Named because this track traverses State Forest 42, this is one of, if not THE, premier tracks in the North Island. Running from Kapoors Road 30km from the eastern end of SH47 through to Owhango village on SH4, it is normally ridden in a South to North direction mainly due to a rock slope/wall approximately halfway through the track which is easier to go down than up.
There are several river crossings on the 42nd Traverse and while they are not particularly technical the depth can range from ankle deep to crotch depth depending on the volume of recent rain and can be flowing quite swiftly so due care and consideration should be given before river crossings. Due to the catchment area it can also take a few days for river levels to drop after significant rain and the track can also be very slippery in places if wet due to a clay base, particular near the southern entrance.
Ten Man Hut
Ten Man Hut is a side track off the 42nd Traverse which should only be attempted by experienced riders on smaller bikes. It tightly winds it’s way through bush up to a 10 bed tramping hut. A separate GPS file and waypoints for Ten Man Hut are included within the 42 Traverse downloads.
Contributed by: @eddieb
Track type: Dirt track
Track composition: Bumpy, Muddy, Undulating
Slippery when wet?: Yes
Suitable for bikes <650cc? Intermediate
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Experienced
River crossings? Yes
Ten Man Hut
Track type: Dirt track
Track composition: Bumpy, Muddy, Steep
Slippery when wet?: Yes
Suitable for bikes <650cc? Experienced
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Not Recommended
River crossings? No, but some very big/deep puddles
This video is a bit shaky, it was filmed with an early low res GoPro camera stuck to the headlight of a very vibey 1981 R80G/S.
I rode only a short section of the main track at the Kapoors Rd end. It was the worst condition I have seen with mini bog holes created by 4WDs.
Did you take any pics Andy?
Did you take any pics Andy?
No photos of main track. Mini bog holes is probably exagarated but there are some greasy sections that will be trying on adv bikes.
https://youtu.be/ZCRnfsZ6e0o
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I rode the 42nd today and the track is in good condition, yes there is some challenging sections but that is why we ride it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH8t6wuqoO4
didn’t have time to do it all, went in from Owhango for about 1 ½ hours. had time to cool my feet though, lots of fun for a newbie taking it easy. though it’s so busy I don’t know if you’d want to zoom
Nice work @Robert Parton. How did the Himalayan go in there?
Pretty good I think. Last bike was a Vespa GTS 250. It went better than that :-). At this stage the bike is more capable than the rider. Hoping to change that with a bit more practice on the loose stuff.
First time doing the 42 a fortnight ago, wasn’t sure what to expect. Actually was kinda expecting some rough and mud, but it was in mostly good nick, if anything it was mostly dry and dusty, actually got stuck on first climb after stream from south as wheel dug down into the dry/crumbly hill, pushed out no worries. Also the washout that what looks like @Scubbo got stuck in is still there. Talking to one of the lodges managers, they have been letting 4×4 crews in early to help with maintenance of the track.
Soft Dusty Hill
Washout With Branches
Unfortunately didn’t get to complete the whole of the 42 as got sidetracked on a sidetrack to the 10man (actually only 8 beds if you would like to update the description @Eddieb?) We then decided to take a “shortcut” back to the 42 which took us 4 hours to do the 6.5km, in doing so cutting out some of the main track. Ahwell just have to come back again to finish it 😉
“Shortcut” But boy was it fun!
The Ten Man Hut itself is pretty well kitted out with sink, water, longdrop, fireplace, lighting via car batterys and even a shower that can we warmed via a fire stoked under the water cylinder.
Woopsie on Toptrack(10manhut)
Puddle on Top Track/10man
Ten Man Hut
Another photo angle of washout. I think you would be hard pressed to get a 4×4 through there.
As part of our adventure from Auckland to Christchurch, we mapped our route through the 42nd Traverse (excluding 10 man hut).
Having never done it before, we expected the worst and allowed 4hrs with a 1hr contingency, should there be any mechanical or sense of humour failures.
Arriving ta the start (Owhango end) it was nice and sunny, but within 10min the clouds rolled in and it turned into a rather wet ride.
The trail however was insanely fun! Fast and flowy. Most corners have a bit of a gravely camber to them so even in the wet they can be bermed. If one keeps their momentum up on the climbs, they’re nice and easy.
The river was pretty easy to cross, and before we knew it, we were out the other end. Total time Owhango to SH47, 1hr30min (average speed of approx. 31kph).
Just about to start.
At the end. Drenched, muddy, tired, but big smiles!
Im gonna give the 42 traverse ago on friday 28th. expecting to start SH47 and finishing at Owhango as per the . i usually just ride around exploring on my own. first time doing the 42 traverse. if anywants to join ill be at end Kapoors road where the junction is and where the 42 traverse track starts at 10.30 – 11.00am, changing my front sprocket for the track.
Was a good day. enjoyed it so much i rode back to the start. nice easy track good for light bikes with dirt treads. track is in good condition. some photos attached. i took photos of each stream so u can see. they not very deep and easy to just ride through them. there is a lot of other trails off of the 42nd traverse. while the 42nd was nice a dry and well maintained the trails that branch off are very wet and muddy with deep puddles. im planning to go back when its been dry for a while and check out the other trails.
in the mean time ill be exploring the trails deeper deeper in and around the back of Rotoma to Matata. just a tip if u gonna do those trails. take a machete and a portable spade. those trails have a lot of wash outs and fallen trees. might need to build ramps over trees etc. if any one planning on doing rotoma trails hit me up.
oops. files to big for some photos. oh well
They must be big files, pretty sure I have the upload limit per file set at 10mb.
Hey D lucas, can’t seem to send you a message but anytime you want to do Porters Rd etc give me a yell and I’ll join you. I’m in Whakatane.
i cant find away to message either. im thinking to head out there tomorrow. currently looking at the pikawai track. i think i may have been on the end of it at some stage. im cleaning air filter and doing oil change today. if i have time today ill head out to the tect all terrain park on pyes pa and do a few laps on the public trails. im based in ngongotaha, i can ride anywhere to a starting point. not bothered about gas
Are you in the group for Adv riding NZ on facebook? Flick me a message via facebook if you are and we can sort something out. I’ve gotta sort a waterleak at my house tomorrow otherwise I’d have joined you.
Messaging is done from within your profile, but why not organise a public event so others can join you?
i dont use facebook. just google and youtube. but let me know and ill join group. im back at work on 3rd jan. can take time off during year for long road trips. im planning on mapping as many trails as poss out back of rotoma – whatata area. i like it out there.
Has anyone completed the 42 Traverse recently, taking my 990R through in a couple of weeks, interested in track condition and time to complete. Thinking of riding up the track to the hut and turning it into a loop. Thank you in advance. Alex
Was in good condition mid Nov. Not sure what it’s like now as open to 4×4 traffic for the season, but it’s been pretty dry lately. As for making a loop to 10 man, not going to happen on a 990. Going in/out of the main track to 10man, called Top Track, might be ok if you have skills. The hardest part would be right before the hut where its drops down in and out of a creek that is steep and loose, probably not going to be very fun on a big bike. The other tracks leading back to 42 (Toi Toi, Climo’s, Mud Track etc) would be too difficult, deep bogs, mud and slick clay so pushing/towing needed.
2 of us will tackle the track this Saturday 9/2 on KTM twins (990&1190) so message me on FB if keen to join!
I rode 42 traverse with a loop up to 10 man hut last week and the Fisher track, only one reasonably technical bit about mid way on the 42 traverse a fairly steep ascent if travelling South to North
Chriscole thanks! What bike were you on?
Hi Jan, I was on my dr 650 my wife was on her XT250 and my son and his girlfriend were on YZ125’s. The steepish ascent is just after a stream crossing round a fairly sharp bend it isn’t very long.
Today I rode the 42 Traverse solo on a KLX150L. The transit time was 2 hours, including stops, from Kapoors Rd carpark-SH47 to Ohwhango-SH4. I encountered one group of knackered mountain bikers and a small digger creating drainage points for the track (lots of loose debris in places) from about the half way mark.
There was an empty Mitsubushi station wagon (yes, a family car!) that was firmly wedged in a 4×4 rut about 9 km in from Kapoors Rd carpark!
Rode the 42nd Traverse on Saturday 16th and it’s had some work done. The track has had all the interesting bits taken out. Very easy to ride at the moment, just dusty.
Hi.
New to the site, how kosher is it to take the boy ( 10 year old ) on a KTM 65 on some of these trails? Down in Ohakune over the summer and wanting to get out and have some fun. Or does anyone know of some good trails to take him on if its not a good idea around here?
Thanks
Go for it, you won’t have any problems.
Tomorrow’s mission, will post let you all know how we get on?
Hi @Yeager
I’d think the 42nd might be a bit much but Pokaka Mill area might be suitable along with Fishers Track. Also have a look at Ratamaire Road and Ohakune Domain.
Remember though that all of these tracks are legal roads and strictly speaking require any vehicle to have a WOF and Reg and may have other traffic on them. The best options is probably Pokaka Mill, though there may be campers in there that won’t appreciate and 10 year old zipping around, you won’t know till you get there.
Several 4×4 clubs spent a weekend clearing out the 42nd Traverse track recently and I’m told the track “is in really good shape at present. Several muddy sections now that you would want a fairly knobby tyre for, but once it (mostly) dries out over summer it should be a pretty cruisy run.”
Hi there, how long will this route take at an adventure pace taking in the scenery?
Cheers
Hi we did it last weekend it’s about 1-12 hrs
Thanks!
Track ridden Friday Feb 12th 2021 from North to South. Track conditions were excellent.99% dry and hard. River/Ford crossings were low. Ten man hut track was also done. Similar track conditions. Hardest part of the Ten man hut track is the final 50m before the hut where you drop down a small descent and do a hard right hand turn to a very short climb to the hut. Picture shows track from hut.
Hi Dave,
I asked a similar question on the Might Waikato Adventure Riders group chat, we had a guy that did the 42nd last week. He said the track conditions were good and that it was dry.
As for fuel at Owhango, I do not think there is a petrol station there. The National Park has one, possibly a 14 minute ride from Owhango.
To ride this, does the bike need to be registered or can one trailer in a bike?
You can trailer it in. Think most vehicles going there isn’t registered. 😉
Wow, amazing!