Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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We explore the beauty of the Mohaka River

February 18, 2015 by Keith Moretta Leave a Comment

Waitere Station, 18 February 2015

Fifteen arrived at Waitere Station on a clear, still and warm morning.

Ken R, Vic B and John M took the two vehicles to the airstrip where they began their day’s adventure, exploring below Kingma’s peak, an amazing valley protected between two gigantic limestone walls towering above like cathedrals.

The remaining 12 quickly walked from their drop-off point on farm tracks to the Mohaka River. Access to the river is becoming harder as more riverbank is being colonised by blackberry and gorse. Also, compared to from previous walks, the change in river course made it difficult to walk in many parts. This forced the group to return to higher ground until they could get better access to the river bank. Unfortunately this meant missing the gorge with its many geological fossil features in the rocks and waterfall.

The beautiful Mohaka River

The beautiful Mohaka River

The Mohaka River is wide and swift-flowing, with rapids and large limestone rock features along the river walk. After lunch, the group scrambled over boulders for a while before stopping in a calmer section of the river for a quick, cool dip.

The group left the Mohaka after this and ascended over the farm on a new vehicle access. Large areas were newly fenced for QE II covenant bush regeneration, which also had new vehicle access. After an hour’s walk to the stunning valley below Kingma’s Peak, we stopped in some shade and had views of the Mohaka River, Te Kooti’s lookout and the Kaweka ranges. Another steep ascent to the top of the valley had the group finish the day’s walk at the airstrip, meeting up with Ken, Vic and John.

The trail leads up the limestone canyon

The trail leads up the limestone canyon

A very warm day’s hike – but everyone was rewarded with good company, wonderful views and a fabulous river, as yet unspoilt.

Trampers: John Marshall, Vic Bullock, Paul Exeter, Ken Ross, Alison Greer, Hillary Heath-Caldwell, John Burrell, Waitangi Anderson, Dorothy Sole, Maggie Haggart, Lyn Bowcock, Joanna Tonge, Robyn Smith, Murray White and reporter and pix by Keith Moretta

Filed Under: Recent trips Tagged With: Mohaka River, Te Kooti's Lookout, Waitere Staation

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About us

We are a group of like-minded people who love the great outdoors. We tramp mostly in the Hawke’s Bay province, in remote areas such as the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges; but we also travel longer distances to new places, for longer walks.

The Napier Tramping Club was established in 1974 and has about 70 members. We belong to the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ Inc (FMC) and run Saturday, full-weekend and Wednesday tramps, every fortnight.

Interested in joining us?

Enjoy the great outdoors, keep fit and get to know others with similar interests.

More information

Latest news

March 2023 News

Tramp List Amendments and Road Closures Due to the inability to access most of the Ruahine Forest … Read More

February 2023 News

Mokai Access to Iron Bark and Colenso Huts Copied from the Ruahine User Group (Private) Facebook … Read More

Latest trip

The (local) hills are alive with trampers

Useful links

  • Dept of Conservation
  • DoC Huts Use, Kaweka Forest Park
  • Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC)
  • Heretaunga Tramping Club
  • New Zealand Tramper
  • NZ Walking Access Commission
  • Wanganui Tramping Club

Useful links 2

  • Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society
  • Weather forecast

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