Distance: Up to 25km one way
Approximate time: Approx 3hrs + one way but generally do an out and back of 2-3hrs
Location: Starts from the lookout at the top of the Pahiatua Track, ends at Ballance Bridge road. Best (nicest) walking is along the farm track in the middle, drive along the gravel road from the Pahiatua Track Lookout to a parking area among the windmills.
Driving time from Palmy: 20mins; 17km, add 10 mins if driving to the start of the farm track.
Terrain: Flat to gentle undulating
Track Surface: gravel road surface at either end, rutted farm track in the middle for 8km
Hazards:
- It is officially a road so in theory there could be 4WD but I have yet to see one, there are occasional quad bikes and mountain bikes.
- Can get very large puddles in heavy rain.
- Very exposed to the elements - wind, rain AND sun!
- If taking a dog be aware there is stock on either side of the road and the farm fences have good dog sized gaps. Don't take dogs during lambing season in consideration to the livestock.
- If starting from the pahiatua track lookout there is a house with a large number of dogs a few hundred metres along that bark madly and rush towards you, they've never come out the usually open gate at me… yet.
Suitable for: Gravel suitable for prams and everyone else! Farm track not pram friendly but good for others including mountain bikes and supervised toddlers.
Dogs: Allowed, controlled around stock.
Comments:
Great views of either side of the ranges on a nice day
The ballance bridge end is a reasonably steep gradient up the gravel road, the walk is definitely easier from the other end!
Google Map of approxmate start location: