Atene Skyline Track

The Atene Skyline Track is 15.43 km long. It is usually treated as a full-day tramp, and the route is not a perfect loop, so there is also about 2 km of road walking on Whanganui River Road to get back to the starting car park.

Yes. The Atene Skyline Track is generally considered difficult, with 674 m of elevation gain over 15.43 km. The track includes steep climbing from the river road, a high point at Taumata Trig of about 572 m, and a steep descent back toward Whanganui River Road.

The Atene Skyline Track starts from two access points on Whanganui River Road in Whanganui National Park, about 36 km from Whanganui. The track is an almost circular route with separate entry and exit points, so most walkers arrive by road and then return to the car park via the short road section at the end.

Parking for the Atene Skyline Track is on the side of Whanganui River Road near the track entrances. Because the route uses two separate access points rather than a true loop, it is worth checking which end is being used first and allowing for the final road walk back to the parked vehicle.

Yes. Atene Skyline Campsite sits around the halfway point of the track and is set up for trampers wanting to split the walk over two days. The campsite has drinking water, a shelter, and a toilet, making it the key overnight stop on the ridge.

The Atene Skyline Track is known for ridge-top views above the Whanganui River and surrounding forested hills. Key high points include Taumata Trig, the highest point on the track at about 572 m, and Taupiri Trig, reached after the route passes along sandstone bluffs.