Waiopehu Hut has views of Gable End Ridge and Dundas Ridge. Photo: Justin Sprecher

Waiopehu Hut via Gable End Ridge, Tararua Forest Park

May 2025

Read more from

May 2025

There are dramatic views of Dundas Ridge from both the trail and the hut on this loop, which is just an hour from Wellington.

Starting at the car park at the end of Poads Road, walk through farmland for 1km to reach the forest park boundary. You may have to shoo a few cattle out of the way. Here the Ohau Gorge Track enters native bush. This section along the river is easy walking and relatively flat.  After about […]
May 2025

Read more from

May 2025

Justin Sprecher

About the author

Justin Sprecher

Wilderness newsletter editor and contributor Justin Sprecher is a tramper, thru-hiker and trail runner with a passion for wild backcountry. He has been writing and photographing for outdoor publications for more than a decade and holds a degree in film studies and communications from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His writing has featured in publications in New Zealand and North America and his films have screened at festivals worldwide.

More From May 2025

More From May 2025

Related Topics

Similar Articles

Your daily walk matters in more ways than you think

A chance encounter on the Old Ghost Road

A hiking shoe that refuses to compromise

Triangle Hut, Ruahine Forest Park

Dianes Hut via Dead Dog Hut, Ruahine Forest Park

Kaimanawa Circuit (Sharp Cone and Mt Urchin), Kaimanawa Forest Park

Join Wilderness. You'll see more, do more and live more.

Already a subscriber?  to keep reading. Or…

34 years of inspiring New Zealanders to explore the outdoors. Don’t miss out — subscribe today.

Your subscriber-only benefits:

All this for as little as $6.75/month.

1

free articles left this month.

Already a subscriber? Login Now