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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: -39.70422, 176.23669. 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
- 7.3 km one way
- Walking time
- 4-5 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Ruahine Forest Park
- 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
This challenging track gives access to Parks Peak Hut and various parts of the north and central Ruahine Range.
This DOC directory entry covers Parks Peak Track to Yeoman's 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: 7.3 km one way
- Walking time: 4-5 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.
Predator control for Ruahine Forest Park – north-east Ruahine; First published on 7 January 2026. Last reviewed on 6 October 2026.
Yeoman's Track closed; First published on 31 March 2023. Last reviewed on 10 August 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track branches off Yeoman's Track.
The track to Park's Peak Hut is a long arduous ridge track which gives access to various parts of the north and central Ruahine Range. There are extensive views along the way and in the stunted beech forest black and white breasted tomtits and flocks of whiteheads can be seen.
There are opportunities for loop trips by connecting to tracks to:
Sentry Box Hut and Upper Makaroro Hut
Masters Shelter to Golden Crown Ridge Track
the main range via the private Aranga Hut.
Getting there
Wakarara Roadend is approximately 75 km from Napier. Turn onto Wakarara Road from SH50 and follow for approximately 26.5km to the end of Wakarara Road.
There is no vehicle access to the Ruahine Forest Park from the Wakarara Road end. You will need to cross the Makaroro River.
From the carpark, follow a poled route (marked with orange track markers) along the farmers fence line and through a paddock down to the river.
Know before you go
All tracks from this road end require a crossing of the Makaroro River or a walk up the riverbed. It is dangerous to attempt to cross the river when the water level is higher than normal.
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.
