An unofficial route atop Nikau Creek Gully that heads toward the Ōrongorongo Valley.
It is a rough, lesser-known route rather than a formal walking track, and is mostly used as a bait line or by experienced trampers and trail runners. To reach it, you first need to walk part of the main Whakanui Track, from where East Whakanui branches off and can be used to create a more demanding loop down to the Ōrongorongo valley and return via the regular Whakanui Track, or vice versa.
The track can also be combined with the Old Whakanui Track and Whakanui Track to form another loop walk of about 5 hours.
However, like many older and unofficial bush routes, East Whakanui has little to no signage, making it easy to lose your way if you are unfamiliar with the area. The lack of signage and regular track maintenance, combined with dense undergrowth and stands of podocarp trees, means this part of the bush can be difficult to navigate. Even so, the scenery is exceptional, and the area is also home to kiwi.
DISCUSSION