Last updated October 2026
The No Man’s Road area tramping tracks lead from No Man’s Road to a network of DOC backcountry huts in the eastern Ruahine Forest Park, west of Hastings. DOC grades the tracks Advanced, with legs from 1 hour to 5–6 hours and about 17.5 km of track in total.
Huts include Diane’s Hut, Dead Dog Hut, Herrick’s Hut and Ruahine Hut, plus historic Shutes Hut. No Man’s Road is a 22 km 4WD road reached through Big Hill Station, and you need an access permit to cross the station. When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had an alert for 1080 pest control in Ruahine Forest Park.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for No Man's Road area tramping tracks on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOCTrack facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.
Practical Information
- Start
- Points along No Man’s Road (4WD), reached via Big Hill Road
- Distance from the city
- About 45 km from Hastings
- Walking time
- 1 hour (to Diane’s Hut) to 5–6 hours (Ruahine Hut to Shutes Hut)
- Track length
- About 17.5 km in total
- Grade
- Advanced
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Huts
- Diane’s Hut, Dead Dog Hut, Herrick’s Hut and Ruahine Hut (DOC); Shutes Hut (historic)
- Access
- Permit required to cross Big Hill Station; No Man’s Road is 4WD only
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Open with a DOC alert when checked on 18 October 2026 (1080 predator control in Ruahine Forest Park; not safe to hunt for food or have dogs in the area for up to 8 months). Check DOC before you go.
About the No Man’s Road Area Tramping Tracks
The 22 km No Man’s Road climbs to the open tops of the north-eastern Ruahine Range, and from it hunters and trampers can reach a network of huts and tracks.
Lessong’s Monument, which the surveyor Lessong built in the 1880s, is 5 km along No Man’s Road from the Ruahine Hut turn-off. About 800 m beyond it, a track heads north to Diane’s Hut (about 1 hour).
From Diane’s Hut a track climbs steeply to the Taruarau Ridge and Taruarau Bivvy (2 to 2.5 hours), through beech forest and tussock scrub with views to the Kaweka Range.
Three kilometres from Lessong’s Monument, another track drops steeply east to Dead Dog Hut (about 2 hours). From there, follow the river about 3 km to a signposted side track that leads a further 3 km to Herrick’s Hut (2.5 to 3 hours).
Ruahine Hut is reached by a short 4WD track, 5 km along No Man’s Road from the park boundary. The track to Shutes Hut (5 to 6 hours) starts at the top of the clearing and heads north through regenerating mānuka, kānuka and beech forest.
Shutes Hut, built in 1920 of stone and hand-packed cement, was home to rabbiter Alex Shute, who planted an orchard nearby. DOC notes the area is popular for hunting and the Taruarau River is known for trout fishing.
The Huts
Ruahine Hut is a standard eight-bunk hut at 920 m, with a woodburner, that can see heavy rain and snow in winter. Dead Dog Hut is a standard six-bunk hut built in 1959 with an open fire.
Diane’s Hut is a basic six-bunk hut built in memory of Diane Tressider, and Herrick’s Hut is a basic five-bunk hut largely isolated from other tracks.
DOC lists standard huts at $15 per night for adults (18+), $7.50 for youth (5–17) and free for children 0–4; buy Backcountry Hut Tickets before you go and put them in the honesty box, or use a Backcountry Hut Pass. Basic huts are free. Check each DOC hut page for current details.
DOC notes that No Mans Hut and Te Koau Hut are privately owned and not managed by DOC.
Access Permit and 4WD Road
Access to No Man’s Road crosses private land at Big Hill Station, and DOC says you must have an access permit. The road is 4WD only and not suitable for 2WD vehicles.
Big Hill Road is about 45 km from Hastings (60 km from Napier). Follow State Highway 50 to Maraekakaho, turn right into Kereru Road, and at Kereru turn right into Big Hill Road.
Planning Your Trip
These are backcountry tracks for experienced trampers. When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had a predator control alert for Ruahine Forest Park: 1080 bait was spread on 5 March 2026, and DOC advises against hunting for food or taking dogs into the area for up to 8 months.
Warning signs stay up until the caution period ends. Check DOC before you go, check the forecast and tell someone your plans. Plan My Walk is a handy way to plan and share your trip.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: No Man’s Road area tramping tracks: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Plan My Walk: plan your trip, check the forecast and share your intentions with someone you trust.
Hastings District Council: parks, reserves and local road information for the Hastings district.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get onto No Man’s Road?
Via Big Hill Road and Big Hill Station. DOC says you need an access permit to cross the station, and the road is 4WD only.
Which huts can I reach?
Diane’s Hut, Dead Dog Hut, Herrick’s Hut, Ruahine Hut and historic Shutes Hut.
How long are the tracks?
From about 1 hour to Diane’s Hut to 5–6 hours from Ruahine Hut to Shutes Hut.
Do I need to book the huts?
DOC says to buy Backcountry Hut Tickets for standard huts or use a Backcountry Hut Pass. Basic huts are free.
How hard are the tracks?
DOC grades them Advanced, with steep climbs and descents.
Are dogs allowed?
No. DOC lists the tracks as no dogs.
Is there a current alert?
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had a 1080 predator control alert for Ruahine Forest Park, advising against hunting for food or taking dogs into the area for up to 8 months.
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