Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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River crossing 101, and a climb up to Hinerua Hut

August 22, 2020 by Di Reid Leave a Comment

Hinerua Hut, Ruahine FP, Saturday 22 August 2020
Banner Pix: Heading up the Tukituki River and up Hinerua Ridge

There was no van, due to Covid restrictions, so some cars left Napier and joined others at Maraekakaho – 17 trampers in all, five of whom were staying overnight and 12 on the day trip.

We drove to the end of Mill Road, having gained permission from the farmer. Lots of leaves budding on the willows and wee lambs skipping in the paddocks were just gorgeous.

The air was quite cool when we arrived; the Bay forecast was 22C but it definitely was not for us!

Heading for the hills

With boots on, we left just before 9am, over the fence across the paddock holding some grand black cattle. Down to the Moorcock Stream, and then we headed about 20 minutes downstream and crossed to the Tukituki River. The river was quite fast-flowing, not warm, and well over our knees! Most crossed over solo but a few had an extra hand, especially helping our new, less-experienced members who we’re delighted to welcome.

From there, it was a very steep, muddy climb, a clamber and lots of pulling up for about 10 minutes. Then a barbed wire fence which was just at the wrong height! Two members gave others a helping hand and no-one was damaged. We came out into farmland again, and very steep. It can’t be easy to farm such slopes; hats off to the farmer.

Lunch outside Hinerua Hut

We entered the forest park, stopping for morning tea before starting the two-hour trek to the hut. A fabulous track, very well maintained, mostly up, lots of moss in places looking like a scene out of Lord of the Rings, other places more open. With 17 of us, we arranged to meet at the junction signposted to the airstrip, to ensure we were all together. It was then a short walk to the hut for lunch. At 1050m and with snow in sight, the air was quite chilly, so lunch took about 20 minutes as we started to get cold.

We left our five friends (Julia, Lynette, Matt, Fiona and Mark) at the hut for their overnight and headed back.

On the way, two of us spotted a cross for an old friend, Jim Stove, who passed away on this track several years ago.

Heading back down the steep fenceline

As we headed down, the sun came out and we all had to take off a layer. The sun was lovely when back on the farmland, heading down the steep hill. We followed the fence down this time. It was very steep, with loose rocks. Then back to our old friend, the barbed wire! Much hilarity trying to get everyone over unscathed! On the steepest part, we were literally swinging off the roots to get down.

One of the prescribed ways of river crossing

At the river, we crossed four at a time. This was somewhere between educational and hilarious. When all were safely over, we decided to practise some bush skills and river crossing, especially for our new members.

Then it was out of the Tukituki River, back through to the Moorcock Stream, up the steep hill again, and across to the cars.

We finished at 3.30pm after a good six-hour tramp. Lovely and warm in the sunshine and lots of happy faces. A great day out had by all.

Trampers: Su Nugent, Marie Deroles, Shona Tupe, Sue Martin, Sue Gribble, Margaret Palmer, Amber Cooper, Gordon Tapp, Colin Jones, Roeland Pootjes, Bryan Powlesland and reporter Di Reid.

Filed Under: Napier Tramping Club, Recent trips, Ruahine Tagged With: Hinerua Hut, Ruahine Forest Park, Tukituki River

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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

January 2023 News

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December 2022 News

Mokai access A message from Dan Tuohy, Senior Ranger, DoC Manawatu. Posted 24 December … Read More

Latest trip

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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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