By Outdoor Next Editorial standards
On this page
Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 2-3 days
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Ruahine Forest Park
- Dog access
- Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. 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
A west east traverse of the Ruahine Forest Park, following the Oroua River valley and over the main Ruahine Range to the Kashmir Roadend.
This DOC directory entry covers Table Flat - Kashmir Roadend West-East crossing 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: 2-3 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
Oroua carpark to Iron Gate Hut
Time: 4-5 hr
Walk along the Iron Gate Hut Track past the Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge and up the Oroua River valley to Iron Gate Hut. The hut is situated beside the river on the true left.
Iron Gate Hut to Longview Hut
Time: 5-6 hr
The track to Longview climbs steeply up a ridge for 2-3 hours onto the tussock tops of the Ruahine Range at about where the Ngamoko Range joins them. Due to travel on the unmarked open tops this section should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather. Snow can occur any time of year. Once on the crest of the range head north passing a trig. The ridge descending to Longview Hut heads off to the right between this trig point and the high point of Otumore (unbeaconed) further ahead. Follow the track down across the Pohangina Saddle to a lower part of the main range. Longview Hut is situated just off the main track to Kashmir Road with excellent views out to Hawke’s Bay.
Longview Hut to Kashmir Roadend
Time: 2-3 hr
From Longview Hut follow the main track on down to the carpark at the end of Kashmir Road.
Getting there
Just past the village of Kimbolton turn right onto Apiti Road which then becomes Oroua Valley Road. Go through Apiti and take the second turn right onto Table Flat Road and continue for several kms. Turn left onto Petersons Road. Take this road to the carpark on farmland at the end of the road.
You will need to arrange transport as this is a west-east crossing of the Ruahine Forest Park and the start and finish points for this hike are different.
Know before you go
Longview Hut - gas cookers removed
The gas cooking facilities at the hut have been permanently removed. The Department of Conservation will continue to supply firewood to the hut, which will provide heating and also a cooking source via the woodstove installed but it is advisable to take your own cookers. The hut will remain listed as a 'serviced' hut.
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.
