the track downstream for a short distance, until you reach Te Puia Lodge.

Side-trip: Visit Mangatainoka Hot Springs

From the junction of the track from Makino Hut with Te Puia Track, you can continue upstream to visit Mangatainoka Hot Springs.

The track crosses a bridge over the Makino River just above its confluence with the Mohaka River.

The track then continues alongside the Mohaka, through native bush with some rolling terrain. Steep drop-offs in some sections lend nice views of the surrounding foothills. There is a final steep descent to reach the hot springs.

At the hot springs, there are 3 pools surrounded by a decking area. These pools have valves to control water flow and to empty the tubs. The hot springs are on a small manuka terrace beside the Mohaka River.

The Mangatainoka Hot Springs Campsite is adjacent to the pools. If you wish to travel up the river from the hot springs, it's private land and prior permission from the landowner is required.

Te Puia Lodge to Makahu Road and Mangatutu Hot Springs

From Te Puia Lodge, follow the track down the true right of the Mokaha River to the end of Makahu Road.

Mangatutu Hot Springs Campsite is at the end of the track. A short, steep track descends from the campsite to Mangatutu Hot Springs. Thermal water issues from a deep hole in an undercut bank near the top terrace. The water trickles down a riverside bluff, where it is channelled into two pools.

Makahu Road end back to car park

Return to your starting point by following Makahu Road (either walking or arranging transport). Take care if you plan to walk on the road.

The whole loop can also be done in reverse: Mangatutu to Te Puia, to Makino then out to the road.

Getting there

Makahu Road is 75 km north-west of Napier. From Napier follow Puketitiri Road for 40 km before turning right into Pakaututu Road. Makahu Road is 9 km on the left.

At the very end of the road, 500 metres from the Mangatutu Hot Springs and camping area, is "The Gums" parking area and shelter. The tracks to Te Puia Lodge and Mangatainoka Hot Springs begin here.

The trip involves about 1 hr of travel on unsealed gravel roads. There is a river ford on Makahu Road 7.5 km from the road end – heavy rain and snow melt can affect the water level.

Makahu Road is steep and narrow in places. It may be slippery when wet. Take extra caution driving this road.The road is not suitable for caravans or campervans.

Check with Hasting's District Council (external site) for road closures.

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

Be ready for mountain weather

This is a mountainous area. Visitors should be prepared for sudden weather changes, whiteouts, high winds on the ranges and rapidly rising water levels in rivers and streams.

Check the weather before you go. Kaweka J Summit weather forecast

Pack for all conditions and be ready for weather delays, including with an emergency shelter, spare food and a distress beacon. Packing lists

Expect a rough, slippery track

Parts of this circuit are backcountry tramping tracks and are rough, muddy and slippery (especially after rain). The circuit is best suited to experienced trampers with backcountry skills. You will need sturdy boots with good grip.

Fires

Extreme fire conditions can exist during summer. The park is a restricted fire area, which means permits to light fires are required all year round.

Maps

The Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) topographical maps that cover the Kaweka Forest Park are:

Topo50 map BH36 - MotutereTopo50 map BH37 - RangitaikiTopo50 map BH38 - Te HarotoTopo50 map BJ36 - Tawake TohungaTopo50 map BJ37 - Kuripapango Topo50 map BJ38 - Te PohueTopo50 map BK37 - Tikokino

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.