Distance: 5.2 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Marked route - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 798m to 859m. Gain: 72m. Loss: 113m . Gradient: 2 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

Marked route (6/9)
Uncut route, with markers normally within sight

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

A poled tramping track follows the open valley floor of the Waiau a further 1.5km before climbing/sidling the western valleyside. After 3km the route joins a 4WD track an follows it down flats ont he western side of the river. After a further 1km a signpost marks the southern turnoff for Maling Pass and the St Jame Cycleway.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The 4WD track continues up the western bank for a further kilometer from the signposted Maling Pass turnoff before turning to cross the river. Instead of crossing the river, the poled tramping track continues up the western bank, sidling low and climbing occasionally for 3km before returning to the broad open river flats. The first beech forest on the valley floor is reached 1.5km later.