Ngā Rā o Kupe to Kawakawa Hut

From Ngā Rā o Kupe, pick your way up the Mangatoetoe on any of the many braided lines to Mangatoetoe Hut, then continue up the correct stream.

Within 4–5km the Mangatoetoe branches multiple times; take care to follow the large orange DOC triangles.

The valley closes in and turns gorge-like. Travel up the river, dipping in and out of it, following the orange markers where you can. Where the trail exits the river is well bedded and marked.

A steep climb of roughly 130m vertical puts you over the saddle. The first undulation is brief, but the descent into the next catchment — Otakaha Stream — is precipitous. Take care. It ends at a waterfall and pool.

Follow the Otakaha downstream, boulder-hopping for 4km, then start scanning the true right, where you may encounter shortcut routes and a large DOC triangle marking where you leave the river bed. Miss it and you'll carry on down the river, past Kawakawa Hut. Through a copse of trees and a well-cleared track, continue along the flats where you'll meet Kawakawa Hut.

Kawakawa Hut to Pararaki Hut

Kawakawa Hut sits on the true right of the river, where a 4WD track crosses. It's marshalled — you must get checked by the marshal here. There is a 3-hour cut-off: if you reach the hut more than 3 hours after the start you won't be allowed to continue, and will be directed out to the nearest road end via the Otakaha — a very nice walk in its own right.

Head upstream, crossing the creek regularly, for 10–15 min. Turn left at the wooden “Pararaki Hut” sign.

The next undulation is set off a fine knife edge between tributaries. Roughly 310m of vertical: a steep climb up a narrow ridge — be careful, don't fall off — then a long cambered sidle to the saddle. It's awkward, off-camber work through native ongaonga and rocky shingle.

Over the saddle, descend to the Pararaki. Turn right (upstream), and follow it to Pararaki Hut.

Pararaki Hut to Washpool Hut

Pararaki Hut is 100m upstream on the left (true right). You must get checked by the marshal here.

A big hill — roughly 550m of vertical. There's windfall at the base of the track not far from the hut; follow the orange tape and markers through it. From there it's a solid climb on an obvious track, opening out through beech forest with plenty of tree fall.

Then a very steep descent, scary in full send, ending in a final 30-odd metres of loose scree where it's very easy to gather momentum — wanted or otherwise.

Turn left at Washpool Stream and follow the blazes downstream for 100m. Look for the sign to the hut on the true right bank, then head up the steps to Washpool Hut.

Washpool Hut to Finish

You must get checked by the marshals at Washpool Hut.

Much like the last: follow the well-signed Kopi track, up, up and up. Approximately 550m of vertical, a steep climb to the summit, then an obvious left onto the NW ridge. If you can afford the time, a brief dogleg at the top gives good views of the unnumbered undulations to come.

The ridge undulates for 3km through bush — false peaks, all of them brief. When you reach the old fence and 4x4 track, the climbing is pretty much over.

Descend through Gorse Alley. Like taking off a plaster, this is best done quickly; showing weakness will be booed.

Take the signed (and marshalled) left turn to the Pinnacles — you must check in with the marshal. Turn left onto the lookout track, NOT the Circular Walk, and descend the obvious stepped route to the river valley. The course is bookended with geology here: the Putangirua Pinnacles at one end, Ngā Rā o Kupe at the other.

Turn right at the river valley and follow the river downstream, towards the aromas of sausages sizzling and rest awaiting.

Look out for BLUE WARATAHS WITH ORANGE TRIANGLES. There are two, and they'll put you on the track to the finish. Miss them and it's not a major — you'll just be on rougher terrain and it'll take longer.

You're done. Go party. You are not weak.