Its area is 1,150 square kilometres (440 sq mi),[1] and its highest point, a peak called Mitre, is at 1571 m above sea level.

The pests will be controlled by aerial drops of 1080 poison with the goal of restoring native plant, insects and birds including kākā, kākāriki and kererū.

It starts at Putara in the north-east, near a farm or track previously called Shorman[citation needed] and finishes at Kaitoke in the south.

The classic route follows the tops of almost the entire Tararua main range, it is approximately 80 km long with 7000 to 8000 metres of ascent and descent.

There is virtually no level ground nor straight sections of track and the whole route is very exposed to the frequent storms that sweep across the Tararuas.