Distance: 36kms
Grade: 3
Average
Time: 4-6 hours
[plus a 1 hour jetboat transfer]
Start: Ruatiti (or Whakahoro)
Finish: Pipiriki
Beginning with a sturdy uphill climb to the Mangapurua Trig, the
trail then descends steadily through the Whanganui National Park Forest, along
sheer bluffs, through regenerating native forest and finally ends on the banks
of the Whanganui river, just past the historic Bridge to Nowhere for a jet boat
ride back to civilisation.
An alternative starting point is from Whakahoro along the Kaiwhakauka track,
a grade 4 ride along a trail with many patches of relatively undisturbed
native forest. The Kaiwhakauka track meets up with the Mangapurua Track at the
Mangapurua Trig then follows the same route to the landing to meet the
pre-arranged boat transfer to Pipiriki.