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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: -39.79207, 176.18298. 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
- 6.4 km one way
- Walking time
- 2-3 hr one way
- Track grade
- Easy
- 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 well-graded track is a great overnight tramp for families with children and new trampers - it passes through changing forest types to the open tops, with great views of the Hawke’s Bay plains and excellent sunrises from the hut.
This DOC directory entry covers Sunrise 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: 6.4 km one way
- Walking time: 2-3 hr one way
- DOC grade: Easy
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
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Sunrise Hut Track is one of the most popular tracks in the park, particularly with family and school groups. It is a high quality benched walking track which makes its way through changing forest types to the open tops.
There are superb views of the Hawke’s Bay plains and excellent sunrises from the hut, which resides in a tussock basin beside the bush edge.
From behind Sunrise Hut there is a 30 minute route up to the sub-alpine herbfields at Armstrong Saddle where you can view Mt Ruapehu on a fine day.
Caution is required in this exposed area where strong northwesterly winds are common.
The turnoff to Waipawa Forks Hut Track is around 1 hour from the start of Sunrise Track.
Getting there
The North Block Road end is the most popular starting point for visitors to the Eastern Ruahine.
North Block Road is approximately 100 km from Napier. Follow State Highway 50 for 66 km and turn right into Wakarara Road. After 20 km, turn left into North Block Road. The start of Sunrise Tracks starts at the road end.
The last 4 km of this road is through private farmland. Dogs are not permitted. No loaded firearms or hunting on farmland. Keep to the formed road, don’t disturb stock and leave gates as you found them.
Know before you go
There is a toilet at the car park.
Cellphone reception at the truck and hut is limited.
History and culture
Armstrong Saddle (1370 m) was named after pioneer pilot Hamish Armstrong, who was never found when his Gypsy Moth crashed in the area in the 1930s.
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.
