Distance: 6.3 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 310m to 761m. Gain: 172m. Loss: 623m . Gradient: 7 deg (Moderate)
Skills:

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

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

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

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

From Splugeons Shelter the benched marked tramping track descends on a moderate, steady gradient to a bridged crossing of the Leslie River.

It's a pleasant stroll from the bridge on the TL of the Leslie River to the Wilkinson Tk turnoff which is signposted 4km before Karamea Bend Hut.

1.5-3 hrs

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted junction of the Leslie-Karamea track with the Wilkinson Track, continue 3km along an easy cut/marked tramping track on the LT of the river to the Leslie River swingbridge.

From the bridge the track is benched into the hillside and makes a steady, moderate climb on a constant gradient, reaching Splugeons Shelter after 2.5km and a 500m climb.

2-4 hrs