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Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- Not specified in the checked DOC directory
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Ruahine Forest Park
- Seasonal restrictions
- Access permit required to use No Man's Road - application details.
- Dog access
- No dogs. 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
Tracks starting at No Man's Road give access to a number of backcountry huts in the Eastern Ruahine Forest Park.
This DOC directory entry covers No Man's Road area tramping tracks 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: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
- 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.
- Predator control for Ruahine Forest Park – north-east Ruahine; First published on 7 January 2026. Last reviewed on 6 October 2026.
Seasonal restrictions
Access permit required to use No Man's Road - application details.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
No Man's Road to Diane's Hut
Time: 1 hr
Five kilometres along No Man’s Road from the Ruahine Hut turnoff, the road continues south west to reach Lessong’s Monument, built by the surveyor Lessong in the 1880’s. Eight hundred metres from the monument a track heads north from the road to reach Diane’s Hut.
Dianes Hut to Taruarau Bivvy
Time: 2 hr - 2 hr 30 min
From Dianes Hut a track climbs steeply to the Taruarau Ridge (1 hour) and then to Taruarau Bivvy (a further 15 minutes). The track passes through beech forest and tussock scrub. There are views to the Kaweka Range.
No Man's Road to Dead Dog Hut
Time: 2 hr
3 kilometres from Lessong’s Monument a track leaves No Man’s Road heading east and descends steeply to Dead Dog Hut.
Dead Dog Hut to Herricks Hut
Time: 2 hr 30 min - 3 hr
To reach Herrick Hut, follow the river for approximately 3 kilometres to reach a sign which marks a side track leading to the hut (a further 3 kilometres).
Ruahine Hut to Shutes Hut track
Time: 5 - 6 hr
After travelling 5 kilometres on No Man's Road from the park boundary, a short 4WD track leads to Ruahine Hut.
The track to Shutes Hut starts on the upper edge of the clearing by Ruahine Hut and heads north through regenerating manuka and kanuka and beech forest.
Shutes Hut was built in 1920 and is an old rabbiters hut made of stone and held together with cement that was manually packed into the remote area. The first, and for many years the only, regular occupant was Alex Shute who led a solitary life rabbiting. He planted a small orchard nearby as well as pine and gum trees.
The hut stands in a grassy clearing surrounded by pine trees. The area is popular for hunting and the nearby Taruarau river is noted for its trout fishing.
Getting there
No Man's Road is reached via Big Hill Road. Big Hill Road is approximately 45 km from Hastings or 60 km from Napier. Follow State Highway 50 to Maraekakaho and turn right into Kereru Road. On reaching Kereru, turn right into Big Hill Road.
No Man's Road is a 22 kilometre, 4WD road that climbs to the open tops of the north eastern Ruahine Range. It provides access to a varied network of huts and tracks for hunters and trampers.
Know before you go
No Man's Road is a 4WD access track. It is not suitable for 2WD vehicles.
Access to No Man’s Road is via private land (Big Hill Station). Access is restricted; you must have an access permit to cross Big Hill Station.
No Mans Hut and Te Koau Hut are privately owned and not part of the land managed by DOC. To enquire about staying in these huts or accessing Te Koau A or Awarua o Hinemanu blocks, email info@aorangiawarua.maori.nz
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.
