11 October 2026
Showers, possibly heavy, clearing to fine spells in the afternoon. Clouding over in the evening with drizzle on the ranges. Light winds, then afternoon westerlies.
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1 / 1Ruahine Forest Park
Iron Gate Hut Track
Iron Gate Hut is a good day's hike along a sidle track up the Oroua River valley. Longer tramps are possible from this hut. Stay a night and return the same way.
Distance
8.2 km
Walking time
4 - 5 hr
Difficulty
Advanced
Dogs
Allowed — check local rules
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
Alerts and track conditions
Iron Gate Hut Track closed due to active slip
Iron Gate Hut Track closed due to active slip
Weather outlook
Manawatu forecast
Issued 10 Oct 2026, 11:01 pm
12 October 2026
Mostly cloudy with isolated showers, clearing to fine in the morning. Westerlies developing for a time in the afternoon.
13 October 2026
Occasional rain, clearing for a time in the morning and afternoon. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
14 October 2026
Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Northwesterlies.
15 October 2026
Showers developing, some heavy. Northwesterlies.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
Iron Gate Hut Track on the map
See the full route on the map
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
About Iron Gate Hut Track
Follow the well-formed track to Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge and continue past the hut. The sidle track runs above the Oroua River all the way to Iron Gate Hut, which sits beside the river. While the route doesn’t reach high elevations, it includes several steep descents and climbs in and out of side streams.
Huts and campsites
Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge Iron Gate Hut
Getting there for Iron Gate Hut Track
Just past the village of Kimbolton turn right onto Apiti Road which then becomes Oroua Valley Road. Go through Apiti and take the second turn right onto Table Flat Road and continue for several kms. Turn left onto Petersons Road. Take this road to the car park on farmland at the end of the road. Use this location on Google Maps to help find your way there.
Helpful resources
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel
Dog access for Iron Gate Hut Track
Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only.
Before you walk Iron Gate Hut Track
Track information, access and weather can change. Confirm current alerts and land-manager information close to departure, tell someone your plans, and carry equipment appropriate for the route and conditions.