Just a little south of Otaki a road runs inland to Otaki Forks, the last few kilometres very narrow and very winding. This is one of the entrances to the walking tracks of the Tararua Ranges.
The Arcus Track is a loop track of about an hour or so starting just out from the first (day visitors’) carpark. We visited last November and this report has been waiting a while for completion, but better late than never. In the meantime, DoC have completed a brand new suspension bridge across the river, much flasher than its predecessor and worth a visit for the engineering alone.
The track runs for the most part through scrub and once-was-farmland slowly reverting to something like bush. It’s pleasant more for it’s frequent long distance views down the valley than for anything you’ll actually walk through, but if you’re short of time and in the area, worth a try.
There is a campground right at the end of the road for those wanting to stay a little longer.