Wellington Regional Trails
Five hikers walk up a ridgeline in Tararua Forest Park.

Ōtaki Gorge Road has reopened

Vehicle access is possible as far Boielles and the overnight car parks. The road remains closed south of the overnight parking area, while further work is completed.

Find out more

Last updated: 12 July 2025

A significant and classic section of the Southern Crossing in the Tararua Range, with snow-peaked mountain tops and incredible sunset views.

Walking time
6 hr
Length
10.6km
Uses
Tramping/Hiking
Type
Single track
Walking difficulty
Advanced: Tramping track
Profile

800m climb

1442m highest point

Dogs
Yes (on lead)
Four hikers walk up the Kime Hut Walk in the Tararua Forest Park.
Kime Hut in Tararua Forest Park sits on a grassy mountain top under a foggy sky.
Four hikers walk along a wooden path surrounded by tall grass.
Three hikers walk along a trail in Tararua Forest Park.

About the trail

The tramp to Kime Hut is a part of the classic Tararua traverse known as the Southern Crossing. From Boielles Flat (Ōtaki Forks) it should take around 6 hours to complete one way, plus another 2 hours for the emergency access track. 

From Field Hut the trail climbs out of the bush and across Table Top Ridge for about 20 minutes. The track here is easy-going underfoot and slowly winds up the hill. 

The walk from Field Hut to Kime Hut is about 3 hours one-way. It starts by crossing alpine wetland and offers breathtaking views. From there, a zigzag path climbs towards the Saddle of Dennan (1 hour from Field Hut). After Dennan, an undulating path leads to a steeper zigzag and then traverses exposed alpine meadows near Bridge Peak. 

The trail from here is intermittently marked by poles and cairns. Above the snowline, follow the blue marker poles, known locally as Noel’s poles. The route slowly climbs up and then dips into the valley towards the welcoming sight of Kime Hut.

At dawn, a birdseye view of Kime Hut, a small cabin with a red roof near the top of a mountain ridge.

Looking for more?

At start of items
Four hikers walk up the Kime Hut Walk in the Tararua Forest Park.

Tararua Southern Crossing in Tararua Forest Park

Set aside a few days and travel the snow-capped ridgelines of the Tararua Ranges from Ōtaki to Kaitoke.

A hiker climbs a set of stairs surrounded by a dark lush forest.

Trig Track

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve trailsTrig track is a challenging and steep climb to Tūteremoana, the highest point on Kāpiti Island. Find an abundance of native birds.

A view from the Pukeatua Track, with forest and green rolling hills in the background.

Pukeatua Track

Pukeatua track in Tararua Forest Park is part of the Te Araroa trail and is an advanced tramping track. It links Ōtaki Forks to Mangaone South Road.

Three hikers and a dog walking in desnse ferns surrounded by mossy trees and native New Zealand bush.

Holdsworth to Kaitoke Track

A classic three day hike through the Tararua Range, following the Waiohine and Tauwharenīkau rivers for 34 kilometres.

Two riders on motorbikes passing through a stream on the Karapoti Challenge course

Karapoti Classic Course

Home to the Karapoti Classic, a gruelling 50km adventure trail in the Akatarawa Forest. For advanced mountain bikers only.

At the top of Mākara Walkway looking south, you can see the coastline with windmills dotting the hills. The top of the South Island an be seen in the distance.

Mākara Walkway

Mākara Walkway is a challenging trail high above Mākara Beach. The trail starts near Karori and goes past sea cliffs and WW2 gun emplacements.

Two people walking down wooden steps on the Escarpment Track. The coastal road in the background has many cars on it, and nearby are large rocky outcrops on the shoreline.

Escarpment Track

The Escarpment Track runs from Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay. An intermediate-level walk. One of Wellington's best walking experiences with views to Kapiti Island.

Two people sit on a bench in a small clearing at the summit of Hemi Matenga Scenic Reserve in the Kāpiti Coast.

Te Au Track

Hemi Matenga Scenic ReserveTe Au Track is an advanced level bush walk in Hemi Matenga Scenic Reserve with panoramic views over Waikanae Estuary and Kapiti Island.

The exterior of Field Hut in Tararua Forest Park. People are sitting on the deck eating. Native trees surround the hut.

Ōtaki Forks to Field Hut

Enjoy this versatile hike from Ōtaki Forks through grasslands, bush, and winter snow to Field Hut, the oldest surviving recreational hut in the Tararua Range.

Brown and green farm landscape on the Ti Kouka Loop with the ocean and Kapiti Island in the distance.

Ti Kouka/Rocks Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveClimb to the Rocks Lookout — the highest point at Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve.