Ruahine Corner to Rangitane Road: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

An excellent but strenuous trip in the remote north western Ruahine Forest Park renowned for its scenery and ecological values. Fly in by helicopter and walk out.

This DOC directory entry covers Ruahine Corner to Rangitane Road 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: 4 days
• 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

Day 1: Ruahine Corner to Colenso Hut

Time: 4 - 6 hr

From Ruahine Corner Hut, the track follows along a craggy ridge with lovely rock formations to Potae high point, with spectacular views along the way. Due to travel on exposed sections of track this section should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather.

From here, the track drops down into Potae Creek. Follow the creek right down to where it joins the Mangatera River and head downstream for approximately 30 min, looking for the sidecreek on the true left that leads to Colenso Hut. There is a narrow part to negotiate at the start of the sidecreek before the valley opens out. Walk up the valley a short way and you will find Colenso Hut situated up on a terrace on the true left.

Day 2: Colenso Hut to Iron Bark Hut

Time: 5 - 6 hr

From Colenso Hut follow the track a short distance to the Lake Colenso turnoff. A short 2 minute track takes you to an excellent vantage point of this very picturesque lake. Continue on the main track passing the track turnoff to the Unknown Campsite and crossing the creek before climbing a long ridge through forest up and then back down to reach the Waikamaka River just downstream from where the Unknown Stream enters. Iron Bark Hut is across the Waikamaka River on the true left.

Day 3: Iron Bark to Otukota Hut

Time: 3 - 4 hr

Follow the Waikamaka River upstream all the way to Otukota Hut. If the river is high you can take a high level track from Iron Bark Hut. Cross the swingbridge just upstream of the hut and follow the track up on to a high ridge before descending back to the Waikamaka River, where you will need to cross the river to reach Otukota Hut on the other side (note this is not a bridged crossing).

Day 4: Otukota Hut to Rangitane Road

Time: 6 - 8 hr

From Otukota Hut climb steeply to the tops of the Mokai Patea Range and pick up the tussock ridge down to Colenso Trig. From here drop steeply down a rocky ridge into forest and down past the old Kawhatau Field Base and into the Kawhatau River. Walk downstream for approximately 9.5 kms to the Rangitane Road bridge.

Due to travel on unmarked tops this section should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather.

Getting there

To make this four day tramping option possible, parties need to arrange helicopter transport to Ruahine Corner Hut. A vehicle needs to be left at the Rangitane Road bridge for transport on completion of the tramp. NB There is no legal access from Iron Bark Hut out to the roadend through Mokai Station.

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.