Mt Hikurangi - Sacred Mountain

This trail includes the peak Mount Hikurangi.

This mountain is reputed to be the first place in NZ to see the sun on each new day.

This is also a sacred mountain and there are some huge maori carvings situated on a plateau at around 1000m altitude.

There is a formal carpark just below the station manager's house. There is no public vehicle access past this point.

150 km

140 minutes

Unknown

Yes
Name: Te Ara ki Hikurangi track crosses private farmland - leave gates as you find them and don't disturb stock. The track may be closed for short periods during the year for farming or cultural reasons. All closures will be publicly notified.
Telephone: Contact Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou before you start: Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou, 1 Barrys Avenue, Ruatoria 4032 Phone: +64 6 864 9004 Email: Hikurangihutt@tronp.org.nz or info@tronp.org.nz

Hard.

Navigation to the hut is very straight forward, through open farmland. Beyond the hut it is a poled route and could be difficult if visibility was poor. The final ascent to the summit (the last 150m-200m of ascent) is not marked at all, you follow a very steep/loose gully. This is by far the most difficult part of this trip and extra care should taken here. I personally found the descent harder than the ascent.

Patchy.

Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map

There is water at the hut. The climb to the hut is very open (no shade), so take plenty of water from the start and top up at the hut.

If the visibility is poor, the final ascent could be very tricky. The lower section could be very slippery following heavy rain.