Mt Matthews - Mukamuka Loop

Over this run you will cover a large range of scenery from river travel surrounded by farm through to mature native forest, up to an exposed saddle through beech forest, down a scruby stream gully, past huge scree slopes, and around the rugged southern coast.

The wide Orongorongo River starts off as a working farm. As you head up the bush becomes more mature as you enter the Rimutaka Forest Park with tall emergent trees and historical huts littered everywhere. At the South Saddle of Mt Matthews you get a few views off towards Wellington and over the South Coast. Down the Mukamuka Stream, the mountains feel like they're falling down on to you with large scree slopes and narrow valleys before opening up at the mouth into pasture. The coastal section is along the Wild Coast Track and is pretty wild and barren. Karaka trees mark the sites of old Maori fishing settlements, there's the odd grave head stone, you cross three large shingle fans past Windy Point, and at the Turakirae Scientific Reserve there is a seal colony and boulders popular with rock climbers.

The famed Mukamuka Munter trail race runs in the opposite direction from the car park, up the Mukamuka Stream and then out to Catchpool Valley (https://mukumukumunter.wordpress.com/)

Car park is isolated but large. Safe as long as you are sensible and don't leave valuables in sight. No public transport available.

29 km

37 minutes

Unknown

No

Hard.

Whilst it's relatively easy to navigate, most of this route has no trail so treat it with caution if you aren't familiar with river travel. Make sure to get down to the river STRAIGHT AFTER crossing the big road bridge at the car park. Basically you follow the really big river for a long way before turning off. This is a Forest Park with plenty of places to get lost. If you have a GPS, keep an eye on the km's and start looking for the orange triangles from about 15km in, marking the turn off up Matthews Stream. At South Saddle, keep an eye open for the orange markers heading down the Mukamuka Stream and then pick the easiest route between markers.

Very patchy.

Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece 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, Headtorch and spare batteries

Plenty of water everywhere, but best to take some purification tablets to get rid of any giardia that may be lurking. Filling up half way down the Mukamuka Stream is a good halfway fill up point.

If it's been raining, best avoid as there are a lot of rivers and streams.

If windy (especially a southerly), the south coast section may destroy your soul.

The Orongorongo River is safe when low, but deadly when high. The Mukamuka Stream gully is steep and slippery. The shingle fans past Windy Point can be uncross-able if raining.