Neill Winchcombe Circuit: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This is a challenging circuit via Cone, Neill Ridge, Mt Hector, Alpha and Bull Mound. You need strong fitness, backcountry tramping experience and good weather to attempt this trip.

This DOC directory entry covers Neill Winchcombe Circuit in Wellington, within Tararua 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; Expert

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 for Southern Tararuas; First published on 3 March 2026. Last reviewed on 21 May 2026.

Dog access

Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Waiohine Road End to Cone

From Waiohine Road End and Campsite, cross the high suspension bridge over the Waiohine River and follow the track signposted towards Cone Hut.

The track climbs the ridge. Continue on, following the sign to Cone Saddle.

From Cone Saddle, the track climbs to the Cone summit. Just before Cone there is a track junction, where the left-hand track leads to Neill Saddle and Neill Ridge.

Cone to Mt Hector or Kime Hut, via Neill Winchcombe

Time: 6-9 hours to Mt Hector

Follow the track along Neill Ridge. Neill Ridge has lots of undulations, including steep bits that require clambering.

The track descends to Neill Saddle, then climbs steeply to the Neill high point (1158 m). From Neill, the track then continues along the ridge.

Shortly before the bush line you will reach Winchcombe Bivouac. This is a small bivvy with two bunks.

There is no formed route from Winchcombe Bivouac to Mt Hector. You will need to navigate yourself, passing Winchcombe Peak and then following the ridge to Mt Hector. The ridge is narrow in places with steep drop-offs.

This section is completely exposed, with no shelter from extreme weather. Like any part of the Tararua tops, it is very dangerous in bad weather (such as high wind, rain/snow, freezing temperatures or low visibility). Assess the weather when leaving Winchcombe Bivouac – if conditions are not favourable, we recommend waiting in the bivvy for the weather to improve or turning back.

At the Mt Hector summit, you join the Southern Crossing track. Mount Hector bears a large wooden cross that was erected in 1950 (and replaced in 1980) as a memorial to trampers who lost their lives during World War II.

From here, you can follow the Southern Crossing track down to Kime Hut. If you were planning to continue on to Alpha and not go to Kime Hut, use Mt Hector as a decision point. If you are tired, it is getting late or if the weather is bad or deteriorating, it may be better to turn off to Kime Hut rather than continue across the exposed tops to Alpha Hut.

Mt Hector or Kime Hut to Alpha Hut

Time: 4-5 hr from Mt HectorTime: 5-6 hr from Kime Hut

If you are starting from Kime Hut, follow the ridge over Field Peak to Mount Hector (1,529 m).

From Mt Hector, continue south along the Southern Crossing. The exposed ridge of the Dress Circle takes you to the top of Aston, where there is a signposted junction to Elder Hut. Continue along the ridge route over Alpha (1361 m) and descend to Alpha Hut, just below the bush line.

Alpha Hut to Cone Hut (via Bull Mound)

Time: 3 hours

Before you leave Alpha Hut, consider whether you will be able to cross the Tauwharenīkau River safely. There is an unbridged crossing of the river shortly before Cone Hut. If it has been raining, the river may be not be passable. If this is the case, it may be better to wait in Alpha Hut or take an alternative route out (for example, exiting via Marchant Ridge down the Southern Crossing Track).

Continue on the Southern Crossing track from Alpha Hut and descend from 1187 m to the saddle at Hells Gate. The track climbs from the saddle to Marchant Ridge.

When you reach the top of the ridge, there is a track junction. Take the left-hand track (the Bull Mound Track) towards Bull Mound and Cone Hut.

This track follows the ridge to Bull Mound (1060 m), then descends steeply into the Tauwharenīkau Valley. The track emerges into the valley on the true right of the Tauwharenīkau River, not far downstream from Cone Hut. Cross the river to the true left, where you will meet the Tauwharenīkau Track. Follow the track upstream for a short distance until you come to Cone Hut.

Cone Hut is a historic hut, situated in mature forest above the Tauwharenīkau River.

Cone Hut to Waiohine Road End

Time: 2 hour 30 minutes

From Cone Hut, the track climbs towards the ridge. Soon you reach a track junction – take the right hand track leading straight up to the ridge, rather than the left hand track that follows the valley towards Cone Saddle.

The track climbs steeply until it reaches the ridge and another track junction. Again, take the right hand track towards Waiohine Road End (the track you came up on), rather than going towards Cone Saddle.

The track follows the ridge, then descends all the way into the Waiohine Valley. Cross the bridge over the river, then you will reach the road end.

Getting there

The track starts from Waiohine Road End and Campsite.

The nearest towns to Waiohine Road End are Carterton and Greytown. Waiohine Gorge Road is gravel with rough, narrow, and windy sections. There are two forded stream crossings. Drive carefully.

Know before you go

You need good backcountry skills, including navigation and river crossing

The circuit is best suited to trampers with high levels of backcountry tramping experience.

It involves a section with no formed track or route, on the tops between Winchcombe and Hector. You need to have the skills to navigate yourself, including being confident using a map and compass or GPS and navigating in low visibility.

There is also an unbridged river crossing of the Tawharenīkau River. You need to be able to judge when the river is safe to cross and know how to pick a good crossing point.

Pack well for this remote tramp

Sections of this circuit have low numbers of trampers. You need to be self-sufficient and prepared for unexpected delays or emergencies.

Always carry a distress beacon and pack an emergency shelter. Make sure you have spare food and lots of warm and waterproof clothing. Find a full packing list here.

Assess the weather and be ready to turn back

Frequent freezing temperatures, thick mist and gale-force winds can make the Tararua tops very dangerous. People have died on the Neill Winchcombe Circuit.

Assess the weather when you leave the bush just before Winchcombe. Consider turning back or waiting in the bivvy if you don’t have the experience or equipment for the conditions. If the weather is bad or deteriorating, it’s better to try the alpine section of this circuit another day.

Stay aware of the weather through your tramp and watch for changing conditions.

Be careful when crossing Tauwharenīkau River

If it has been raining, the Tauwharenīkau River may be high/flooding and not be passable. Think about this before you leave Alpha Hut and consider waiting in the hut or take an alternative route out.

If you get to the river and you aren’t confident it is safe to cross, wait for the water levels to drop or return up the Bull Mound Track to Alpha Hut. Always pack spare food and an emergency shelter, so you can comfortably wait if delayed by the river.

Learn river crossing skills here.

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.