Te Puia Lodge - Makahu Rd Via Ridge Track

Te Puia lodge in the Kaweka forest park is a popular destination with the walk along the river from Makahu Rd being the easiest way to get there. If you're looking to make a loop out of it or want something a bit more challenging the track along the ridge past Makino biv is a good option.

We'll consider the trip from Te Puia lodge back  to the road. You start off by heading up the valley on the track to the hot springs, but instead of taking the swing bridge across the Makino stream you take the left branch. This track is not of the same standard as the river track but it's still pretty well defined with good footing. The track rises about 500 metres in 2.5km, it's fairly steep in places and will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the top of the hill depending largely on the fitness of your group. The bush and scrub start to thin out towards the top offering some good views of the surrounding area. At the top there is a fork in the track with the track on the right leading to Makino hut and further into the Kawekas. But it's the left track you want to take, from here the track begins an undulating sort of descent with a couple of plateaus on the way back to the carpark. The whole track will likely take 3.5 - 4 hours.

Do make sure you take a topo map and compass - great for your safety and piece of mind if you haven't been on the track before.

Note this track does not come out back at the gums car park, so if you've left your car there there will be a bit of road walking involved.