A signpost on the forestry road marks the start of the track from the Hautapu River to Upper Te Hoe / Upper Whirinaki Huts. There is some room for parking a little further down the track. The road passes through forestry but is a legal road, and as such open to the public. Note, however, that logging activity may occasionally close access. The good news is that the last 6km to the roadend were logged in 2014 and as such this section shouldn't need to be closed again in the near future.

The road is 2wd accessible in most conditions.