Upper Whakapapaiti Valley and the Whakapapaiti River. Photo NC.

Only a couple of hours away from Whakapapa Village, this place feels wild and remote.
The patchy forest cover around Ruapehu is largely due to fires, and not all of them of volcanic origin. Subsequent regeneration of the beech forest is hampered by the ground's frequent bogginess.
In order to protect fragile boggy soils from the risk of depredation due to passage, long sections of boardwalk have been constructed. Another welcome effect is to make the going easier and faster for trampers.

Soon after this place the track crosses the Whakapapaiti River. When this photo was taken the bridge had been washed away and as elsewhere along the Round the Mountain Track the river had to be forded. In times of high water levels this can be dangerous and even impossible. Please read more in Safety Issues.