Thompsons Track is often used by 4WDs and trail bikers so is wide and can be muddy and rutted in places. Take this track until the junction with the North-South Track.

Head south for about 1km until a marked and signposted track leaves the North-South track and leads up the eastern flanks of Ngatamahinerua (848m).

The exposure here can be unnerving. Once on the plateau, the track becomes rutted and can be water-logged. It takes about 40min of bush-bashing along the overgrown path to reach a sign pointing left to the three-bunk Kauritatahi Hut.