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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: -42.57963, 171.88713. 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
- 8.2 km one way
- Walking time
- 5–7 hr one way
- Track grade
- Expert
- Location
- Ahaura River and Lake Brunner catchments area
- 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
A backcountry route that follows the Waikiti River.
This DOC directory entry covers Waikiti Route in West Coast, within Ahaura River and Lake Brunner catchments area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 8.2 km one way
- Walking time: 5–7 hr one way
- DOC grade: Expert
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
From the car park, the route climbs steeply before sidling in and out of some steep gullies, high above the river.
The route then drops and in several places chains and a ladder are provided to assist safe passage over steep and slippery ground.
After crossing the river over a swing-bridge you continue up the true left side of the river before fording it just below the hut.
Getting there
Drive north from Greymouth to Ngahere and turn right on to Nelson Creek Road. Follow this road for approximately 10 km past Lake Haupiri and turn right on to Haupiri-Amuri Road.
The route starts on the far (true right) side of the Waikiti River Bridge.
There is space for parking cars along the side of the road, and the start of the route is signposted.
Know before you go
Parts of this route run along ever-changing braided riverbeds and travel along them is at the discretion of tramping parties. Rivers rise quickly in wet weather and a good knowledge of river crossing is essential.
Parties should be experienced and self-contained with cookers and a tent/tent fly in case of delays. Maps and a compass are essential.
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.
