New Zealand Walk: Whareroa Farm Park and tracks to Orange Hut and Wainui Peak

It was a 9.25am start in the mild overcast conditions that were to persist for the day for 13 MTSC Wednesday Trampers assembled at the Whareroa Park entrance. The group was there to walk the Whareroa Farm Park and tracks to Orange Hut and Wainui Peak in winter.

We were all dressed for winter so brows were soon moistened as we toiled up the usual grass track up to the top road.

The view across to Kapiti Island was unusual for the muted tones of sky and sea; see photograph. A little way up the road we all gathered then a group of five set off at a sparkling pace intent on having lunch and turning at the Orange Hut.

For them the round trip was ~ 20km with a total climb of 534m (360m to the top then 174m down to the hut then up again). See double hump profile plot. They also use an estimated 3334 kcal.

At the entrance to the pine forest the remaining eight trampers split into two groups. A group of three set out to explore a route up to the Wainui Peak (774m) and got within an estimated less than an hour tramp from the peak with the suggestion of a return for a visit to the peak in summer with less exposure to cold winds.

The remaining group tramped some distance down from the peak into the

pine forest then turned to liase for a lunch with Jenny who had travelled from Wellington and was guided to rendezvous by cell phone.

This group, plus the Wainui Peak explorers, made their way down from the top road by a recently opened poled,ridge top, route. This route was signed as “steep” which it was but found to be only a little steeper than the route up to the road used earlier.

This area of the park is no longer grazed making the stream a source of drinking water as used in the visitor facilities at the car park It made a pleasant alternative descent loop with total distance tramped of 11.5km, see profile plot.

By about 2.30pm all trampers had safely returned to the car park and suitably changed and spruced up, made their way to River Cottage for coffee and cakes. This was an enjoyable winter tramp with no rain, little mud and low streams.

Above: Looking back with Kapiti Island in the background.

Above: The group stops for a chat and bite to eat among the pine trees. Below: After all the rain during the season there was a stretch of water on the road.