Ohakune-Horopito Powderkeg Loop

Starting at the PowderKeg this run is a bit more of an adventure. Follow the Tūroa Mountain Road NW 300m to the Mangawhero Forest Walk west of the road, following the trail up to the Mangawhero campground  2.1km turning left at end of single-track (alt. follow Mangawhero Forest Walk east of the road, crossing Turoa road and bridge to campground).

Continue on gravel road past campground through a farm gate into the National Park. Follow main old farm track to NW, 3.6km (50m past the old rusty farm truck) turn east down to creek and look for the wooden foot bridge over a weir to cross. Trail from here is following very old farm/logging trails and deer trails. Follow the wooden posts across the flats (future MTB track) aim for the end of the narrow ridge 1000m to northwest. Care required with deep grass and holes.

Climb the cleared part of this ridge finding an old farm track turning North at 4.7km up the centre of this ridge. Follow old trail and fenceline North on ridge centreline to S39.355407°, E175.440004° at 6.9km veer West to follow clearings along bluff. Look for orange insulation tape marking easiest trail, can be a challenge with a stream crossing and thicker scrub. Aim for start of large clearing at S39.351704°, E175.436409° at 7.5km with rusty old water tank. Options to cross large clearing but aim for start of main trail again at S39.347313°, E175.434020° at 8.4km.

Follow old logging trail, crossing Waipara stream, until junction with the Horopito- Mangaturuturu DOC track at 9.6km (see WT trail Horopito Schmito). Follow the main DOC gravel track west downhill.

From 10.3km to 13km, the track is on private land on a working farm, so keep to the gravel track and leave gates how you find them. No landowner permission or permits are required. The trail comes out at Lahar Farms (192 Matapuna Road). The farm gate is closed with no vehicle access. At this point on Matapuna you can get a pick up or continue to 14.5km Horopito/Old Coach Road carpark along Matapuna Road.

At Horopito the Old Coach Road trail (mix of easy to follow gravel track & single track) can be followed back to Ohakune with the Marshall’s Road carpark at 26km the end of the main trail. Follow the Old Coach marker posts on Marshall’s Road and Old Station Rd back to the PowerKeg at approx. 30km.