Waiopehu Track (Poads Road to Waiopehu Hut): Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Waiopehu Track leads up a long forested ridge to Waiopehu Hut, with beautiful views across the Horowhenua plains from the hut. This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.

This DOC directory entry covers Waiopehu Track (Poads Road to Waiopehu Hut) in Wellington, within Tararua 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: 4-5 hr
• DOC grade: Intermediate

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 allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.

The track to Waiopehu Hut begins at Poads Road end, in the Tararua foothills behind Levin.

The first kilometre of the track is across private farmland before the park boundary is reached. As you enter the Tararua Forest Park you will come to a track junction. Take the right hand track, which goes up the hill towards Waiopehu Hut. From this junction it is around 8 km to Waiopehu Hut.

The track climbs until it reaches the top of a long ridge.

Shortly before the hut you leave the forest and enter low alpine scrub. On clear days, there are good views across the Horowhenua plains and east to the Tararua high peaks.

There is no fireplace or other form of heating at Waiopehu Hut.

Getting there

Poads Road

• Follow Gladstone Road out of Levin and up the Ōhau valley.

• For the Poads Road track entrance, turn onto Poads Road and cross the Ōhau River over a road bridge. Follow Poads Road to the end.

Know before you go

Be prepared for a long climb

Waiopehu Track climbs steadily for almost the whole distance. Check that everyone in your group has the fitness for the climb and build some extra time into your plans in case it takes longer than expected.

There is no water (including no side streams) during the climb, so pack at least 2L of water per person, along with high energy snacks.

Pack for bad weather and be aware that Waiopehu Hut has no heating

The Tararua Forest Park is well known for wild, fast-changing and unpredictable weather. Anytime you go into the Tararua Forest Park, pack warm and waterproof clothing (even if the forecast is good).

There is no fireplace at Waiopehu Hut. There is no gas supplied at the hut.

Find a tramping packing list here.

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.