On-leadExpert
Mangahao Flats Hut to Arete Hut
Tararua Forest Park · Wellington · Point to Point
↑ 1135 m gain↓ 260 m descenthigh 1481 msteepest 43 %
DISTANCE10.9 km
ASCENT1,135 m
DURATION4.5–5 hr
STEEPEST43 %
ROUTEPoint to Point
DOG EFFORT5.0 /5 paws
Nearest emergency vetMassey University Pet Emergency Centre (Te Pokapu Ohotata), Palmerston North
0800 738 363
The route
Good to know
On the lead here. Keep it to two metres or less and watch for ground-nesting birds, as on most NZ tracks.
Lake swimRiver swim spotsForest shadeUsually a quiet trackBest in summer; snow and ice at altitude in winter
Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.
About Mangahao Flats Hut to Arete Hut
Mangahao Flats Hut to Arete Hut covers 10.9 km, near Tararua Forest Park in Wellington, walked as a point-to-point.
It sits at the expert end and gains roughly 1,135 m, pitching up to 43 % at its steepest, and takes about 4.5–5 hr to walk.
Along the way there are native forest, lakeside stretches, river frontage, and big views. Dogs are welcome here on the lead.