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Motatapu Track
Added 26 March 200826 March 2008 by MatthewMatthew.2 revisions, most recently 21 April 200821 April 2008 by MatthewMatthew. View history
A new track crossing the tussock tops of the Motatapu and Soho Stations to link Wanaka and Arrowtown, and forming part of the Te Araroa Trail.
| Location |
Location of Fern Burn hut
Place.
|
|---|---|
| Begins | Fern Burn car park, Matukituki Valley, near Wanaka |
| Ends | Macetown, near Arrowtown |
| Return | One way |
| Grade |
What does this mean?
MediumClick for warnings and more detail! Easy: Unusually smooth, well-marked track, easy gradients. Up to about 4 hours per day. |
| Length | 29.0 km (18.0 mi) |
| Time | 17 hr - 21 hr (3 dqays) |
| Altitude | 1,275m (4,183.1 ft) |
| Huts |
Roses Hut
Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 12.
Highland Creek Hut
Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 12.
|
| Map sheets |
NZMS260-F40
NZMS260-F41 |
Notes
This track crosses private land. Please ensure gates are left as found and stiles are used where available. The track is very new and many sections are undeveloped apart from a line of marker poles. The track may be walked in either direction, with the Macetown end being a few more hours from a sealed road aong the Macetown Road.
No tags yet.
"I just found this nice set of pics while researching the track (hoping to start it on Sunday): http://outdoors.gi...mbnails.php?album=8
Also, there's a kind-of map on the DoC track leaflet, which you can get for $2 or just email Wanaka's Visitor Centre and they can email you a PDF, I can't find it on their website yet.
Plus the Fern Burn Hut is open now so I'm going to do it in 4 days from Glendhu (all huts $5 - bargain)
Edit: Done it! Pics here: http://www.flickr..../72157614043046053/
Fab track :)"
— wet_boots 11 February 200911 February 2009
"New Fern Burn hut grid reference (from DOC) is 921998 so that is NZMS260 F40 921998. I will be doing this map over Easter 09 and will track the map with a GPS so I can put it into my mapping software. Want a copy printed on waterproof inkjet paper? Drop me an email." — AllanR 9 February 20099 February 2009
"Is there a route map available somewhere?
It all looks fine until Roses Hut (heading towards Wanaka from Arrowtown) but seems to become somewhat vague around Knuckle Peak. I'm hoping to do this one in November."
— zaphod b 1 October 20081 October 2008
"This "track" is not easy-medium and demands a level of stamina & fitness way above that required to do the popular "great walks" in the Wanaka-Queenstown region, such as the Routeburn, Kepler & the likes of the Rees - Dart, Greenstone - Caples etc
The words "track" and "Motatapu" are both a misnomer. In its present state of development the "track" is actually only a "marked route" (albeit well marked) for much of its length. There are many steep up and downs and long sidles over rough,lumpy tussock country with no ground trail at all. There are 5 major saddles to cross and the days are long(6 - 9 hrs)
The "track" does not follow the Motatapu Valley at all, only briefly crossing the upper Motatapu valley. It actually traverses high & rugged mountain country of the Cardrona Range, parallel to, but well to the east of the main Motatapu Valley.
The "track" does not follow the route of the annual Wanaka to Arrowtown Motatapu mountain bike & marathon event (which is an "easy-medium" tramping route). This easy route is however closed to public access.
That said, its a great trip over some wonderful, but quite demanding country."
— pjdymock 19 April 200819 April 2008
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