Last updated November 2026
The Dons Stream Walk is a one-hour return walk in Kaweka Forest Park, about 49 km from Napier, to a picnic spot on Dons Stream, the headwaters of the Donald River. It starts from the car park on Kaweka Road, follows the Makahu Spur Track for five minutes, then turns onto a wide, grassy track. That track sidles through open sub-alpine country and then mountain beech forest to the stream.
DOC grades it as an advanced tramping track, though the walk itself is short. When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had no alerts for the track, but check DOC before you go, use Plan My Walk and tell someone your plans.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Dons Stream Walk on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Car park off Kaweka Road, via the Makahu Spur Track
- Distance from the city
- About 49 km from Napier
- Walking time
- 1 hr return
- Track length
- About 1 km (calculated from the DOC track line)
- Grade
- Advanced (DOC: advanced tramping track)
- Dogs
- Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only
- Track type
- Tramping track
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Open when checked on 18 October 2026. Check DOC before you go.
- Track markers
- On marked bush tracks, DOC and most councils use orange triangles for the walking route. Triangles or tape in other colours, usually pink or blue, mark pest-control lines and traps. They can lead off the track, so don’t follow them.
About Dons Stream Walk
The Dons Stream Walk is a short, sidling walk from the Kaweka Road car park to a stream.
For the first five minutes you follow the Makahu Spur Track from the car park. Then the route turns left onto a wide, grassy track. This sidles first through open sub-alpine country and then into mountain beech forest.
The track ends at what DOC calls a pleasant picnic spot on Dons Stream. The stream is the headwaters of the Donald River.
It’s a good choice for a short outing with a picnic in the high country. If you decide to follow Dons Stream beyond the end of the track, DOC asks you to be cautious around the stream crossings.
Getting There and Access
DOC puts Kaweka Road 65 km north-west of Napier. From Napier, follow Puketitiri Road for 36 km, then turn left into Whittle Road; Kaweka Road is the first road on the right.
Whittle Road passes partly through farmland before reaching the park entrance, so leave all gates as you find them. The road may be closed at times in winter because of snow, and DOC asks drivers to watch for quarry trucks on Whittle Road and give them right of way where possible.
DOC recommends 4WD vehicles on the park’s access roads. Elsewhere in the park, when we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC’s page said Mackintosh car park was closed for forestry operations and Castle Rock Road was closed, but neither affects the Kaweka Road start.
Weather and Fire Rules
This is mountain country and DOC warns that visitors should be prepared for sudden weather changes, even on a short walk. Check the forecast and take warm, waterproof layers.
Extreme fire conditions can occur in summer, and the park is a restricted fire area, so a permit is needed to light a fire at any time of year, picnic spot included.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Dons Stream Walk: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Kaweka Forest Park: park-wide access conditions and the other tracks from Kaweka Road.
Plan My Walk: plan your trip, check the forecast and share your intentions before you set out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Dons Stream Walk take?
DOC times it at 1 hour return.
Where does it start?
From the car park off Kaweka Road. Follow the Makahu Spur Track for five minutes, then turn left onto the wide, grassy track.
Is it a good picnic spot?
DOC describes the end of the track as a pleasant picnic spot beside Dons Stream.
How hard is it?
DOC grades it as an advanced tramping track, but the walk is short and DOC describes the track as sidling.
Can I follow the stream further?
You can, but DOC asks you to be cautious around stream crossings beyond the end of the track.
Are dogs allowed?
Only with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes.
Is the road open in winter?
Whittle Road may be closed at times in winter because of snow. Check DOC before you go.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.