| Northern Start |
Hewitt Rd |
| Southern End |
Otautau-Tuatapere Rd |
| Distance |
4 km |
| Time |
1.5 hours |
| Tramping Standard |
Tramping track |
Description
(North to South) |
This track is through exotic forest and then across farm land. It is entirely on private property with access being provided by 2 land owners - Matariki Forests and Mike Whale.
Access - A number of conditions apply to enable walking access to co-exist with farm and forestry operations.
These conditions including giving prior notification of intentions before using the exit/entry at the Otautau Tuatapere Rd end. To fulfil this obligation please phone the farm manager between the hours of 9 am and 9 pm on 03 225 5458 or 021 488 290 and take directions as necessary. If no one answers it is permissible to leave a message stating name, phone number, and likely day/time of arrival. There is no cell phone reception at the trailheads so make calls well in advance.
The remaining conditions are set out below and it’s important to comply, both out of respect for the land owners and to help ensure Te Araroa is able to continue to use this critical link:
- Access is only for tramping parties of 8 or fewer members and during daylight hours.
- Stick to the marked track and use stiles where provided.
- Give way to stock and farm/ forestry operations.
- No camping, fires, vehicles (including bicycles), horses, dogs, or firearms.
- Carry all rubbish out.
- No commercial activity, including guiding or organized events.
If you encounter staff moving stock en route then step well aside and wait quietly until all animals have passed by. Please take direction from farm staff as necessary.
The track starts at the forest entry gate near the top of Hewitt Rd. If arriving by car it’s best to park near the bottom of the road and walk up. Continue up Hewitt Rd beyond the gate and through the forest. This to a junction with Loop Rd.
Turn left onto Loop Rd, the first of 4 junctions. Stay left again at the second junction, right at the third, and left at the fourth junction.
From the forestry road end a foot track leads down between the pine tree rows to the farm boundary. It’s from here that you need prior permission to continue.
Once across the boundary fence, turn left onto the farm track and descend. Markers show the way down the track and across a paddock to a pine shelter-belt. The track then turns right and follows this line of trees to a gate. Through the gate the track crosses a bridge and then heads diagonally to the right towards a gap in another shelter-belt. Once through the gap the roadside stile is visible ahead to the right.
There is parking opposite the trailhead. |
| Closest Town(s) |
Otautau |
| Managed by |
Te Araroa Trust |
| Contact |
Te Araroa Trust |
| Thanks to |
Matariki Forests and Mike Whale |
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Please email us on info@teararoa.org.nz if this description needs updating or the track needs maintenance. Feel free to adopt it! Te Araroa depends on you to make this trail a success.
