08 October 2026
Cloudy with showers, mainly about the Wairoa District. Southerlies.
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1 / 1Kaweka Forest Park
North Whetu Bivvy Track
Walk the length of the Kaweka Range to reach this classic ‘dog-box’ two-person bivouac, now tucked into a pleasant bushline site. Relocated in April 2022 by volunteers with DOC and the Backcountry Trust, it once stood near Studholme Saddle but now rests at the northern end of the range.
Distance
10.89 km
Walking time
5 - 6 hrs
Difficulty
Advanced
Dogs
Not allowed
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
Alerts and track conditions
Repair work for bridge between Kiwi Mouth and Manson Huts
Weather outlook
Hawkes Bay forecast
Issued 8 Oct 2026, 3:49 pm
09 October 2026
Mostly cloudy with occasional showers, persistent about the ranges. Southerlies.
10 October 2026
Occasional rain clearing in the afternoon but remaining cloudy. Easterlies, dying out in the evening.
11 October 2026
Mostly cloudy with isolated showers, becoming widespread for a time in the afternoon. Light winds.
12 October 2026
A few showers clearing in the afternoon, then partly cloudy. Light winds.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
North Whetu Bivvy Track on the map
See the full route on the map
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
About North Whetu Bivvy Track
From Makahu Saddle car park it’s a five-minute walk downhill to Makahu Saddle Hut, a little-used roadend hut. The track climbs from here, crossing Pinnacle Stream and zigzagging up past a 1960s pine-planting trial, then over a narrow scree ridge to Makahu Spur. Dominie Hut lies 20 minutes further, tucked just off the spur. Above the hut, a steep poled route climbs to the Kaweka Range crest at 1700 m, a 720 m climb from the car park and very exposed in strong winds. From the top, head north for 5 km along the range spine to a junction below Whetu (1650 m), with wide views to Ruapehu, the Kaimanawa Range and Hawke’s Bay. Beyond Whetu, a poled spur route drops 1.5 km northeast to North Whetu Biv (1320 m), hidden in a sheltered bush-edge clearing. Return the same way or complete a circuit via Camp Spur and Kaweka Flats Track .
Essential information for North Whetu Bivvy Track
The area is subject to strong winds and adverse weather conditions common to high altitude sites.
Huts and campsites
Makahu Saddle Hut Dominie Hut North Whetu Bivvy
Getting there for North Whetu Bivvy Track
Kaweka Road is located 65km north-west of Napier. From Napier follow Puketitiri Road for 36 km before turning left into Whittle Road. Kaweka Road is the first road on the right. Whittle Road passes partly through farmland before reaching the park entrance. Leave all gates as found. This road may be closed at times during winter because of snow. Use this location in Google Maps to 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 . Level up in your outdoor knowledge with these interactive 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 .
Before you walk North Whetu Bivvy 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.