Wangapeka Track
More detailed information:
Tramping track
Time:
4 - 6 days one way
Distance:
59 km
Getting there
From Tapawera, 62 km from Nelson, follow the sign posts west to the Wangapeka Valley. After crossing the Dart River ford or footbridge, continue 7 km up the valley to Prices Clearing. Here there is an information kiosk with public telephone (free dialling to Nelson) and intentions book. The track starts a further 1 km on at the Rolling River carpark.
From the West Coast road, turn off at Little Wanganui, 80 km north of Westport, 18 km south of Karamea, and drive inland for 5 km on Wangapeka Road to the carpark where the track starts.
The Leslie-Karamea Track leads into the Wangapeka Track.
Public transport
A bus service is available from Nelson to Tapawera. From Nelson, Motueka and Tapawera, on demand transport services are available to the start of the track.
Similar services are available from the Karamea end, and an air service which can return visitors to their starting point.
Description
Connor Creek, Wangapeka
The Wangapeka Track traverses Kahurangi National Park from the Waimea Basin in the east to the West Coast near Karamea in the west. It crosses two saddles of over 1000 metres and travels through beautiful beech-forested valleys of the Wangapeka, Karamea, Taipo and Little Wanganui rivers. Reasonable fitness is required and boots are recommended.
Activities
Fishing
Fishing
The Wangapeka River has good numbers of brown trout and is a nationally recognised fishery. Anglers need a licence from Fish & Game New Zealand.
Hunting
Red deer can be found and pigs are present, but not in large numbers. Each hunter must have a DOC permit. For a permit contact a West Coast office for the Little Wanganui catchment and a Nelson/Marlborough office for the rest of the track.
View the latest Pesticides Summary for Nelson/Marlborough
More information on hunting in Nelson/Marlborough
For further hunting information in this area contact DOC Motueka Area Office.
Places to stay
You need backcountry hut tickets or a backcountry hut pass to stay in the huts, which all require one ticket with the exception of Cecil King’s Hut, Rolling River Shelter, Stag Flat Emergency Shelter and Wangapeka Bivvy which are free.
Plan and prepare
- Undertake the Wangapeka Track only if you are an experienced tramper and carry warm, waterproof clothing and extra food.
- In normal flows unbridged streams are easily crossed, however in flood they can become impassable and you will need to be prepared to wait until floodwaters receded.
- Wasps are a known hazard and are particularly common from December until April. Carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings.
- The presence of biting sandflies can be a problem, especially during the summer months. Cover up and apply a good quality repellent to any exposed skin.
- No cooking facilities are provided. All visitors should carry a portable stove.
- Boil, filter or treat water for drinking
What to expect on a tramping track:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
- Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Tramping/hiking boots required
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