42 Traverse

  • Walking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Horse Riding
Difficulty
Medium
Length
71.5 km
Journey Time
4–7 hr
Regions
Waikato , Manawatu/Whanganui
Sub-Region
Ruapehu
Part of Collections
Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail , Te Araroa - North Island
Track maintained by
Te Araroa Trail Trust

Te Araroa trail section: The 42 Traverse is a 46 km multi-use track through the Tongariro Forest Conservation Area. It is one of the best challenging mountain biking tracks in the North Island. It is also a stunning walk for Te Araroa walkers and other trampers.

From Hākiaha Street (SH4) in Taumarunui, head south (Turaki Street and Morero Terrace) to cross the Whanganui River and get onto Hikumutu Road for a long but pleasant walk through the countryside. Follow Hikumutu Road through the small settlement of Hikumutu, past a brief encounter with the Whanganui River, then east to Ōwhango. You’ll join Kawautahi Road just before you get to Ōwhango, then follow that east 1km to SH4. Then walk north 200m on SH4 and turn right/east into Omatane Road on the southern edge of Ōwhango. Follow Omatane Road, Onga Street and Whakapapa Bush Road to the start of the 42 Traverse. It is 27km from Hākiaha Street in Taumarunui to Ōwhango.

The 42 Traverse track, used by Te Araroa between Owhango (km 1078.5) and the junction with Waione/Cockers Track (km 1101.5), was previously closed by DoC due to a slip at km 1097.6. DOC have since re-opened 42 Traverse and provided an optional bypass track from km 1092.8 to km 1099.6. The ground continues to slump but the slip is crossable on foot

42 Traverse (including Waione/Cokers Track) — 35km / 1.5 days

This track follows the 42 Traverse four-wheel drive road for the first 22km. In wet conditions, this can be very muddy and slippery. This branches off along the Waione/Cokers DOC track, then on to Access Road #3 for about 6km before joining SH47. Continue on SH47 northeast; there is the junction with SH46 where there is accommodation.  The Waione Track Bypass marked on some maps between km 1109.5 and km 1111.5 is no longer necessary

Note, this route previously deviated north from Access Road #3 to visit Te Pōrere Redboubt. However, we now encourage walkers to remain on Access Road 3 to respect this culturally significant site. 

A 7.5km road walk from the exit of Access Road #3 to the turnoff for the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (a further 1km up to the carpark) is along a sealed highway, broken only by a small settlement near the junction of SH46 and SH47 that has some accommodation including Tongariro Holiday Park. This is the last comfortable campsite before the Tongariro Crossing.  

The next campsite is at DOC’s Mangatepopo Hut, 25 km away. Make sure you have enough water for the crossing before you start. There are no streams on the mountain, and the creek just after Ketatahi Carpark is undrinkable due to its high alkali content.

Although not the official Te Araroa route, it is possible to make a day trip from Taumarunui to experience the Tongariro Alpine Crossing northbound, then kayak/canoe the upper reaches of the Whanganui River to Whakahoro and on to the Pipiriki/Whanganui River

Conditions

  • The 42 Traverse has a variety of users - share the track with care and consideration.
  • Take care following rainfall as stream levels rise quickly. Only cross waterways after checking they are safe.
  • Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only.
  • 4WD vehicles are not permitted from 1 May – 30 November.
  • The T42 mountain biking, running and walking event is held annually in early May.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Red Crater) weather - NIWA

How to get here

About 16 km along SH47 from National Park Village, turn into Kapoors Road. Follow this for about 6 km to the start of the track at the road end.

Transport

There are several shuttle companies providing morning pick-ups from nearby towns and delivery to the track start, i.e National Park, Ōhakune, Tūrangi and Taupō. They include:

Accommodation

Taumaranui

  • Hikumutu Valley Lodge (10km South of Taumaranui on trail) - P: 022 402 4639 – E: info@Hikumutu.com - backpacker style accommodation, $35 pp ($20 pp for those registered to walk Te Araroa). Includes bunk rooms with private lockable cupboards (mattress, pillows and bottom sheet provided with the option to add a duvet for an additional $5). Camping is available for $25 pp or $15 for registered walkers. Private rooms are available and priced separately. Facilities include Wi-Fi and heating, equipped communal kitchen, shower and washing facilities and a communal dining and living space.  We’re happy to receive and hold packages for our guests, send to 874 Hikumutu Road, RD2, Hikumutu, Taumarunui, 3992.  Please include your name, contact details, and estimated arrival on the box.

  • Ruapehu Unique Stays - Our in the Hills Hikumutu Tiny House is on the trail, 7km south of Taumarunui (sleeps up to 3 people) and two options in the NZ native forest on the edge of Taumarunui just 2km from the trail perfect for a rest day or restocking in town (Edge of Town Cabin sleeps up to 2 people and Wonderforest sleeps up to 4 people). E: RuapehuUniqueStays@gmail.com -  P: +64 20 438 3909 - Facebook:  Ruapehu Unique Stays

Ōwhango

  • Ōwhango Adventures - P: 0800 2 CANOE / 027 678 6461 - E: info@owhangoadventures.co.nz - W: www.canoewhanganuiriver.com - Free night accommodation at Owhango Adventures Base included with canoe bookings. Canoe hire for Te Araroa Whanganui River Journey is $250 Per Person for bookings of 2 x - 4 x people. $210 Per Person for bookings of 5 x people or more. If you would like to buy extra groceries for your journey we can collect from Taumarunui and store in our industrial chiller and food storage until your arrival for free of charge. We can also store and transport Mountain bikes and Equipment and drop them off for you at the end of your Whanganui River journey free of charge with bookings. Thorough safety briefings included with all relevant equipment and safety gear required. We will meet you at Whakahoro on the morning of your journey departure with all your canoes/barrels and equipment, then meet you at Whanganui Top10 Holiday Park with all your gear and equipment at the end of your journey. Washing Machine available on site. BBQ and varied kitchen facilities available on site. Hot showers and toilets available on site. Free WIFI available on site. If you require assistance with planning your adventure on the Whanganui River please feel free to ask whether you are booked with us or not. Free camping available to all Te Araroa Trail walkers available at our Base in Ōwhango.

End of route

  • Tongariro Family Holiday Park - State Highway 47, Tongariro - P: 07 386 8062 - Camping, cabins and units.  Highly recommended spot to rest up and recoup between 42 Traverse and Tongariro Alpine Crossing.  Halfway point between Taumarunui and National Park
  • Cross X Roads camping at  2010 Rotoaira Road, Tongariro Forest, on SH47 just north of the intersection at km 1118.3 where Te Araroa turns right onto SH46 (Lake Rotoaira Road) towards the northern end of the Tongariro Crossing. TA hikers $10 per night. Campsite has a composting toilet, fresh water, amazing mountain views and very wide open space. If we are running transport for the Crossing on any given day that we may have TA hikers staying, we are happy to drop them at Ketetahi carpark entrance at no cost as we are going there to pick up customers anyway. Hosts Ma 021 0272 2828 and Shane 021 053 8882.  Walkers please phone, no need to book through the website 

Food And Supply

Ōwhango

  • Blue Hill Cafe, Owhango located on the main highway in Owhango next to the mechanics and opposite the public restrooms. 

Track Elevation and Map

Total 4 photos. Click image above to view them all.

More information

Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.  

This track is part of the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa track database. Herenga ā Nuku has maps and advice about public access to the outdoors.

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:

Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.

Mountain Safety Council Plan My Trip
Page last updated: 23/11/2024, 11:28 am