Description
(North to South) |
This is a sometimes steep, rough tramping track with some back country road walking.
From Honikiwi Rd, cross the stile onto a formed farm road and follow the orange markers. 500m after the rural airstrip, look out for double orange markers. It is not obvious but the track goes over a stile here (while the formed farm road continues on) and into a bush track on an old timber trail.
Keep following the orange markers over high point #405 and past #513 – Omarama, and through to a woolshed near the N end of Mahoe Rd.
Take the gravel Mahoe Road which extends beyond the woolshed, and keep heading south to a DOC sign "Mahoe Forest". Turn east, (left) onto a track across the forest, leading through to an old forest road at grid reference (GR) 778, 706. Cross the road and follow markers guiding you around in an arc to the east. At GR 784,706 begin the zig-zag down a steep hill, and at the bottom of the slope, follow the fence line to reach a stile at GR 799,702. After crossing the stile you are on private property, so keep strictly to the marked route. Cross a stream at GR 799,701, heading south-east, then another small stream, changing to a north-westerly direction to cross a second stile at GR 802,698. Cross the stile then keep close to the fenceline to reach a marker taking you into the forest at GR 802,693. Follow the markers through to the northern end of Ngatapuwae Road at GR 818, 651.
Walk the length of Ngatapuwae Rd (S/SE) into Te Anga Rd. 20m along it (SW from the junction), look for orange markers over a stile into DOC bush. The track goes down a limestone cliff face on private land and joins up with DOC's Waitomo Walkway which meanders beside the Waitomo Stream through a mixture of shady forest and open farmland. Turn east and follow the track into Waitomo Village. (Note: The Waitomo Walkway crosses Te Anga Rd, so it is possible to walk the final 1 km to Waitomo Village along the road). |
