Mangapurua Track

This track passes through the Whanganui National Park, past farms, native forest, bluffs, and ravines before crossing the Bridge to Nowhere, ending at Mangapurua Landing where you can catch a jet boat ride to Whakahoro Campsite or to Pīrīriki and on to further transport from there, or you can make it a return trip back to the start. Jet boat transfers must be pre-booked. See our friends at Ngā Haerenga/Great Rides of New Zealand for a trail map. Ruatītī Road end to the Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka junction Time: 4 hr 30 min walking, 2 hr cycling Distance: 10.8 km Accessed from Ruatītī Road, the track climbs gently from the gate at the road end through private farmland, regenerating scrub and pockets of native bush. As you climb into hill country there are stunning views of the Tongariro National Park to the east. Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka junction to Mangapurua Trig Time: 30 min walking, 15 min cycling Distance: 1.4 km Continue heading west towards the Whanganui River you'll soon reach the Mangapurua Trig sign. This area provides a lunch or camping spot, with water and toilet facilities. The water is from a spring on the inside of the road bend just past the trig and the toilets are located about 25 m off the main track on the original access road. A sidetrack leads up to a cleared viewpoint. On a fine day, there are sweeping views of Tongariro National Park to the east and Mt Taranaki to the west. Mangapurua Trig to Johnson’s Time: 2 hr walking, 1 hr cycling Distance: 6.8 km From the Trig the track heads steadily downhill, passing the only uncut section of forest in the Mangapurua Valley. The first swing bridge in the valley crosses Slippery Creek and a further 1.5 km along you reach Johnson’s. The large flat at Johnson’s makes a good camping spot. The campsite has a shelter, water supply and toilet. Johnson’s to Bettjeman’s Time: 1 hr walking, 30 min cycling Distance: 3.4 km There are a number of large flats in the upper valley as you head towards Bettjeman’s. Bettjeman’s to Hellawell’s Time: 1 hr 30 min walking, 45 min cycling Distance: 4.6 km The Bettjeman house site is easily identified by its straight row of poplars that line the old road. There is good water supply from the stream near this house site and a toilet. Roughly 1.5 km from Bettjeman’s is Bartrum’s swingbridge, access for quad traffic ends at this bridge. From Bartrum’s the valley becomes narrow with the track going around a series of bluffs. Care must be taken while crossing these bluffs as the Mangapurua Stream may be as much as 70m below – mountain bikers must dismount and walk, with your bike between you and the fall hazard. Hellawell’s to Bridge to Nowhere Time: 1 hr 30 min walking, 45 min cycling Distance: 5.7 km The track continues to follow the true left of the Mangapurua Stream before descending towards the Bridge to Nowhere. Continue along the narrow track which dips and climbs crossing streams and small bridges down the valley. Watch out for falling rocks while passing bluffs . Bridge to Nowhere to Mangapurua Landing Time: 40 min walking, 20 min cycling Distance: 2.7 km This section of track is well used by visitors to the Bridge to Nowhere. This can be a very busy section of track in the warmer months. Mountain bikers need to look out for walkers and vice versa. There are toilets halfway between the bridge and the river at Hunter’s Clearing and shelter near the landing.

There are no huts along the track. We recommend camping at sites with toilets. Do not camp under pine trees – tree limbs, and even entire trees, can fall unexpectedly. Mangapurua Campsite This is a boat or tramp in only campsite with 10 non-powered tent sites. There is no drive on access. In the Great Walks season (1 October 2023 – 30 April 2024) bookings are required Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2023 – 30 September 2023) bookings are not required. Boil, filter or treat water – water from tap is not treated.

The Mangapurua Track can be accessed by road from Ruatītī Road, north of Raetihi on State Highway 4. The track can also be accessed by boat from the Whanganui River at the Mangapurua Landing. Note: River transport is necessary to and from the Mangapurua Landing and jetboats can be hired to carry your party either to Pipiriki or to Whakahoro Campsite on the Kaiwhakauka Track.

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

No dogs.