Distance: 6km one way
Approximate time: 1hr 30mins down, about 1hr 45mins up
Location: Top end on Ridge Road near Pohangina, Bottom end on Kuku road in Pohangina
Driving time from Palmy: 32 mins to Kuku road end, 52mins to Ridge Road End (about 10km of good but narrow windy gravel road)
Terrain: Initially steep in parts from Kuku Road end, then flattens out to a gradual climb.
Track Surface: From Kuku road end, starts in pine forest for about 2km, changes to bush for approx 1km then openish farmland. Generally well graded, narrow in parts.
Hazards:
- NOTE there is a steep drop off the side almost the entire way along this walk.
- Track is narrow with steep drop in parts and can be slippery, reasonably recent slip
has a particularly narrow part with a cliff, there is a five minute alternative route to avoid
this but that is longer, narrower and still has a steep drop, would go for the short route myself!
- There are fourteen stiles to cross.
- Near Kuku road end there are a few electric fences including some you go over on the stiles, some of which have signs to warn you, some don't, all are on.
- Near Ridge Road end there are a lot of thistles for little feet to catch and little hands to grab at.
- There are often sheep on the farmland part, not a hazard as such unless you don't like sheep.
Suitable for: Babies in carriers, older children, not suitable for prams or any children who might wander off the cliff.
Dogs: Not allowed
Comments:
- Track is closed for lambing in Sept and Oct
- Ideally this is a one way walk as both ways would take a while; ideally with a baby this is probably going up as going down can be steep and slippery. For an easier option where you don't have to arrange transport you can go partway and back. The
far
mland part from Ridge Road is an easier, wider and safer track if you want to take this option.
Google Map Kuku Road End:
Google Map Ridge Road End:
Topo Map:
www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/trck31291/Branch-Road-Walkway/Manawatu-Wanganui