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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: -41.32626, 175.00357. 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
- 12 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Remutaka Forest Park
- Seasonal restrictions
- The gate to Catchpool valley is open: 6 am – 8 pm from 28 September until 7 April 6 am – 6 pm from 8 April until 27 September
- 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
Fit and experienced trampers can cross the Remutaka Range via Papatahi (902 m) from mid-Ōrongorongo valley to the Wairarapa side of the Remutaka Forest Park.
This DOC directory entry covers Papatahi Crossing in Wellington, within Remutaka 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: 12 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.
Seasonal restrictions
The gate to Catchpool valley is open: 6 am – 8 pm from 28 September until 7 April 6 am – 6 pm from 8 April until 27 September
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track is described from the Catchpool car park to Western Lake Road.
Start from the Catchpool car park along the Ōrongorongo Track or from Sunny Grove in Wainuiomata along the Whakanui Track.
Leave the Ōrongorongo River at North Boulder Creek and climb up the spur to the top of Papatahi. Descend to the Wharepapa River, and cross the river to get to Wharepapa Hut. Follow the track, crossing Battery Stream and out to Western Lake Road.
The last part of the track crosses private land. The private land is around 2.5 km long and is around 4.5 km from Wharepapa Hut. If walking from Western Lake Road the private land starts at Western Lake Road.
It's a very full day from the Catchpool car park for fit parties. Most parties should stay overnight at or near Papatahi Hut on the Ōrongorongo River.
Know before you go
On the private land on this track, landowner permission is required to take firearms or dogs across the private land.
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.
