Distance: 29.4kms
Grade: 3
Average Time: 2 hours
Start: base of Ohakune Mountain Road
Finish: Loop backs to the start
Your journey begins at the base of Ohakune Mountain Road, where the remnants of an old village can be seen, including fragments of a pharmacy and cooking utensils. As you progress, keep an eye out for the iconic colonial buildings across the paddocks, once bustling around the train station at the start of the adjoining Ohakune Old Coach Road. The trail gently ascends through the forest, crossing small bridges and weaving through the ngāhere. You’ll briefly join the Mangawhero Forest Walk (share with care) before navigating across the road to rejoin a well-preserved section of the Bennett and Punch Tramway. This part of the trail travels through dense bush to a new bridge built upon the original piles of a historic multi-span bridge. te Kawekaweā Kawea mai rā i te tōmatomatotanga o te tōmairangi E rongo koe i te Pīpīwharauroa. Kūī! Kūī! Whitiwhiti ora! Kia whakapaenga ki te Manu Tāwhiorangi Ka puta Ka ora nā ii! Listening to the cry of the Kawekawea. It brings an abundance of blessings. You hear the Pīpīwharauroa, New life! New life! It is sanctioned by Manu Tāwhiorangi. I live! Travel safe and enjoy the spirit of this remarkable trail. Kia kaha, kia maia, kai manawanui! At a junction, turning right will lead you through wetlands and regenerating tussocks, a reminder of the forest once cleared for logging. Even today, you’ll notice old stumps and remnants of iron pins from tramway sleepers scattered along the path. The highest section takes you over a 19-metre bridge, offering views of both the mountain and the surrounding bush. Turn around there (we’re still building the next stage). Turn here to return via the campground loop. As you head downhill, you’ll pass the Ohakune water intake, glide over bridges, and traverse regenerating bush, eventually reaching a DOC campsite and facilities. The loop reconnects with the original track, taking you back to the start.
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