Waimana Valley tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

The Waimana Valley at the northern end of Te Urewera offers visitors a number of tramping options. You might be lucky to spot a long-tailed bat on one of your excursions in this area.

This DOC directory entry covers Waimana Valley tracks in Gisborne, within Te Urewera. 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: Various times
• 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.

• Te Urewera alerts; First published on 17 October 2022. Last reviewed on 6 June 2026.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Note: The huts listed on this page are in the process of being removed.

Ohora Hut Track

Time: 3 - 5 hr

Just inside the park boundary (opposite the old ranger station site) on Matahi Valley Road a sign directs you to the start of the Pohatu Track. Follow the Orouamananui Stream before reaching a steep climb to the saddle. The track then descends to the left to reach Pohatu Stream. Walk downstream until you reach the Pohatu-Ohora Stream intersection and continue downstream from here to reach Ohora Hut. The hut has 19 bunks and is located on the true left of the Ohora Stream.

Onepu Hut Track

Time: 4 - 6 hr

Drive 1.5 km past Ogilvies Bridge to reach the start of the Onepu Track. Cross the Tauranga River at the signpost and continue up onto a blackberry covered terrace that leads through to the bush edge. Follow the marked track up and along the ridge tops until the track drops down to meet Onepu Hut (7 bunks).

Note, the river crossing can be difficult when the river level is up – there is an all-weather track available which begins at the Ogilvies Campsite.

All weather track

Time: 30 min

Return to the Ogilvies Bridge where the all-weather track begins at the back of the camping area on the western side of the road. The track is marked to where it meets the main track at the rear of the blackberry terrace.

Te Waiiti Stream via Te Pona a Pita Track

Time: 1 - 2 hr

This track is well formed and starts from the carpark at the southern end of Ogilvies Bridge. Te Pona a Pita Track is suitable for all ages and the less fit. It begins with a graded climb around the side of Ogilvies Ridge. A seat there provides a welcome rest stop and an excellent view down to the Matahi area of the valley.

From here the track sidles down into Te Waiiti Valley where Te Waiiti Stream flats provide excellent picnic and camping sites.

One of our nationally threatened species is found here, the whio or blue duck (Hymenolanimus malacorhynchos). Whio have an extraordinary ability to manoeuvre and swim amongst fast-moving currents, and are most active in early morning and on dusk.

Ogilvies Ridge Loop Track

This track is no longer open to the public.

Koaunui Hut via Otamatuna Track and Tawai Ridge Track

Time: 4 - 5 hr

The track starts at the marked entrance, 2 km past Ogilvies Bridge on the eastern side of the road. For the first hour the track climbs steeply until it nears the top of the ridge. The track continues over the ridge and curves southwards along the ridgeline between the Waimana and Te Waiiti Valleys until the track reaches a fork. The turnoff to the right leads to the Ngutuoha Stream and the Lions Education Centre (2 hours).

A little over 1 km past this turnoff there is another turnoff on the left which leads to Koaunui Hut (18 bunks). Follow the track down to Te Waiiti Stream and continue downstream for 1 km to reach the hut (on the true right).

Koaunui Hut via “The Wall” Track

Time: 3 - 4 hr

This is the more common route used to reach Koaunui Hut. From the Lions Education Centre walk up the Ngutuoha Stream until you reach the marked turnoff that climbs steeply up “The Wall” Track to reach Tawai Ridge. At the track junction, continue south to reach the Koaunui Hut turnoff.

Tawai Ridge Track to Otapukawa Hut

Time: 3 - 5 hr

Continue past the Koaunui Hut turnoff, following the track along the ridge which leads down to the Otapukawa Stream. From here it is another 3 km downstream to the Matahi Valley Road end or 800 metres upstream to the Otapukawa Hut.

Getting there

These tracks are located in the Waimana Valley at the north end of Te Urewera. The Bell Road turnoff from State Highway 2 is one of the main access routes to this part of the park. The road travels about 30 km up the valley to the Matahi Valley Road end. Caution is advised as most of this road is unsealed, narrow and windy.

Know before you go

If you are leaving vehicles in the area take any valuables with you.

True river directions

True directions are the banks of a river as seen facing downstream: true left is the left bank facing in this direction, true right the right bank.

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.