Trials Spur Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This track climbs above the bush line, gives good views of the surrounding country and is en-route to Kaweka J.

This DOC directory entry covers Trials Spur Track in Hawke's Bay, within Kaweka 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 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.

Dog access

Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

From Makahu Saddle Hut the track fords Pinnacle Stream, zigzags up, and passes an area where trial plantings of pine species were carried out in the 1960s.

The track crosses a narrow shingle covered ridge which leads around the head of Pinnacle Stream and up to Makahu Spur. Dominie Bivouac is approximately 20 minutes further uphill from this point, just off the spur on the right. Here the only vegetation is hardy alpine plants – tussock, some hebe species and mountain daisies.

From here you could continue up the steep poled track to the Kaweka J and or return via Makahu Spur.

Getting there

Kaweka Road is located 65 km north-west of Napier. From Napier follow Puketitiri Road for 36 km before turning left into Whittle Road. Kaweka Road is the first road on the right.

Whittle Road passes partly through farmland before reaching the park entrance. Leave all gates as found.

This road may be closed at times during winter because of snow.

Kaweka Forest Park access conditions

We recommend 4WD vehicles to reduce wear on the road and safe travel.

• Lotkow Road: The river crossings are regularly changing, check before crossing.

• Lakes carpark is accessible via Kuripapango road. The previous access Castle Rock road is now closed due to ongoing forestry operations.

• Lawrence Carpark access road: The last 600 m of the road is steep and not recommended for 2WD vehicles - a parking space is available before the descent. The Lawrence swing bridge has been removed.

• Mackintosh car park is currently closed due to ongoing forestry operations. A new parking location can be located at a skid site near the closed gate (end of Kuripapango Road), this will add on 500 m walking to reach the start of the track.

• Whittle Road: Be aware of trucks using the quarry. Give them right of way where possible.

Know before you go

Weather forecast

Kaweka J Summit weather forecast - NIWA website

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.