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Kaweka Forest Park (Lakes Carpark)
13.6 km
7 hours
948 metres
Safety notice: Conditions change; check DOC/local council/weather before walking.
If you are looking for a quintessential North Island backcountry experience that tests your lungs as much as it rewards your eyes, the Kiwi Saddle Track from Lakes Carpark is a must-do. Tucked away in the rugged heart of the Kaweka Forest Park in Hawke’s Bay, this is a tramp for those who like their trails steep, their views expansive, and their huts remote. It is a challenging 13.6km return journey that typically takes about 7 hours, so you’ll want to pack your sturdy boots and a good sense of adventure.
Your journey begins at the Lakes Carpark, a remote trailhead that feels like the gateway to a different world. Almost immediately, the track lets you know what you’re in for. From the DOC sign, you’ll start a steady, determined ascent. Initially, you’ll find yourself walking through the distinct, resinous scent of pine trees, but don't get too comfortable—the landscape quickly shifts. You’ll soon be immersed in a dense, vibrant forest of kānuka and mānuka. The air here is often filled with the frantic chatter of native birds, providing a natural soundtrack to your climb.
The climb is, quite frankly, a bit of a "leg-burner." You’ll be zigzagging upwards for a relentless 650-metre gain to reach the summit of Mt Kuripapango, which sits at 1,250 metres. As you push through the bush, keep an eye out behind you; the canopy occasionally thins, offering tantalising glimpses of the Hawke’s Bay high country below.
Once you break out onto the summit of Mt Kuripapango, the world opens up. On a clear day, the 360-degree views are nothing short of spectacular. You can often spot the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu to the west and the rolling spine of the Ruahine Range to the south. From here, the track becomes the Smith-Russell Track, heading northwest along an undulating ridge.
This section of the walk is pure alpine magic. You’ll traverse broad tussock saddles and delicate herbfields, interspersed with stands of mountain beech forest. These patches of beech are particularly special; the branches often arch over the path like a natural cathedral, offering a cool, shaded reprieve from the exposed ridge. You’ll hit a high point of 1,359 metres along this ridge—the literal peak of your day—before beginning the final descent toward the hut.
Parking is available at the Lakes Carpark, which is accessed via Kuripapango Road off the Napier-Taihape Road. The road to the carpark is unsealed, and a 4WD vehicle is recommended for safer travel, especially during adverse weather conditions. Be aware that a new parking location may exist at a skid site near a closed gate at the end of Kuripapango Road, which would add an extra 500 metres walk to the trailhead. The carpark is signposted for DOC tracks.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Petroica longipes
Friendly forest bird that often approaches walkers. Found in native bush reserves across the North Island.
Best time: Year-round
Falco novaeseelandiae
Also known as Kārearea. Fast and agile raptor found in both forest and open country.
Best time: Year-round
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Out and back
The final stretch takes you down from the high ridges to the Kiwi Saddle Hut, which sits nestled at 1,170 metres. Tucked into a protective pocket of beech forest on an open saddle, the hut feels like a hidden sanctuary. Whether you’re staying the night or just stopping for a well-earned lunch, the sense of isolation and peace here is profound.
The Kiwi Saddle Track is packed with standout moments, but a few truly define the experience:
The Lakes Carpark is located at the end of Kuripapango Road, which branches off the famous Napier-Taihape Road (known locally as the 'Gentle Annie'). While the drive from Napier or Hastings is incredibly scenic, it is also remote.
The road to the carpark is unsealed and can be quite rough in places. While a standard car might manage in dry conditions, a 4WD vehicle is highly recommended, particularly after rain when the surface can become greasy or rutted.
Note on Parking: Be aware that access can occasionally change due to forestry or track maintenance. Currently, there may be a new parking area at a skid site near a closed gate at the end of Kuripapango Road. If you park here, it adds about 500 metres of walking to reach the official trailhead. Look for the DOC signage to ensure you’re in the right spot.
The Kaweka Forest Park is a haven for native birdlife. Because this track spans several different ecosystems—from pine and mānuka to high-altitude beech and tussock—the variety is impressive.
This track is accessible year-round, but each season brings a different character:
The Kaweka Forest Park holds a special place in the heart of Hawke's Bay. For centuries, the area was known to Māori as a place for gathering resources and as a transit route between the coast and the central plateau. The name Kaweka itself is often associated with the "fanning out" of the ridges.
In more recent history, the area became a focus for early European explorers and sheep farmers, though the rugged terrain proved a formidable foe. The Napier-Taihape Road, which you travel to get here, follows an old drover's route.
The Heretaunga Tramping Club has a long history of stewardship in this park. They maintain the Kiwi Saddle Hut, and it is thanks to the efforts of volunteers and DOC that these remote backcountry assets remain available for us to enjoy. The park is also a site of significant conservation work, particularly in predator control to protect the rare species like the kārearea and the North Island brown kiwi that call these forests home.
After 7 hours of rugged tramping and nearly 1,000 metres of climbing, you’ll likely be dreaming of a cold drink or a hot meal. Since the Lakes Carpark is quite remote, your best options involve heading back towards the "civilisation" of Hawke's Bay.
The Kiwi Saddle Track isn't just a walk; it’s a challenge that leaves you with a deep appreciation for the wild, untamed beauty of the Hawke’s Bay high country.
Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis
A large, intelligent forest parrot that uses its strong beak to extract grubs and its brush-like tongue for nectar.
Best time: Year-round
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Small insectivorous bird with distinctive fan-shaped tail. Friendly and curious, often following walkers through the bush.
Best time: Year-round
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Endemic New Zealand honeyeater with distinctive white throat tuft and iridescent plumage. Known for its complex and beautiful song.
Best time: Year-round
Anthornis melanura
Endemic songbird with bell-like calls. Males are olive-green with a purple head sheen; females are browner with a narrow white-yellow stripe across the cheek.
Best time: Year-round
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round