Kaweka Kaimanawa Traverse Traditional Route

Kuripapango (Kawekas) to Kiko (Kaimanawas)

Desc

Follow the Hawkes Bays traditional tramping route from Kawekas to to Kaimanawas Kiko rd. This is a different route to the back country route on this website but also is as epic but goes across a backcountry route over Umakarikari

If you havent done the full Kaweka ridge i sugget to do this and some say this KKT is the traditional KKT according to locals we met. All the Hawkbes Bay locals were so friendly.

I have never done a route that feels like a traditional journey our settler forefathers would have done but it feels like a big journey from one region to another across some of the most remote pristine wilderness the NI has to offer.

Once you have climbed to the last highest point before descent to Kiko rd you really feel like you have achieved something mega.

I really rated the bivi bag to get really immersed in nature. When i was lying under the stars in my bivi bag it felt so good.Mind you we had a great spot by river no rain and was warm as. Day 1 was wet and wouldnt not been as keen to bivi

Vert 6k

Time about 30 hours with fast packs i reckon you could run it in 20

GPXS

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 1 Kuripapango to Mangaturuturu hut

Desc Started at bottom Kawekas via Kiwi Saddle hut Kiripapango

The two huts Venison we passed that had friendly hunters and the one we stayed in feel v remote and were welcome from the rain.

Dist 33

Vert 2900

Time -9 /10

Day 2

Desc Mangaturuturu hut to Maungaorangi Bivi site at bottom of main hill. We chose not to stay at Boyd hut in the main valley as day 3 is epic. The climb and descent to Cascade hut is the meatiest part of all 3 days for me.

We carried bivi bags and shelter