The Titan Rocks Track starts on the true right of the Waikaia River, branching off the Waikaia River Track. Alas, DOC has closed the bridge to access the track, so the river has to be forded. In dry weather it should be easy. DOC plans to reopen the bridge, which was damaged by flood waters in 2020, by Christmas 2022.

Once on the Waikaia River Track, continue upstream for about 1800m to the start of the Titan Rocks Track.

The track is wide and well graded as if a bulldozer has been through, and there are many large beech trees and numerous juvenile tōtara. It climbs steeply above the stream, gaining 300m in 1km. Along the way, two old water races and possibly an old hut site are passed. At 500m, the track descends a couple of times to cross streams. These make good places to fill water bottles.

A series of clearings follows before the bushline is reached after a spell of walking through stunted mountain beech festooned with lichen at 900m.

A poled route now leads through slippery snow grass on soft ground, which slows progress towards the last ridge climb. There is no respite on the final 300m slog to the top but it is worth every step.

Titan Rocks is a spectacular jumble of tors and rocky outcrops spread like Stonehenge over the open tops. A great viewing platform makes for a good lunch spot while admiring the Umbrella Mountains, Waikaia Forest and the valleys to the north and south. 

It is possible to circumnavigate the outcrops among a sea of red tussock before calling it a day and heading back down. 

Once the slippery snow grass is behind you, it’s plain sailing to the bottom.