Trips Information
Club Trips and Activities August - November 2025
Aug 9 or 10 Tongariro Winter Crossing Esther Williams
Sat or Sun Experience our maunga in the cool of winter. The club has gear — ice axes, helmets, crampons, snow craft revision instructions. Dress warmly. Evening meal enroute to home.
Fit Cost approx $35 plus meal.
Aug 16 or 17 Escarpment Walk Mike Miller
Sat or Sun The Paekakariki Escarpment is a club favourite with its beautiful views out over the sea of Kapiti Island and the South Island. The usual drill is to drive to Paekakariki, walk the 11km track and catch a train back to our van. Bring your Gold Card, if you have one.
Mod Approx cost $34
Aug 23 or 24 Otaki Forks Revisited Peter Waugh
Sat or Sun The road into the forks is open again and Peter will lead a trip there so we can enjoy the good tramping opportunities on offer. Peter is aiming to climb up to Field Hut but even if he doesn’t get there it will be great to be back in a favourite area without having to walk along the road for an extra hour from the slip site.
Mod Approx cost $31
Aug 24 Old-timers’ Afternoon Dorothy Symes
Sun By popular demand the old-timers’ get together is on again. It's the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey. And that’s what we have this time — a short secret journey courtesy of Take it Easy Tours, with afternoon tea at our destination. We will meet at Display Associates carpark on the Ave opposite David Jones Motors at 1pm. You need to book your space by Friday 15 August for free transport. Should be fun and you will be well looked after.
Aug 30 or 31 Mt Tongariro Circuit Trish Hopkins / Sally Gray
Sat or Sun Following the TAC initially, Trish and Sally will divert to Mt Tongariro and then return down the ridge to pop out near Mangatepopo Hut. Hopefully, the weather will behave and allow this to be a memorable outing.
Fit Approx cost $35
Sept 6 or 7 Zeke’s Hut Terry Kennedy
Sat or Sun This hut in Hihitahi Forest Sanctuary near Waiouru is a Terry special. From the carpark we go across farmland and once in the sanctuary have a short flat section before climbing to Hihitahi Trig with mountain views. The track then heads down a grassy slip and sidles around and down into the valley to the old hut site. The new Zeke’s Hut is 200m further past this and is an ideal lunch stop.
Mod Approx cost $28
Sept 9 Trips Meeting Dave Scoullar
Tues The June trips meeting had a great turn out, just like the old days, and we put together a comprehensive programme in quick time. Can we do it again? Hopefully, yes, as we turn our thoughts to the prime tramping months of December/January/February. The venue is 7 Wairere Rd at 7.30pm. Or contact Dave with your ideas or trip ideas. Phone calls and emails welcome dkmscoullar@gmail.com
Sept 13 or 14 Rangi Hut Shane Wilson
Sat or Sun This is the most easily accessed hut in the western Ruahine and is therefore a very popular destination on a well-formed track. Get up to the tussock and take in the beautiful views. There may even be a bit of snow around. A great entry level day tramp and suitable for even small children many of whom make their first tramp to Rangi.
Easy/mod Approx cost $24
Sept 13 Pot Luck Meal Sandra Rogers
Sat Enjoy Sandra’s hospitality at her home 1 Lancewood Place, just off Virginia Rd on St John’s Hill. A good night guaranteed. No need to contact her, just turn up with something yummy. The action starts at 6pm.
Sept 20 or 21 Rangiwahia Bush Reserve Viv Dawson / Denise Gordon
Sat or Sun Viv and Denise so enjoy visiting this 53ha reserve that they’re leading another trip back there to see it again. Discover this hidden stand of native virgin bush reserve in the historic settlement of Rangiwahia Village. There are some stunning viewpoints along the way and bird life is plentiful at certain times of the year.
Easy Approx cost $22
Sept 21-23 Eastern Ruahine Circuit Adrian Pike
Sun-Tues Terry Kennedy’s three day trip to Sunrise Hut in April was a great success so it’s being repeated. Climb to the large hut on a well-formed track. Terry didn’t make it last time but Adrian could take a walk to Top Maropea Hut on day 2. A possible return via Waipawa Forks Hut with some easy river travel. The April trip had a large waiting list so this one should prove popular.
Easy/mod Cost to be calculated (Sunrise is a bookable $25 hut).
Sept 27 or 28 Grant's Forest and Possible Hut Esther Williams
Sat or Sun Follow the Papaiti Road and continue on the Kauarapaoa to a rickety fence. We follow a creekside track till a climb to the ridge. Thereupon up overlooking valleys. Spectacular views.
Mod Approx cost $5 to $8
Oct 4 or 5 Mt Urchin Peter Waugh
Sat or Sun Located in Kaimanawa Forest Park near Turangi, the Mt Urchin Trig Track offers an easily accessible wilderness of beautiful beech forest, incredible views and a real alpine environment. A bit of an uphill grunt but well worth the effort. There should also be time to visit the nearby Pillars of Hercules and stand on the suspension bridge over the steep spectacular gorge with the mountain bike/tramping track beyond leading back to the Desert Road.
Easy/mod Cost to be calculated
Oct 9-12 Whareroa Long Weekend Mike Miller
Thurs-Sun Once again Mike has generously allowed us to spend a few days at his holiday house at Whareroa on western Lake Taupo. We will spend our time doing day walks in the area with plenty to choose from. If you want a relaxing time in this delightful lakeside village, sign on quickly! Numbers are limited.
Easy/mod Cost to be calculated
Oct 11 Lupton Hut Birthday Viv Dawson / Denise Gordon
Sat The Whanganui High School Hut near Blyth Hut in Tongariro National Park is celebrating its 60th birthday and we are sharing in the festivities. Co-leader Viv Dawson helped build the hut while a student at high school and she can share stories. Bring a party hat or something festive.
Easy Approx cost $25
Oct 18 or 19 Pouākai Crossing Trish Hopkins
Sat or Sun The track from North Egmont through to Mangorei Rd via the replacement Pouākai Hut has been given a facelift and Trish aims to go all the way. This will be a long but satisfying day with a chance to have a look at the fancy new facility. Volunteer needed to move the van to the Mangorei Rd end.
Fit Cost to be calculated
Oct 25-27 Ruahine Romp Shane McCulloch
Sat-Mon Shane plans a circuit tramp in the Ruahine over Labour Weekend. He will start on the Mania track then wander across the tops to Kelly Knights hut, then up and over to Pourangahi hut, then return over the tops. Some great scenery and huts we have not visited for years. $10 huts.
Fit Cost to be calculated
Oct 25, 26 or 27 Te Hangaruru Trail Peter McDowall
Sat, Sun or Mon The first 9km of the Te Hangaruru Cycle Trail, starting at Horopito, is now open and Peter will lead a trip along it. When complete the 29.4 trail, the final section of the Mountains to Sea Great Ride, will fill the missing link between Waimarino (formerly National Park) and Horopito. It will feature boardwalks, 17 bridges and four suspension bridges over a track through sublime landscape, including podocarp forests. Taumarunui TC will be invited to join us.
Easy/mod Approx cost $23
Nov 1 Rhodo Ramble Sandra Rogers
Sat Rhodo fan Sandra will once again take us on a rhodo ramble in the wonderful Pukeiti Gardens near New Plymouth. A chance also to catch up on developments at this wonderful Taranaki Regional Council amenity. 8am start.
Easy Approx cost $38
Nov 1 East Tokomaru Track Rozy Rawlinson
Sat Hutt Valley Tramping Club is visiting us and we want to give them a good workout so Rozy will take them around the track she and others are developing in the East Tokomaru Conservation Area. This is an interesting 15km loop taking about six hours with a bit of history thrown. Boggy in places.
Mod Cost to be calculated.
Nov 1 Pot Luck Meal Sally Gale
Sat Sally is the hostess for this pot luck meal at which the guests of honour will be our visitors from the Hutt Valley Tramping Club. The venue is Sally and Nick Gale’s home at 23 Cracroft Drive, Putiki. No need to bring crockery, cutlery or glasses but bring something nice to share and own drinks. A 6.30pm start to give the visitors a chance to tidy up after their day out with Rozy. No need to call Sally, just turn up.
Nov 2 Mt Thompson John Mellsop
Sun We will join HVTC during their return leg home on a climb up to Mt Thompson (709m) in the western Tararua foothills. To reach this we turn off near Manakau. A fun climb with great views looking over the Horowhenua and Kapiti regions. Thompson hasn’t been visited by the WTC for some years so this will be something new for many of our members. A crossover will be considered.
Mod Approx cost $27
Nov 2-9 Wellington Walks Jacky Evans
Sun-Sun Jacky will lead a series of day walks from a base in Wellington. A lot will be covered in a region that offers a lot. Trip is full but you can go on the waiting list.
Easy Cost to be calculated
Nov 8 Middle Road Reserve Dave Scoullar
Sat Middle Rd is near Horopito and a few kilometres up this road is a DOC reserve with a circular track which we have visited a number of times after being introduced to it by the Taumarunui Tramping Club. The track is also used by off-road vehicles and mountain bikes and has some big puddles but it’s mostly fairly flat and has some good bush. We will ask TTC to join us.
Easy/mod Approx cost $24
Nov 15 or 16 Walk the New Highway Pam Phease
Sat or Sun The new 11.4km highway between Ashhurst and Woodville has a walking/cycling lane. Pam walked this route before it was finished and is keen to cross the Ruahine range on foot again with the possibility of a crossover and to end the day at a cafe or at the herb farm.
Easy/mod Cost to be calculated
Nov 20-22 Waitewaewae Hut Sally Gray
Thurs-Sat Sally visited this hut in the west Tararua when she was on a five-day traverse in 2024. She wants to spend time there and on day 2 will do some exploring, perhaps going up the Otaki River or onto the tops. One for the hut baggers or for those who want to see more of the Tararua ranges. Waitewaewae has 16 bunks and costs $10 a night.
Fit Approx cost $26 (transport) Plus hut fees
Nov 22 or 23 Mangaehuehu Hut Johnny Channon
Sat or Sun The track into this hut in Tongariro National Park has everything — a waterfall (Waitonga), tarns, stream crossings, boardwalks, three swing bridges, beautiful bush (mainly beech trees), mountain views and the mandatory muddy patches. Join Johnny for a good leg stretch and lunch at the hut.
Mod Approx cost $25
Nov 29 or 30 Tunupo Dave Taylor 027 485 8434
Sat or Sun At 1568m Tunupo is a high point in the western Ruahine with stunning views. We have gone up the steadily rising track many times and reached Tunupo only occasionally. Dave is keen to summit again but if you just wish to enjoy the bush and go only part way, that’s all right with him.
Mod/fit Approx cost $27
TWILIGHT WALKS PROGRAMME 2025
The club’s twilight public walks are on again in November. All walks are on a Monday, begin at 6pm and will last up to two hours. There is no need to register, just turn up at the start point. The programme is:
Nov 3: Rozy Rawlinson will take us around Hylton Park in Aramoho, once a quarry. Over time a dedicated group of mountain bikers has developed an extensive network of tracks. The park is also popular as an adventure site for children. Rozy will show us recent developments there. Park at the entrance in Brunswick Rd.
Nov 10: Anne Condon will take us around Durie Hill. Meet at the BP on Taupo Quay and walk across the Cobham Bridge, turn left to Putiki and up the stairs by Braeburn to Hipango Tce. Up the zigzag to Taylor St, Fyfe St, Stark St to Portal St. Down the track and on to Anzac Pde and back to our cars via the City Bridge.
Nov 17: Barbara Francis will take us around St John's Hill. From the Parsons St viewpoint we will cross Great North Rd and walk around Virginia Lake, checking out the new sculpture "Legends of the Lake". We will then cross Great North Rd onto Parkes Ave, walk through the St John's Hill School grounds to Peakes Rd, onto the Ben's Pl walkway, then back up Parsons St to the viewpoint.
Nov 24: Dave Scoullar will take us on one of his favourites along the Whanganui riverbank to opposite port Castlecliff. On the way we will see some interesting artefacts including the hulls of sunken ships. The tide is out but there may be some muddy patches. Meet at the small concrete building on the riverbank just past the Army huts near the airport.