Ohakune has numerous short walks from 30 minutes to half and full day excursions, all offering different attractions and scenery. There is a selection of trails within walking distance from Station Lodge, offering you a great stroll through the dual world heritage Tongariro National Park or alternatively you can leave your vehicle in our off street carpark, offering you security while you’re out on one of the multi day walks. Transport to the start of the trail can also be arranged.
Ohakune Mountain Road walks:
- Rimu Walk (15 minutes return)
- Mangawhero Forest Walk (45 mins loop track) suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- Mangawhero Falls walk (5 – 10 minutes return)
- Waitonga falls walking track (1 hour 20 minutes, 4km return via same track) The parks highest waterfall, Waitonga Falls (39m)
- Lake Surprise tramping track ( 5 hours, 9km return)
- Old Blyth Tramping track (4 to 5 hours)
Close by walks
Multi Day tramping tracks:
-
Round the Mountain (4 to 6 day tramp around Mount Ruapehu) This track offers magnificent mountain views and a backcountry experience and is a more remote alternative to the popular Tongariro Northern Circuit. The track can be walked at any time of year, but the safest and most popular time is from December to March.
- The Tongariro Northern Circuit - (New Zealand Great Walk)
A range of trips can be planned around the Tongariro Northern Circuit. Day trips, overnight trips, or a three to four day walk. The volcanic region of Mt Ruapehu was used as locations for Mordor and Mount Ngauruhoe was transformed to create the fiery (and scary) Mount Doom in the “Lord of the Rings”
Summit routes:
- Ngauruhoe Summit (2287m)
- Tongariro Summit (1967m)
- Mt Ruapehu Crater Climb (2672m) The climb is not recommended in winter without mountaineering experience and equipment.
Further information on walks in the area can be obtained from “Walks in and around Tongariro National Park” brochure, produced by the Department of Conservation. Or contact the Department of Conservation (DOC) located on Ohakune Mountain Road, (2 minutes from Station Lodge).
Whanganui National Park
Matemateonga Track (42km, 3 – 4 days)
The Matemateaonga Track is one of the two major tramping opportunities available in Whanganui National Park. The walk follows the original Whakaihuwaka Road built in 1911 to create a more direct link between Stratford and Raetihi and the main trunk railway and was hewn from papa and remains reasonably intact. Transport by jet boat must be arranged either to pick up or drop off your party at the river end of the track.
Mangapurua / Kaiwhakauka Track (3 – 4 day walk)
The Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka Tracks can be walked from either direction and when combined with a jet boat ride on the Whanganui River, it creates a great tramping/boating circuit.
Further information on walks in Whanganui National Park visit the Department of Conservation website.
