Eastern Main RangeExperienced

Description

A massive back country run over what would be a 2-3 day tramp. Covering approx. 8km of the Main Range & bags 3 huts (Neill Forks, Maungahuka & Kime) this route offers outstanding views of the South Island, Mt. Taranaki & Ruapehu and everything in between on a clear day.
Route direction given anti clockwise with average splits and approx. distances:
Start Waiohine road end, head over swing bridge, turn left, head 100m, the track veers right sharply and steeply, follow for 3.7km to 1st sign, stay right towards Cone Saddle turn off 900m.
This part can be tricky especially if dark.
Go directly past the Cone Saddle sign (points right) for 30m and there will be another sign putting left to Cone Hut. Just before you reach this sign stop and look up, almost directly ahead you will see a trail blazer taking you up towards Cone Ridge.
Head up 2.5km to next sign at Cone
*2hrs.
Stay right run down Cone Ridge 3km through mossy forest, pay attention as the sign to Neill Forks Hut is in need of repair and may have fallen over and blazers can be hard to spot with morning light behind them.
Head left and steeply down 2 km to hut.
*40min
Over bridge and straight up past Concertina Knob to next sign 4km (1050m vert), turn right to Maungahuka Hut 300m for water.
*1hr 30
Back track to sign and continue past towards Kime Hut 8km (1km to the Steel Ladder).
*2hrs
Head to Mt. Hector 2km, identify Neill Ridge (runs roughly East to West) you are going to follow the ridge (very faint trail generally to South side and almost entirely unmarked until bush line) 3km to bush line. Do not recommend attempting in average to poor weather, take great care. There are some scrambles over and around tricky little knobs.
From the last small table top look for a big blazer into bush line if clear weather otherwise you may have to walk along bush edge to acquire.
*1hr 10
Bush bash & scale a few short sharp vertical knobs and duck under mossy goblin first for 3km to Neill Saddle
*50min
Stay sharp looking for sporadic blazers and trail for 2.2km to Cone junction.
*40min
Head right to Waiohine road end (via Cone Saddle junctions) for glory.
*1hr 30

This is a huge 1 dayer do not under estimate it or the Tararua's. Good luck

Features of interest

Mt. Hector & the Tararua Peaks with the Steel Ladder

Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 30%

Technical Single Track: 35%

Moderate Single Track: 25%

Easy Single Track: 10%

Route Data