McKerrow Track, Remutaka Forest Park

Two trailheads, one ridge

Mt McKerrow, at 706 m, stands in Remutaka Forest Park. The route can begin either from Wainuiomata or from Catchpool Valley, giving walkers a choice of approach. From Wainuiomata, reach Whakanui Track from Hine Road and the end of Sunny Grove; Hine Road is the last road on the left when heading out toward the coast. DOC

Catchpool Valley is the other entry point, 10 km down the coast road behind Wainuiomata. From the Catchpool car park end, the path passes through regenerating podocarp hardwood scrub, then older podocarp hardwood and black and hard beech trees. The vegetation changes as the climb moves farther into the forest. DOC

Climbing toward the summit

From the Wainuiomata approach, reach the top of the hill and turn right at the signpost, following the ridge south along the eastern side of Wainuiomata Valley. The climb continues toward the top of Mt McKerrow. You know the summit has been reached when the uphill ridge route begins to descend. DOC

The summit itself is cloaked in silver beech, so trees obscure the view there. En route, however, vantage points offer panoramic peeks of Wainuiomata and the Hutt Valley. On the Catchpool side, a stretch of windthrow opens a view toward Wellington on a fine day. DOC

Choose the way down

Just below the summit, the track splits. Turn right to follow Clay Ridge and Five Mile Loop tracks down to Catchpool car park; this trip takes around six hours to complete. Turning left instead leads down to the Orongorongo Valley Track and the car park, adding about an hour to the tramp. DOC

These route choices shape the outing: the summit is not the end of the effort, and the descent commits you to a different line through the park. The listed grade is advanced, with a listed duration of 6 hr return. No distance is listed. DOC

Prepare for mountain conditions

Mountain weather can change quickly. Bring warm clothes, food and water, and stout footwear. Dogs are allowed on a leash only. For a one-way crossing between Wainuiomata and Catchpool, plan around the specified entry and exit points and the chosen descent rather than assuming a simple return to the start. DOC