Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > Manawatu > Western Ruahine - Purity - Kelly Knight Hut Loop Track
Western Ruahine - Purity - Kelly Knight Hut Loop Track
- Location
- Heading just north from Mangaweka turn right off SH1, cross the Rangitikei River and follow Kawhatau Valley Road. This eventually leads to Upper Kawhatau Valley Road and not far past this turn right onto Mangakukeke Road. Follow this to the car park at the end.
- Description
The Ruahine Forest Park consists of beautiful bush-covered ranges. Recreational opportunities include tramping, hunting, cross country skiing, snowboarding, rafting, kayaking, fishing, swimming and camping.
Day 1: Mangakukeke Roadend to Purity Hut (3 – 4 hr)
Climb the marked Purity Hut Track through farmland and forest to Purity Hut, nestled above the bushline on the Hikurangi Range.
Day 2: Purity Hut to Kelly Knight Hut (4 – 5 hr)
The track follows on up the a tussock ridge from Purity Hut to Wooden Peg (1672 m). From here a roughly poled route heads south, then descends through forest to Kelly Knight Hut in the Pourangaki River valley. Due to travel on the open tops this section should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather.
Day 3: Kelly Knight Hut to Mangakukeke Roadend (3 hr 30 min – 4 hr 30 min)
Walk the sidle Kelly Knight Track out from Kelly Knight Hut to the entrance point on Kohunui Station and then follow the farm road back out to the Purity car park.
Other options exist to hike over the Hikurangi Range and down to Waterfall Hut in the Upper Kawhatau River, along the Hikurangi Range to McKinnon Hut and via Wooden Peg on the Hikurangi Range down to Kelly Knight Hut in the Pourangaki River. These trips are all classified as routes due to travel on the often unmarked open tops and should not be attempted in poor visibility.
- Level
- Hard
- Amenities
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- Camping
- Carpark
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Tramping
- Source
- www.doc.govt.nz
- Discussion
- Start a discussion on this walk