The Kaimanawa Range lies east of the central plateau, mostly within Kaimanawa Forest Park. It is high, open country with river valleys running out of it.
The club's reports are mostly easy-medium to medium trips: to Waipakihi Hut, along the Umukarikari range, and along the Waipakihi River. They are scattered across several decades and most months, with fewer in the middle of winter.
Highlight trips
Big Country and Big River in the Kaimanawa Range2019 · Medium-Fit
Cascade Hut via Hinemaiaia Track – Kaimanawa Forest Park2024 · Easy-Medium
Kaweka Kaimanawa Traverse2019 · Medium-Fit
Waipakahi Hut via Umukarikari: mist, hobbits and chocolate fondue2018 · Easy-Medium
Waipakihi Hut – Kaimanawa Forest Park: the mists of Ireland2023 · Easy-Medium- Trip reportGettin’ Jiggy with Jamonadez – Waipakihi Hut via Umukarikari Range, KaimanawasAuthor’s note: Here are boring track details for those that look for this sort of thing first. Overall my impressions are that it’s a relatively wide, well formed track along a scenic range overlooking the volcanic plateau. Approximately 5-7 hours from…
- Trip reportUmukarikari RangeThe adventure started before the trip even began. Heavy flooding stuck Wellington the day before, closing offices and stranding commuters. There was some concern that the road north might be closed and that even if it wasn’t driving in the direction of the…
- From the newsletterQueens Birthday Trip – Kaimanawas- Marshall Clark Our bus arrived at the Waipakihi road end on Friday night about 11:30 pm. We pitched camp in the bush nearby and had a.cool but comfortable night. In the morning, the medium party (21 in ail} set off up the Waipakihi River. Some had scoffed…
- From the newsletterUmukarikari - WaipakihiFirst of all let me say that Roger told me not to mention anything about candle bombs. So I won't. Friday nights should really be spent slouched on a bar stool somewhere noisy and smoky, not squashed into the back of the truck, stuck in a traffic jam that…