This section of Te Araroa crosses east west over Arapaepae and connects the Mangahao Makahika Track leading north toward Shannon with Levin.
Getting there.
Coming from the Makahika Track exit, the trail starts at a locked gate 1.3 km down Gladstone Rd and 300m before the Makahika Outdoor Centre.
From Levin, follow Queen St East toward the hill and turn left into Denton Rd. It is 100m to the car park and a further 50 metres to the start of the track
Track Description
The track is 7.3 km with an elevation gain of 250metres and can be walked from either direction. Easy walking time considered as 2 hours 30 minutes either way or 5 hours return. Being close to Levin, the area is frequently used by local walkers, joggers and mountain bikers.
From the Denton Rd parking area, a sign located inside the locked gate shows the trail route through the Matariki Forest and estimated times.
| Arapaepae Lookout |
3.5 km |
1 ¼ hours |
| Spencer Junction |
4.7 km |
1 ¾ hours |
| Gladstone Rd |
7.3 km |
2 ½ hours |
The trail ascends on a steady gradient through the pine forest until it reaches a junction on the ridgeline (2.3km) where it turns left and follows the ridge north. Adjacent to the forestry road are mountain bike trails with numerous jumps. For safety reasons, walkers are requested to stay off these tracks.
Walking north through the cleared areas, there are views east to the Tararua Ranges and west over Levin and the Horowhenua with the best view of all being from a large cleared area “The Arapaepae Lookout” which is 80m from the Ridge Rd junction. From here Kapiti Island is easily visible and on clear days the South Island, Mt Taranaki and Ruapehu can also be seen.
Following Ridge Rd for a further 1.2 km to Spencer Junction, there are good views into the Ohau and Makahika Valleys. The trail then descends and passes through an area of native bush, designated the Bentons Bush Covenant and managed by the Department of Conservation. Nearing the bottom the trail passes an old rock quarry site and crosses the bridged Makahika Stream before reaching the locked gate onto Gladstone Rd.
Walkers starting from the Gladstone Rd end should allow an extra half hour for the climb to Spencer Junction and a similar time saving on descent from Arapaepae Lookout to Denton Rd.
|
