McKerrow Track

There are two main starting points to reach Mt McKerrow, Catchpool Valley and Wainuiomata. You may choose to walk from one to the other with someone picking you up at the other end, walk there and back on the same track, or create a loop with the Orongorongo Valley. Use the notes section on the 'Plan' tab to indicate which route you intend to take. For an out and back walk via Clay Ridge , use this track for your plan. If including Orongorongo Track as part of your walk, check out the information for this track in your planning. If starting or ending in Wainuiomata, reference the information about Whakanui Track.

Campsites There is a large standard campsite at the beginning of this walk at Catchpool Valley . This campsite allows tents and campervans and has a large range of amenities. Bookings are required. There is also a basic expedition campsite at Graces Stream , along the Five Mile Loop. The campsite has a long drop and water is collected from the stream. Bookings are required. Huts Several huts are available in Orongorongo Valley, if you choose to create a loop. Turere Lodge is the largest and most popular of the DOC huts in Ōrongorongo Valley. It is suitable for families and larger groups and does not require crossing the Ōrongorongo River. It must be booked in advance. Each room has eight bunks and is sole occupancy. Individual bunks are not available. Jans Hut and Raukawa Hut are closer to the end of the track, but require a crossing of the river. The Ōrongorongo River rises quickly and can take several days to drop to a level that is safe to cross. Check the flow before leaving home. Do not cross the river when it's in flood or if sustained rainfall is forecast in the area. These huts must be booked in advance. As with most other DOC huts in the valley, the booking system is for booking the entire hut as sole occupancy. Individual bunks are not available. Other huts can be booked through DOC’s website or Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club.

Catchpool Valley Catchpool valley is 12 km south of Wainuiomata. Follow the Coast Road for 10 km to the Remutaka Forest Park entrance, then follow the Catchpool valley road for 2 km to the car park and information area. Use this location in google maps to find your way there. If the water is flowing over the ford on the road, park before the ford and use the Nga Taonga Nature Walk to reach the car park. Middle Ridge Track is then across a small field on the downhill section of the car park, which is also the starting point for Five Mile Loop track. Orongorongo Track is directly ahead at the end of the carpark. Wainuiomata If you choose to go via the Whakanui Track, you start at Hine Road in Wainuiomata. Use this location in Google Maps to find your way there.

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 .

Dogs on a leash only.